Lee shares much with Tigers’ star

Tim Graham

Monday, June 2, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.

THE comparisons are inevitable, but not as obvious as one might think.

They both play first base. They both have chiseled physiques. They both swing freely but mightily. They both draw high praise within the baseball community as stars in the making.

But there's another similarity between Derrek L. Lee of the Las Vegas Stars and Tony Clark of the Detroit Tigers.

"I've heard a few comparisons, but not because of baseball," said Lee. He was relaxing in the Stars clubhouse Sunday, his eyes rarely diverting from the television. The Chicago Bulls were playing the Utah Jazz in the first game of the NBA Finals.

"We both played basketball."

Today, it's hard to imagine either shooting baskets. Sure, it would seem proper. Lee is listed at 6-foot-5, but looks even taller. Clark is 6-7.

But for baseball fans, it would be a shame if Lee and Clark chose the hardwood over hardball.

When it came time for Lee to choose, he liked what the San Diego Padres had to offer. Taking him with the 14th overall pick in the 1993 draft out of El Camino High in Sacramento, Calif., the Padres -- with the help of a hefty signing bonus -- were able to lure Lee away from the letter of intent he signed to play small forward at North Carolina.

"The Padres made it pretty easy," said Lee, whose father Leon Lee was a superstar in Japan. "I was always better at baseball over basketball, so when they offered me the money, it turned into an opportunity I couldn't pass up."

Now San Diego hopes Lee develops into the type of player Clark has become. Clark, who hooped it up with San Diego State and Arizona while playing in the minors, has developed into one of baseball's top power hitters.

The switch-hitting Clark ranks fourth in the American League with 17 home runs and third with 49 RBIs. His batting average hovers around .300.

Although Lee's power numbers are down this year, he has proven he can generate offense. Last year at Class AA Memphis, he led the demanding Southern League with 34 homers and 104 RBIs. He also hit .280, scored 98 runs and stole 13 bases -- and struck out 170 times in 134 games (Clark whiffed 127 times in 100 games with Detroit last year).

Before spring training broke, Sports Illustrated tabbed Lee the No. 1 power prospect in the minors.

"It didn't add pressure," Lee said. "It was pretty nice. It was the first time I had been rated first in anything. But aside from that, it doesn't mean anything."

Lee currently is batting .302 with four homers and 25 RBIs after going 0-for-4 with two strikeouts in Las Vegas' 7-0 loss to Tacoma.

"Derrek will get hot one day, and he won't cool off for 15 years," former Stars manager and current Padres coach Tim Flannery recently told the San Diego Union-Tribune.

Current Stars manager Jerry Royster is further impressed with Lee's defense. He has survived failed attempts by the Padres to turn him into a left fielder and a third baseman.

"He's already got Gold Glove potential at first base," Royster said.

Lee was granted his first shot at the majors last month when Padres first baseman Wally Joyner turned an ankle. Lee went 6-for-30 (.200) with six runs and one RBI. He struck out 16 times, including each of his final seven at-bats.

"It was a dream come true to reach the majors," Lee said. "It was a chance to see what it's all about, get my feet wet. Now I need to work on my all-around game and stay consistent."