Athlete of the Week: Dylan Lee

Braden River High senior left fielder Dylan Lee went 6-for-6 with a home run, five walks, two RBIs and a stolen base in three games this week against Venice, Lakewood Ranch and Manatee. Lee is batting .778 through the first four games of the season with a 1.250 slugging percentage and an on-base percentage of more than .850.

Last month, Lee signed a national letter of intent to play baseball for St. Johns River State College.

"I’ve been more patient. I’ve been waiting for my pitch to hit. I’m not trying to do too much. I just try to get in my count and wait for the best pitch they give me.

I like hitting. I like having all of the attention and pressure on me. I want the game to be in my hands.

You always have to be on your toes in the outfield. Not many balls come your way, so you always have to be ready for that one that does.

I like the camaraderie of my team and being with my friends, but in the summer, I like playing really good competition with the Florida Burn.

If I weren’t playing in the outfield, I’d want to be playing first or third base — the corners of the infield. I’m more relaxed there. I started playing left field the summer before my sophomore year. There was an empty spot, so my coaches decided to try me out there.

It means a lot to play for Braden River. My brother, Blayne, played here, and I wanted to keep the Lee name in the school. I want to keep it up to what he had going.

(Los Angeles Angels outfielder) Mike Trout gets his pitch and doesn’t go after it. I like how he approaches his at-bats. "