Hao-Yu Lee's strides at the plate since return to Tigers are obscuring an ugly fact

Hao-Yu Lee looked like he might be on the cusp of a breakout on June 1, when he collected his second homer of the year in only his fourth multi-hit game of the season, but he was the easy cut when Gleyber Torres came off the IL the very next day.

Still, Lee wasn't gone for long; he was recalled just 11 days later when Ty Madden was optioned and after Zack Short had been DFA'ed. He continued to swing a solid bat in the immediate aftermath of the promotion: 5-for-9 with an RBI and an extra-base hit.

It's the most minuscule of sample sizes, but Lee defenders have argued that what he really needs to live up to top prospect potential is consistent playing time, which he was getting far less of before he was sent down. He's played in every game since coming back, and the bat is starting to work.

But even if it continues to improve, there's still a part of his game that desperately needs some attending to. Lee doesn't pass the eye test when it comes to his defense, but the numbers back it up. He has a 10th percentile OAA and -0.2 defensive WAR.

Hao-Yu Lee needs the defense to match his improving offense if he wants to stick with Tigers long-term

Lee has spent the vast majority of his minor league career at second base, but he hasn't exactly been highly-touted for his infield defense even as a top prospect for the Tigers. AJ Hinch has had him pinch-hit in the DH spot once since he debuted in mid-April, but it would be a little hard to justify DH'ing a bottom-third hitter in the order, especially when the Tigers have always liked to keep the role fluid.

Defense has been the Tigers' kiss of death this season — well, if we're being honest, there have been many, but defense is a big one. So far, Lee's most notable play to date was a boggled ground ball, which Kevin McGonigle then lunged at to try to make a play at first.

With Torres now back on the IL, Lee needs to step up on both sides of the ball. The Tigers' middle infield defense is getting a little better as McGonigle makes real strides at shortstop, but fans need to see that they have a reliable double-play combo even with the veteran on the shelf.

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