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Dodgers introduce No.1 pick Zach Lee

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The Dodgers introduced their No. 1 draft pick, Zach Lee, to the Dodger Stadium crowd before the game Wednesday. He also met his future teammates and the media.

Lee agreed to a $5.25-million contract over five years on Monday.

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Some quick observations:

-- He’s a bright kid. Remember, he’s 18. Two months ago the right-hander was in high school.

-- Lee said at some point in his life he would like to return to college -- he was in camp as a freshman quarterback with the LSU football team when he signed with the Dodgers -- to get his degree in bio-mechanical engineering; he wants to design prosthetics.

-- He speaks softly but seemed at ease sitting in a stadium suite surrounded by a dozen reporters. Of course, he did get some early media practice at LSU.

-- He said he tried to keep an open mind throughout the signing process. ‘I really wanted to keep all options open until I was forced to make a decision,’ he said. ‘I felt I handled the situation the way I thought I should.’

-- Lee said he knew his decision to forgo football surprised most people, but he wanted to let the process play itself out. He’s already the master of the non-answer answer. Asked if there was one thing that ultimately pushed him toward baseball and away from football, he said: ‘It’s all a personal decision, a personal choice. Anything can happen.’

-- He will next fly to the Dodgers camp in Phoenix. He is not expected to pitch this season. ‘He hasn’t thrown since May,’ said assistant general manager Logan White. ‘We’re going to be taking our time with him.’

-- Steve Dilbeck

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