Royce Lewis is Ready to Rock

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins watched Royce Lewis fill in for Carlos Correa last season and quickly seem to settle into Major League life. As soon as it started, it was then over, but he appears ready to roll in 2023.

 

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

For Rocco Baldelli’s Twins, Carlos Correa is back and here to stay at shortstop. He may miss time over the next handful of years, but the hope is that he remains an anchor in the lineup. That doesn’t change Royce Lewis having a focus on cracking the roster and factoring in wherever his manager can use him.

Having undergone a second ACL surgery, Lewis is now on the way back and if you ask him he’s ready to go. Just recently he started stepping in for live at bats, and watching him work for the past week showcased an impressive talent ready to show out. His physical stature looks good, and the speed tool continues to remain in place. Though he’ll start the season on the 60-day injured list, Lewis will be an option for Minnesota early this summer.

I caught up with Royce and sat down to ask a few questions about this team, his rehab, and where the coming season may take him.

Twins Daily: With this being the second time going through rehab on a torn ACL, what’s different now?

Royce Lewis: The main difference is that I started in Fort Myers and then when the hurricane happened I went to Dallas to finish there. With the city being in such a bad condition, I didn’t have the same resources so it made sense to stay in Dallas. I talked with the Twins once or twice a week. As soon as Nick Paparesta signed, he talked to me once a week himself. Minnesota wrote up the schedule and would send it to my physical therapist. He acted as the middleman and just told me what to do.

TD: You recently started hitting, or taking batting practice. How does that feel? How is the lateral movement going?

RL: As of three days ago (March 16) we’ve been doing lateral stuff. I think I could be pushed a bit more and challenging myself more. I think I could be playing today, I truly feel great. I don’t fault the team, I’m not mad at all. The doctors got together and it makes the most sense with the second ACL injury on the same knee to play it safe. It’s about the next 15 years, I’m young.

TD: With Carlos Correa coming back, has there been a mindset change about position or where you may end up at all?

RL: I haven’t been told anything about positions and I’m still training like I’m a shortstop. To be honest, me playing shortstop last year and then moving positions randomly for ten days or whatever was something I could do with ease. If you can play shortstop you can play anywhere up the middle. Short, second, center, those guys can kind of play anywhere. I feel stable, and ready to go. As you saw I’m taking live at bats, but they aren’t letting me hit, I can’t swing. I’m just tracking right now, but I do feel like I’m seeing the ball great. I’ve had a couple of check swings because I’m antsy. Tuesday (March 21) is right around the corner, so I’ll hit Tuesday or Wednesday depending on who’s throwing.

TD: With regards to the new rules, both pitch clock and bases, is there an opportunity to be more aggressive?

RL: I usually just steal when the situation is right. I think I can get it. The bases will definitely help, it feels a lot closer. We exposed the three pickoff thing a lot in the minor leagues. As a runner, they’re promoting people to run more. Our team (Minnesota) was a bit lower on that last year, but I think this year we’ll push the envelope a bit more with the help of those new rules. I can’t wait, hopefully I get some more green lights.

TD: What’s the plan from here? Do you have a destination already after camp?

RL: The only thing I know is that I’ll be down here (Fort Myers) through April. Because of the whole 60-day thing, you only have 20 games you can play before. May 29th is the last day, so you’re thinking around May 9th or 10th to go somewhere to play. I think it will depend on the weather. If it’s cold, we’re not going to send you to St. Paul. Even healthy people get stiff in the cold, so maybe Wichita.

TD: What makes 2023 a success for you? What are you shooting to accomplish?

RL: Really to come back and make the roster. Our team is so good. We have great players and depth on both sides of the ball. To be able to crack that roster you have to be playing good. I think that’s a good goal of mine. I want to be able to help this team make a playoff push. In my heart of hearts I believe this is a playoff team. We need to stay healthy. This is a World Series contending team.

TD: Why is this team different from last year? What about 2023 Opening Day looks different?

RL: Having everyone have a bit more experience and be a bit more comfortable with each other. Guys like Trevor Larnach, Alex Kirilloff, myself, there’s been debuts and people feel a bit more ready. The depth is truly a thing. Good teams like the Astros and Dodgers have depth. You see a guy like Jose Altuve out for 8-10 weeks and it’s like guess what we have so-and-so to fill in and he’s also a baller. Look at Nick Gordon, he’s the best utility player in baseball. Twins fans are going to see how good this team really is. We have health right now.

TD: Ending on a light night, new jerseys, which one is your favorite?

