Twins Daily 2021 Top Prospects: #2 SS Royce Lewis

[Seth Stohs]

Royce Lewis has been the Twins Daily choice for the Twins #1 prospect each of the past three years. This year, he drops to #2 on the list, but his ceiling remains very high. He's got all the tools and the intangibles including a willingness to learn.Age: 21 (DOB: 6-5-1999)

2020 Stats: Played at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul.

ETA: 2022

2020 Ranking: #1

 

National Top 100 Rankings

BA: 29 |MLB: 17 | ATH: 46 |BP: 31 |ESPN: 15|FG: 23

 

What’s To Like

Royce Lewis remains the best athlete in the Twins minor leagues. Even after adding 20 pounds of muscle an offseason ago, he was able to maintain his speed. He also has a ton of power potential.

 

Here is a home run last summer at Target Field off of former MLB pitcher Casey Lawrence.

 

On the bases, he has good instincts and the great speed to take extra bases.

 

 

Defensively, there are questions, but at shortstop he has quickness and range, and he’s got a strong arm. He also could provide versatility and help the Twins at a number of positions. He played a lot of third base in high school and has plenty of arm to play there. He could play second base. A lot of experts think he would be a plus-plus defensive centerfielder because of his speed and instincts. The Twins continued to play him exclusively at shortstop last summer in St. Paul.

 

 

 

What’s Left To Work On

2019 was a tough season offensively for Lewis. Between Ft. Myers and Pensacola, he hit just .236 and had an on-base percentage just shy of .300. He struck out three times more often than he walked. While few question his power potential, he will have to work on controlling the strike zone better. At times he gets a little pull-happy and should find more hits by using the right side of the diamond as well.

 

There are questions about his leg kick still and if he can be a solid all-around hitter with it. And you can see from the video below that there was a lot of movement with his hands in early 2019. You can also see the bat speed and power potential.

 

 

Missing out on 600 plate appearances in 2020 didn’t help, so he will just need to get as many reps and plate appearances as possible in 2021.

 

The same can be said on defense where he has the tools and range and arm, but he needs more reps. Consistency will be important for him. He can make all the plays, but sometimes he misses the routine plays.

 

 

What’s Next

As mentioned, after a missed 2020 season, Lewis just needs to get reps. He needs to get a lot of plate appearances. He needs to get a lot of reps at shortstop. Sure, he got work in St. Paul last summer, but it’s hard to replicate in-game experiences and opportunities.

 

In my opinion, I think it would be wise to have him play a game a week in center field, and maybe a game a week at third base. Lewis could be big-league ready by midseason, and there may be a need at another position at that time. Wouldn’t hurt to get some time and experience at those other spots for just-in-case. The Twins, with their moves this offseason, have shown that they value versatility.

 

It is very possible that we could see Lewis debut in 2021. Their signing of Andrelton Simmons to just a one-year contract indicates that the team would like to see Lewis ready to take the shortstop job in 2022. Lewis says he’s looking forward to learning from Simmons.

 

Lewis at 4:38:30 mark discusses his thoughts on the Twins signing of Simmons.

 

And many years down the line, maybe a career in TV. He was an excellent guest on a Twins Spotlight episode last week, spending about 45 minutes answering questions from listeners.

 

 

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[mikelink45]

I swear TD has been writing about him for 20 years - how can he be only 21.  I am excited for his next steps and would love to see him make the team this summer.  He seems to have all the attributes and I like your suggestion that he gets time at other positions.

[Darius]

It kinda stings seeing where Gore (the #3 pick in Lewis’ draft) is on all of these lists and how he dominated AA pre-COVID. Though, I still feel pretty good about Lewis.

 

I feel like he’s at a crossroads in terms of how he is regarded as a prospect. He needs to have a good year. It’ll be an interesting story to follow.

