2016 Dodgers review: Zach Lee

Zach Lee made the majors in 2016 with the Dodgers, though he did not pitch.

What went right

Lee lost out in the race for Dodgers fifth starter to open the season, but was 3-0 with a 1.56 ERA after three starts in Triple-A Oklahoma City, with just one walk in 14 strikeouts.

That earned Lee a call up to the majors on April 23, though more as insurance in relief for a pair of games in the hellmouth of Coors Field. Lee was with the team for three days, though he did not pitch.

What went wrong

After getting optioned back to Triple-A, Lee put up a 5.91 ERA in 10 starts, including 11 home runs allowed in 56⅓ innings.

Lee was traded to the Mariners in exchange for infielder Chris Taylor on June 19, 2016.

After one (bad) major league start in six years in the Dodgers organization, Lee was never going to be viewed in the organization as anything other than through lens of a failed first-round pick. In theory, a trade should have been good for him, with a change of scenery and free from any unrealistic expectations of him.

But it got even worse after he joined Seattle. Lee made 14 starts with Triple-A Tacoma, and was 0-9 with a 7.39 ERA, with opposing batters hitting .313/.368/.489 against him.

2016 particulars

Age: 24

Stats: 7-5, 4.89 ERA in 13 starts for Triple-A Oklahoma City, 57 K, 15 BB, 73⅔ IP

Salary: n/a

Game of the year

On April 7, Lee pitched six scoreless innings for Oklahoma City, allowing only three singles. It was his only scoreless outing of the season.

Roster status

Lee was designated for assignment by the Mariners on Dec. 3, then claimed by the Padres on Dec. 13, reuniting with former Dodgers draft chief Logan White.