RL: I like the gray pinstripes, but I think the cream Twins Cities top is the best. I love that we switched it up. I wish we had one or two more in our back pocket. I loved the red and the baby blue.

There is no denying the short cameo last season was among the highlights of the year for Twins fans. Seeing Lewis play alongside Correa on the dirt this season would be great, and he remains one of the most exciting prospects Minnesota has had in quite some time.

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[roger]

Thanks, Ted, for a great read.  Every time I see one of these I get more impressed with who this young man is.  With God's blessing, maybe he finally will get his chance to be healthy and play for a long time.  Hopefully, his entire career will be with the Twins.

Only question that no one has answered is where he will play.  All we know is that barring injury to Correa, it won't be shortstop.  Like many of us, I am guessing it will be at second or third with Lee playing the other.  Don't know what that means for Miranda?  Or Polonco and Julien?

[Doctor Gast]

Great to have some good news. Royce Lewis is such a great asset to this team all the way around. Pray for a speedy healthy return.

[nicksaviking]

I like the fact that he explained why he'd likely head to Wichita instead of St. Paul upon his return. Without the warm-weather explanation, there surely would have been some consternation about the "demotion".

[Ted Schwerzler]

1 hour ago, roger said:

Thanks, Ted, for a great read.  Every time I see one of these I get more impressed with who this young man is.  With God's blessing, maybe he finally will get his chance to be healthy and play for a long time.  Hopefully, his entire career will be with the Twins.

Only question that no one has answered is where he will play.  All we know is that barring injury to Correa, it won't be shortstop.  Like many of us, I am guessing it will be at second or third with Lee playing the other.  Don't know what that means for Miranda?  Or Polonco and Julien?

I don't think there will ever be a point where Julien is a regular at any position in the field. Polanco is already likely to miss Opening Day, and is probably in his last year for the Twins. Miranda could move around based on Kirilloff, and we have seen Royce play the outfield. His talent will find a home somewhere.

[Ted Schwerzler]

51 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

I like the fact that he explained why he'd likely head to Wichita instead of St. Paul upon his return. Without the warm-weather explanation, there surely would have been some consternation about the "demotion".

I figured that would be the case. Depending on how St. Paul is, he's just not going to come here without warmth.

[CRF]

Can't wait to see him back with the team and playing. He deserves it after what he's been through. Back to back ACL's on the same knee, is just an incredibly bad coincidence. He's overdue for some good things to happen. 

[puckstopper1]

Another fabulous article/update from @Ted Schwerzler.  THANK YOU!!!!  You are certainly the Twins Daily "Sire of Fort Myers"!

[Tyler from Oregon]

If Royce is able to make it back to full health, he's easily a Top 5 player on this team. Excited to see him back, soon.

[Mike Sixel]

Thanks to Royce for doing this! Looking forward to watching him be great.

[NotAboutWinning]

Totally admire his emotional intelligence! Play the long game and take the time a full recovery requires, even when he is feeling ready.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Awesome to see Royce hungry to get on the field but understanding and trusting in the process. Speaks well to Royce and also the FO in effective communication.

Great Article Ted and great candor from Royce!

[jmlease1]

I root so hard for Royce Lewis. I really hope he gets all the way back and gets to maximize his talent. If he doesn't, it won't be because of a lack of effort or heart! Everything I read about him, everything I hear something from him it just screams "Good Dude".

[TopGunn#22]

We ALL root hard for Royce Lewis and it's an easy thing to do.  Here's hoping for the best for him.  he has the right makeup to be a great player and to be around guys like Correa and Buxton is a bonus.  

[DocBauer]

Every time I hear Lewis speak or read his comments, I'm reminded yet again about intelligence and class. 

I appreciate his determination and desire to play, but being fully cognizant of patience to make sure he's 100% right. Like Kirilloff, it's the long game that's important. And frankly, if he's not ready for the Twins until July, I'd still be fine with that. 

Wherever he ends up playing, and it could be almost anywhere, I want him for years to come.

[saviking]

23 hours ago, Ted Schwerzler said:

I don't think there will ever be a point where Julien is a regular at any position in the field. Polanco is already likely to miss Opening Day, and is probably in his last year for the Twins. Miranda could move around based on Kirilloff, and we have seen Royce play the outfield. His talent will find a home somewhere.

Although MIranda isn't the best defensive player the fact that he's right handed, and hits like a bangy, play two positions and DH will injure he gets plenty of at bats. When he doesn't start he most likely will get a lot of pinch hitting opportunities as well.