[rv78]

I have always wanted him to be the Twins shortstop of the future. With the value of super utility guys in todays game I think he could be be even more valuable there, Having someone that can play SS, 3B, 2B, and CF would be huge. I hope we see him everyday by the end of 2021 and for 15 years after that!

[Linus]

He’s highly suspect to me. His swing is a mess and h isn’t giving any signs of being a big league SS. If you draft a guy this high he should be able to stick at short. If not they should have traded him as a prospect.

[Doctor Gast]

Lewis is very athletic, a true super utility player(someone who's a plus defender at the key positions- SS,CF and 3B) it would be a waste to play him at 2B. Right now we are seriously short on SS and CF talent so I'm looking forward to having Simmons teach him SS, that's what all he needs. Anywhere he's lacking he'll come around because he's a student of the game. He's still the #1 Twins prospect IMO because of need we don't have any MLB ready prospects at our key positions but we have a ton of prospects MLB ready at corner OF, 1B and DH

[Eris]

Reminds me of another top Twins prospect with elite defensive skills, but with a hole in his swing. It is really not a good sign that Royce Lewis is dropping in the prospect rankings nationally (and also here at Twins Daily)

[rdehring]

Will remain positive and looking forward to see him continue what began 17 months ago in the AFL. Like many of you, will be watching him at CHS field until he breaks in with the Twins sometime this summer.

[chpettit19]

 

He’s highly suspect to me. His swing is a mess and h isn’t giving any signs of being a big league SS. If you draft a guy this high he should be able to stick at short. If not they should have traded him as a prospect.

Alex Bregman was drafted #2 overall as a SS and moved to 3B. Should the Astros have traded him as a prospect? Brendan Rodgers was drafted #3 as a SS and the Rockies aren't convinced he can stay there. Gleyber Torres was signed as a SS and hasn't proven he can stick there (been much better as a 2B). Ozzie Albies was signed as a SS and had to move to 2B. Gavin Lux was drafted as a SS and had to move to 2B. Carter Kieboom was drafted as a SS and had to move to 3B. Trea Turner had to move to CF for a while as he figured out SS and still isn't great at SS now. Manny Machado was drafted as a SS and had to move to 3B. Even got a second shot at SS and moved back to 3B.

 

Which one of those guys would you say their team should have traded as a prospect because they were drafted in the 1st round or signed for big money, but couldn't stick at SS? Brendan Rodgers is the only questionable one, but that's because he's struggled to hit at the ML level in a SSS. Otherwise I think you'd be happy with any of those "failed" SS.

[Trov]

I expect he will be playing CF in the future.  I think Twins will not extended Buxton after arbitration years, if they do not trade him before that.  Lewis will move to CF, unless someone else would take that spot then Lewis will fill in wherever the biggest hole is. 

[Linus]

Alex Bregman was drafted #2 overall as a SS and moved to 3B. Should the Astros have traded him as a prospect? Brendan Rodgers was drafted #3 as a SS and the Rockies aren't convinced he can stay there. Gleyber Torres was signed as a SS and hasn't proven he can stick there (been much better as a 2B). Ozzie Albies was signed as a SS and had to move to 2B. Gavin Lux was drafted as a SS and had to move to 2B. Carter Kieboom was drafted as a SS and had to move to 3B. Trea Turner had to move to CF for a while as he figured out SS and still isn't great at SS now. Manny Machado was drafted as a SS and had to move to 3B. Even got a second shot at SS and moved back to 3B.

 

Which one of those guys would you say their team should have traded as a prospect because they were drafted in the 1st round or signed for big money, but couldn't stick at SS? Brendan Rodgers is the only questionable one, but that's because he's struggled to hit at the ML level in a SSS. Otherwise I think you'd be happy with any of those "failed" SS.

Good points. I would point out that all those guys can hit so position isn’t as big a factor. If Lewis can’t hit the only position he could play and be valuable is short. Plus you are pointing out the success stories. There are plenty of guys that were just plain busts and their highest value was as trade stock.

