A New Position for Royce Lewis?

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins are entering the home stretch of their 2023 regular season, and with sights set on the postseason, getting every back healthy and ready to contribute is of the utmost importance. As Royce Lewis returns from an oblique injury, a new spot could be his next opportunity.

 

Image courtesy of Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports

Last season. the Minnesota Twins signed Carlos Correa to be their starting shortstop. When he went down with an injury, top prospect Royce Lewis stepped up in a big way. Despite being sent down when Correa returned, Lewis forced the hand of the big league club. He took over in centerfield and made it just three innings before a fluke knee injury occurred after a collision with the outfield wall.

Now, with the Twins having suggested that they’d prefer not playing him in the outfield this season, current roster construction makes that arguably the best place to supplement the roster.

By the time Lewis returns for Minnesota, Jorge Polanco will likely have taken over as the regular at third base. While Edouard Julien is not a good defender, his bat and youth have him entrenched at second base. Polanco shifting across the diamond makes sense. Correa will continue at shortstop, and putting Lewis at first base as opposed to Alex Kirilloff would be nonsensical.

What does make perfect sense is playing Lewis in a spot where he may very well see the bulk of his career playing time.

Lewis is an exceptional athlete, and he has displayed an ability to play up the middle for years. He looked the part of a shortstop before being bumped to the hot corner, and he handled centerfield fine in limited looks down on the farm and in the Arizona Fall League. Of course there is the fear of growing pains, and getting to know outfield configurations, but the fluky re-injury of his ACL should not be a deterrent to future plans.

Rocco Baldelli could insert Lewis in centerfield upon his return from the injured list. The Twins have needed a right-handed bat out there all year, and while Michael A. Taylor holds the lumber from that side of the plate, he rarely does anything with it. As long as Byron Buxton remains a full-time designated hitter, expecting Taylor to produce on a daily basis will come with suboptimal results.

With Lewis in the outfield, Minnesota could have their most ideal offensive infield configuration, while also still finding an opportunity to play a great stick in Lewis. If Buxton were able to man centerfield on a regular basis, this wouldn’t be a consideration, but it’s one that could help the Twins to get the most out of their lineup in October.

The process to score at least four runs during any given game has to be the focal point for Minnesota. They have been tough to beat when accomplishing that feat, and for a lineup that has done less with more all season long, they can’t afford to leave ammo unused.

Maybe Buxton returns to health for 2024, and Lewis isn’t needed in center. Having that ability in his back pocket is something of a benefit to such a talented player, and it doesn’t seem that Minnesota’s $100 million man is going to force the question at all during this current season. Lewis has already stepped up in big spots, and this would be a way for him to do so yet again.

It remains to be seen if Minnesota will make the tough decision and put him out there. The injury he suffered a year ago will unquestionably be on everyone’s mind, but there is no straightforward suggestion that he’s more likely to be hurt in center than he is at third. Trying to play chicken with injury is a losing game, and putting the best lineup configuration on the field each night should be the goal.

If everyone is healthy when he returns, Royce Lewis should be the Twins starting centerfielder.

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[Oldgoat_MN]

It is where he could help the team the most. You state that he is no more likely to injure himself at CF than 3B.

Is that true? Does Royce believe that?

[DJL44]

Quote

By the time Lewis returns for Minnesota, Jorge Polanco will likely have

injured himself again.

[rv78]

Trying to play chicken with injury is a losing game, and putting the best lineup configuration on the field each night should be the goal.

If this was true, then it would also apply to Buxton. 

[FlyingFinn]

I see a rotation between 2B, 3B and DH this year until we get close to the playoffs. Then, we get really good on D - Buxton in CF, Lewis at 3B, Polanco at 2B and Julien at DH. Great D and the best hitting lineup we can get, with Taylor as a defensive sub in LF.

[Peter]

Just get hIm back in lineup ASAP!!!

[chpettit19]

I don't expect this to happen, but this is the strategy that makes the most sense to me. I actually see the bulk of Lewis' career being in the OF. I'd bet they don't put him out there this year, though. Even if I would.

[Old Crow]

The Twins potentialy have 2 allstar center fielders on their roster and neither one is allowed to play the position for fear of injury?  What's wrong with this picture?

[Nine of twelve]

15 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

I see a rotation between 2B, 3B and DH this year until we get close to the playoffs. Then, we get really good on D - Buxton in CF, Lewis at 3B, Polanco at 2B and Julien at DH. Great D and the best hitting lineup we can get, with Taylor as a defensive sub in LF.

Concur. I think the combination of Buxton at DH, Julien at 2B, Polanco at 3B and Lewis in CF is probably the best and most likely way to finish the regular season, making the shift FF posted for the postseason. I think putting Buxton in CF in the postseason has been the Twins' plan for several months. That plan means hoping for two uncertain things. One, that we qualify for the postseason with our current outfielders and, two, that keeping Buck at DH enables his knee to hold up well enough to play CF in October.

