Lee Receives Double-A Promotion
Published on August 3, 2015 under Carolina League (CarL1)
Frederick Keys News Release
FREDERICK, Md. -The Frederick Keys are excited to announce that Chris Lee has been promoted to the Double-A Bowie Baysox. It is the left-hander's first call-up to the Eastern League, while he becomes the 12th Frederick player to advance to either Double-A or Triple-A this season. In a corresponding move, right-handed pitcher Garrett Cortright has joined the Keys from Low-A Delmarva.
In 14 starts with the orange and black this season, Lee, 22, went 3-6 with a 3.07 ERA over 76.1 innings. During that stretch, he walked 29, struck out 48 and held opponents to a .266 average. Left-handers really struggled against the southpaw, batting just .158 (12-for-76). Acquired via trade from the Astros on May 19, Lee is a combined 6-8 with a 3.36 ERA over 21 games (20 starts) between Frederick and Low-A Quad Cities this season.
The Floridian joins the Baysox after his best start of the year on Saturday. Facing Myrtle Beach, Lee tossed seven shutout innings, while scattering four hits and striking out six. It equaled the longest start of his career and capped off an impressive stretch of pitching by the former Astros farmhand. In his last seven Advanced-A outings, Lee registered a 1.47 ERA (43 IP/7ER) and held opponents to a .223 batting average. Six of those went down as quality outings, while in all seven games, Lee gave up two runs or less.
Among Keys starting pitchers, Lee fared the best in July, going 1-3 with a 1.75 ERA. Also the best month of his pro career, the lefty trimmed his season ERA from 5.13 to 3.38. Only relief pitchers, Cody Wheeler (0.69 ERA) and Donnie Hart (1.29 ERA) fared better on the Keys pitching staff.
Originally selected by Houston in the fourth round of the 2011 draft out of Santa Fe (FL) College, Lee made seven appearances (six starts) with Quad Cities before joining the Keys. During that time, he went 3-2 with a 4.11 ERA over 30.2 innings before being acquired by the Orioles for two international bonus slots.
One of the South Atlantic League's top relief pitchers, Cortright, 23, receives his first call-up to the Keys. In 34 games, the right-hander went 3-1 with a 0.96 ERA to go along with 12 saves. Surrendering only 13 total runs in 47 innings, Cortright has not allowed an earned run since May 30 (spanning 26.2 innings). At the time of his promotion, the New York native was tied for fourth in the SAL in saves (12), fourth in games finished (23) and third among relievers in lowest BB/9IP ratio (1.34). He has walked only seven in 47 innings this season, and has not issued a free pass since June 26 (spanning 12 games).
The Keys are off on Monday, before beginning a six-game roadtrip on Tuesday night in Salem. Right-hander Mikey O'Brien (0-3, 2.42) is scheduled to start for the Keys against Red Sox lefty Trey Ball (8-8, 3.69). First pitch is slated for 7:05 p.m and the broadcast can be heard on 1450 AM The Source and frederickkeys.com. The Keys return home on Tuesday, August 11 when the Lynchburg Hillcats come to town for a 7:00 p.m first pitch. For tickets, fans can call the Keys at 301-815-9939 or visit frederickkeys.com.
Carolina League Stories from August 3, 2015
- Lee Receives Double-A Promotion - Frederick Keys
- Jonathan Martinez Wins Pitcher of the Week - Myrtle Beach Pelicans
- Former Dash Slugger Thompson Earns First MLB Call - Winston-Salem Dash
- C Jeremy Dowdy promoted to Double-A Birmingham - Winston-Salem Dash
- Paulino Becomes Third Straight Hillcat to Win Carolina League Player of the Week - Lynchburg Hillcats
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