[chpettit19]

 

Good points. I would point out that all those guys can hit so position isn’t as big a factor. If Lewis can’t hit the only position he could play and be valuable is short. Plus you are pointing out the success stories. There are plenty of guys that were just plain busts and their highest value was as trade stock.

Every prospect is a bust possibility until they establish themselves in the bigs. No doubt. Just saying that his inability to stick at short shouldn't be a huge concern. The bigger concern is definitely whether or not he figures out how to be a consistent hitter. Him taking over CF for Buxton isn't a huge failure and I think it's pretty universally accepted that he could step in and be a plus defender in CF today. Twins are definitely short on SS prospects, though. So ideally he can stick there, but if he hits I don't think we need to be too concerned about him moving positions.

[mike8791]

And now Lewis out for the season with a torn ACL!!  Wow!!  What a gut shot.  Is this one of those snake bitten #1s who flame out?  Certainly young enough to fully recover, but parallels to Buxton are starting to appear.

[Danchat]

And only about 14 hours after the article was published, Lewis is declared out for the season with a torn ACL. Nice timing! Looks like we won't be seeing him for awhile.

[bird]

 

It kinda stings seeing where Gore (the #3 pick in Lewis’ draft) is on all of these lists and how he dominated AA pre-COVID. Though, I still feel pretty good about Lewis.

I feel like he’s at a crossroads in terms of how he is regarded as a prospect. He needs to have a good year. It’ll be an interesting story to follow.

 

I just glanced at FanGraphs and see Lewis ranked at #23, so they clearly still like him a lot.

 

Gore looks like he's going to be terrific too. But I would imagine Falvey's amateur scouts feel pretty good that their collective recommendation that the FO pass on Hunter Greene, Brendan McKay (both though by a majority of experts to be a better choice than Lewis) looks sound. Kyle Wright appears to be a solid major leagur player, but the "right" #5 overall selection. And given the higher injury risk associated with pitchers, I wonder if the Twins would trade Lewis for Gore straight up. Probably, but not without much consideration. BTW, FG has both Greene and McKay ranked just outside of its top 100.

[Vanimal46]

2 lost seasons in a row. What a shame. His ranking will take a tumble on national publications.

[Fatbat]

For a 21 year old, he is years ahead of most minor Leaguers. Bring him up after he rips up AAA this spring. He can back up SS 3rd and CF.

[Fatbat]

.....and NM my comment above. I'll repost that next spring

[nicksaviking]

Ouch what a blow. I was really hoping he'd get a chance to tear it up in St. Paul. Good luck to Royce, I'm sure he's more devastated than anyone.

 

Hey guys, could we all just agree we know who is going to be #1 on the list and maybe avoid tempting fate with another write up for the final prospect tomorrow?

[jkcarew]

Issues hitting, then a pandemic, and now injuries. So, we’ll likely not see this #1 overall pick until 2023... SIX years after having drafted him...and with the possibility that his best and most reliable tool (speed) will already be in decline. Sigh.

[Doctor Gast]

It's about time we bring back the pinstripes and burn the baby blues

[bird]

The injury plague continues for this organization. One top prospect after another, delayed or derailed it seems. Snakebit much? Must be horribly frustrating for Lewis, and for others instrumental in his development as well.

[Seth Stohs]

 

And now Lewis out for the season with a torn ACL!!  Wow!!  What a gut shot.  Is this one of those snake bitten #1s who flame out?  Certainly young enough to fully recover, but parallels to Buxton are starting to appear.

 

Also of note... Buxton is really, really good... if Lewis becomes that good, that will be fantastic... But yes, I get the injury thing. 

[theBOMisthebomb]

Submitted for edit: Twins Daily 2021 Top Prospects: #222 SS Royce Lewis

[Seth Stohs]

Our Rankings:

 

Seth: #1

Nick: #2

Tom: #1

Cody: #2