[TopGunn#22]

Spot on Ted.  And it's NOT just for 2023.  Buxton's long term future in CF is in doubt.  Look, even when Buxton is "healthy" it's like playing Russian Roulette with his availability.  For the rest of this year, Lewis in CF makes waaaaay to much sense.  For 2024 and beyond, well, that's a tougher question. 

Polanco is a solid bat and his clutch RBI double last night just accentuates his importance to our lineup.  I don't see any BIG trades for the Twins at the deadline, but I would like to see them buy as well as sell on the edges.  I'd be willing to move Miranda and Larnach as a package or in separate deals to add someone who could help now (Josh Hader) and/or who could help beyond 2023 (Lane Thomas).  

But to completely write off any chance Lewis could play in CF, RF or LF for the remainder of this year isn't wise.  They need his bat in their lineup.  They need Julien's bat in their lineup.  And they need Polanco's bat in their lineup.  No one on TD has presented evidence that CF is a position that far more people get injured playing.  I just think Lewis wants to play and contribute.  For the rest of 2023, that should be in CF.  

[twinstalker]

I don't really think the ACL was a "fluke."  First, Lewis was prone to that injury.  Second, he was clearly out of his element trying to make a challenging but not all that tough of play, and together that caused his injury.  Seems plausible something similar could happen again.  It's sort of like calling Buxton running into a wall (when most CFs would simply make a good catch) a fluke.

[Chuckkos]

Any reason he couldn’t play a corner OF spot in order to keep Taylor in for his D in CF?

[Nashvilletwin]

19 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't expect this to happen, but this is the strategy that makes the most sense to me. I actually see the bulk of Lewis' career being in the OF. I'd bet they don't put him out there this year, though. Even if I would.

Agree - probably not this year. CF (ideally a RHed bat CFer) is our biggest hole in the system at the moment and, as you point out, Lewis playing substantial time in CF in ‘24 makes the most sense. We will eventually see if Rodriguez and/or Jenkins can fill that position, which might mean, as you might have been implying, that then Lewis could even become a corner outfielder.

But sometime in ‘24, assuming Buxton is our primary DH, our best lineup might include infielders Lee, Kiriloff, Julien, CC, Polanco (if he’s not moved), and Farmer. Lewis would provide the best value in this scenario by manning CF. As a side note, to truly get our best offense in the lineup, Kiriloff might also need to play some corner OF (assuming Julien and/or Polanco get time at 1B).

[Jkeady12]

Trade him now, while he is a commodity! He is the new Buxton, tons of potential and miniscule playing time.

[CarolinaTwin]

IMO put Lewis at 3rd base and 3rd base will be settled for years to come.  If Buxton can’t play CF rotate Taylor and Kepler.  Perhaps Polanco can DH, 2nd or SS until he is injured or traded.

[nmcowboy]

Agree 100% Ted.  Put him in center!

[David Maro]

Cut Gallo and put him in LF,since we haven't had a everyday LF'er since Eddie. At last count I believe it is somewhere around 15-20 different players. Playing there would limit the chance of injuries and keep him in the lineup. 

[Squirrel]

57 minutes ago, twinstalker said:

I don't really think the ACL was a "fluke."  First, Lewis was prone to that injury.  Second, he was clearly out of his element trying to make a challenging but not all that tough of play, and together that caused his injury.  Seems plausible something similar could happen again.  It's sort of like calling Buxton running into a wall (when most CFs would simply make a good catch) a fluke.

If Lewis is prone to that injury then it will be a problem for him wherever he plays and wherever he walks.

[Squirrel]

17 minutes ago, CarolinaTwin said:

IMO put Lewis at 3rd base and 3rd base will be settled for years to come.  If Buxton can’t play CF rotate Taylor and Kepler.  Perhaps Polanco can DH, 2nd or SS until he is injured or traded.

Where do we play Lee in the future?

[In My La Z boy]

Not sure if anyone saw the MLB segment with Harold Reynolds but he played an interview w/Buck, and made the point that Buxton NEEDS to go out and play a position, to be able to hit. He doesn't seem to have the mental game to DH, and Reynolds went on to talk about the mental side of being a DH. I agree Royce's best spot on this years team in the coming weeks is CF, but heading into the playoffs (i hope) and into next year, Buxton at DH isn't a sustainable option in my opinion.

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, twinstalker said:

I don't really think the ACL was a "fluke."  First, Lewis was prone to that injury.  Second, he was clearly out of his element trying to make a challenging but not all that tough of play, and together that caused his injury.  Seems plausible something similar could happen again.  It's sort of like calling Buxton running into a wall (when most CFs would simply make a good catch) a fluke.

Disagree 100%.  His first injury was caused by a Texan trying to walk on ice.  The second was twisting his knee when jumping for a ball.  I tore my miniscus walking!  I was 73 at the time and I'm due for a knee replacement in December.  Am I "injury prone"?  I doubt it.  I played goalie up until I tore the miniscus and never hurt my knee before.  Put him in center field.

[Karbo]

Unless Buxton turns things around hitting I can't see the value in keeping him at DH. He belongs in the OF. Keeping him healthy for the playoffs? Wow, we certainly can't count on even getting into the playoffs. Let him play the OF. If he gets hurt then put him on the IL, free up a spot for someone who can hit. Rotate DH between Polo, Julian and Lewis with 3rd being Lewis as primary. DFA Gallo and put Wallner in left. Problem solved, and a better lineup. IMO the best chance to reach the playoffs, and maybe even win a game!

[wabene]

9 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Disagree 100%.  His first injury was caused by a Texan trying to walk on ice.  The second was twisting his knee when jumping for a ball.  I tore my miniscus walking!  I was 73 at the time and I'm due for a knee replacement in December.  Am I "injury prone"?  I doubt it.  I played goalie up until I tore the miniscus and never hurt my knee before.  Put him in center field.

Agreed, in the OP Ted stated that no one on Twins Daily has ever proved, or come up with evidence that center fielders were more prone to injury. If fact evidence was presented that knee injuries in general were much less common in baseball than other sports.

As Terry stated an expat Californian living in Texas came upon some ice while walking into his residence, presumably in flip flops, and tore up his knee. 

In every sport players not only need to learn how to play, they have to learn to protect themselves. Some are better at that than others.

[wipster]

The Twins have needed a right-handed bat out there all year, and while Michael A. Taylor holds the lumber from that side of the plate, he rarely does anything with it.

 

I find it odd that I'm always reading about how terrible M.A. Taylor is at the plate. Buxton has 58 hits and Taylor has 55 (in 45 less AB).  17 hr for Buck, 12 for Taylor etc. I seem to recall when Buxton first came up (and couldn't hit his weight then either), everyone talked about how many runs he saved in CF. OK, using that logic, while Buxton was a gold glove winner in 2017, Taylor won one in 2021! So why is that logic, that defense can save runs, no longer being employed? The Twins even had Gallo and his .179 BA out in CF not long ago, ahead of Taylor.

So, just so I'm sure I understand what I'm hearing and seeing (realizing there's nothing to write home about either one, but....):

Taylor, .222 ave- 12 hr- 30 rbi- 2021 Gold Glove winner in CF= keep on bench only use as last resort!

Buxton, .198 ave- 17 hr- 40 rbi- can NOT play anywhere in the field= play daily/superstar(potential)!

......don't even get me going about the strike outs!!

 

[Otaknam]

No to center field! That ended disastrously before. As long as Buxton is nothing more than a DH, getting the preferred lineup will be a work in progress. On another note, why is Gallo still on the team? 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Squirrel said:

Where do we play Lee in the future?

Second base is wide open.

[mikelink45]

There are some real questions here - 

1. Didn't he get hurt playing CF already?
2. Does he want to play OF - I remember a RF experiment a few years ago that derailed Sano
3. Can we trade Polanco and clear the congestion?  

[madtowntwin]

Getting really tired of all the Buxton - CF - DH discussion / angst...I mean I do get it, BUT - We are well into the season and it is what it is at this point. We all now realize that his offensive ability SEEMS to pivot off of his defensive prowess. Mental deficiency in regard to DH play is one thing. Physical limitations - in particular a knee injury - are another...We will find out very soon during the off season about the reparability of said injury. IF repair is realistic option we will subsequently find out whether Byron's offensive ability can return in Spring Training NEXT YEAR....Our present reality, however, is that this undefined knee injury (which is so frustrating in and of itself) is universally limiting to one of our best players: Fielding, hitting, and running....Thanks for listening to my rant. Win Twins.  

[MABB1959]

Seems likely Lewis is another Buxton and what have they learned from this debacle.   Trying to keep Buxton healthy even though is has been extremely detrimental to the team.  Play Lewis where he can help the team and see if he can stay healthy for the rest of season. If not all I can say is here we go again.  I would put him out there to see what kind of interest.  I think most decent teams wouldn’t offer anything of proven value for him.  

[JD-TWINS]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I see a rotation between 2B, 3B and DH this year until we get close to the playoffs. Then, we get really good on D - Buxton in CF, Lewis at 3B, Polanco at 2B and Julien at DH. Great D and the best hitting lineup we can get, with Taylor as a defensive sub in LF.

Wish thinking on Buxton. He’s not capable of playing CF. If he was he’d be playing there. Not sure how much more evidence we need. - it’s the end of July. The manager has publicly stated he can’t play OF!

It’s not happening.

BEST solution isn’t realistic either, which would be Buxton to the IL……can try him out with roster expansion in September if desired.

Hanging on to Gallo to hedge against others getting hurt…….may option a young guy to carry Gallo through August & bring whoever back in September & let Gallo go Oct. 1.

October guys:

Lewis - CC - Polanco - Kirilloff - Farmer - Solano

Jeffers - Vazquez

Julien

Taylor - Castro - Wallner - Kepler

Who plays 3B - 2B - DH is all semantics at this point, we’ll have to see. BEST 13 guys here though.

Possible, that if Buxton comes around he could take Taylor’s spot but doubtful if he can’t play any defense…….need a back-up CF on roster.

Most likely, we only carry 12 pitchers…..4 starters, into the playoffs. This leaves a spot for Buxton at DH - pinch hitter as needed.