Royce Lewis Reflects On an Incredible Season

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins saw a successful season end during the American League Division Series against the Houston Astros. That postseason experience will fuel a fire for plenty of players looking to get back, and Royce Lewis found himself on center stage despite being among the youngest talents on the team.

Image courtesy of © Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

Royce Lewis wasn't in the immediate plans for the 2023 season. Working his way back from a second ACL surgery, spring training was about ramping back up and getting to a place where he could contribute over the summer.

Back in March at Fort Myers, there was no way he could have imagined what was in store in the year ahead. Lewis became a key contributor and a catalyst of the Twins' lineup. He posted the highest batting average (.309) among rookies with at least 230 plate appearances. His weighted runs created plus (wRC+) mark of .155 was also tops among rookies. It would be a season punctuated with grand slam records and going wild during the postseason. 

Minnesota's former first-overall pick had arrived in the most significant way possible.

Looking back on the season that was and everything he accomplished, Lewis wasn't interested in talking about his accomplishments. 

"This team was so special to me," Lewis said. "I'm better from being on it with so many amazing mentors for me to have learned from."

The highlights were most notable throughout the year for Lewis, of course, but the work he had to put in behind the scenes is what set up an opportunity to experience the performances he put up. Getting help from teammates and the training staff, headed this year by new hire Nick Paparesta, made a substantial difference for the rookie.

During the early part of the season, Minnesota needed help finding a way to cash in when runners were on. The inability to convert with the bases juiced in the first portion of the season was astounding, but Lewis started making splashes.

Making his 2023 debut against the Houston Astros, Lewis wasted no time making an impact as he took J.P. France deep for a three-run shot. Then the granny party started. Lewis would hit his first grand slam on August 27 against the Rangers' Chris Stratton. He'd go on to hit four of them in just 58 games. 

"The grand slams were so awesome to be a part of, and I truly mean a part of. I was blessed to be the guy up to bat in those situations that my teammates and Rocco were able to put me in."

Lewis dealt with an in-season oblique injury that sidelined him in the middle of the summer, yet his performance after returning from the injured list was even better. He posted a .295/.386/.607 slash after returning to the team in mid-August. His plate discipline reached new heights, and he became a driver for the lineup for a Twins team that ultimately buried the Cleveland Guardians.

With a taste of what Lewis could do in big moments during the regular season, it was hard not to dream of what his presence during a postseason run would look like. Things took an unfortunate turn when he pulled a hamstring just weeks before the season ended, and there was uncertainty regarding what he could do physically. Although he has been a fast-healer and a driven competitor, Lewis had to slow himself down as well. 

"The hamstring was more serious than I initially thought or expected," said Lewis. "While playing through the hamstring, we built up as best we could, but soft tissue injuries take time, which we didn't have much of. The hardest part for me was learning to play at a different pace, a slower pace for me, which I have never played at before." 

Working as the designated hitter for the bulk of the playoffs, Lewis had to dial back his intensity, which eventually allowed him a return to the hot corner.

Being able to play in the postseason and experience Target Field in that scenario is something Lewis has been aiming towards since the day he was drafted. 

"The environment of the postseason was electric," Lewis said of October baseball at Target Field. "By far, some of my favorite games I've played in my life. The way the Twins faithful lifted us up and, at times, helped us to win key plays was so special." 

After having already shown up in so many big spots during the regular season, Lewis continued to find himself coming through during the games in October as well. Blasting five homers during the postseason, one can imagine Lewis may have been experiencing out-of-body emotions. He relishes the opportunity to play at the highest level, and while he never lets the moment overcome him, he certainly has been able to take them in along the way. 

"I don't take playing baseball, let alone the big leagues, for granted."

Just as the stretch of futility seen in previous seasons didn't define the postseason results for the 2023 squad, the taste of success there now has everyone focused on getting back and staying longer. 

"As far as goals go, it makes it much clearer: to become a World Champion and win that World Series trophy," Lewis said emphatically. "The postseason has made me hungrier because we came so much closer to it."

It was evident that this collection for the Twins had a lot of fun and enjoyed playing together. They took their lumps together early on, and they rebounded well when trending toward postseason baseball. Baldelli showed an excellent sense of leadership, and the clubhouse was a potent mix of youth and veteran presence.

There will be turnover for the franchise going into the 2024 season, but plenty of the pieces remain. Lewis won't be returning from an injury this time, and he has an established position on Opening Day. What he can do after this experience, with a clean bill of health, is anyone's guess. From what we have seen, it will be worth tuning in daily to watch the show.

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[Karbo]

I hope the TV deal gets worked out so we can tune in daily!

[Blyleven2011]

Stay healthy Lewis , you have definitely shown us you can be a game changer  we desperately need ...

Go Lewis,  go Twins  ...

[MarkTwins]

will this be his first off-season without rehabbing something since....

[Dave Borton]

..."The way the Twins faithful lifted us up and, at times, helped us to win key plays was so special." 

One of many comments in which Royce points toward others rather than seeking self-aggrandizement and adulation.

The young man has lessons to teach us which have nothing to do with baseball. 

[Doctor Gast]

Lewis is special & we are blessed to have him. Going through constant adversity & still keeps positive, speaks volume of his character. Which is his strength.

[AceWrigley]

I think Royce Lewis pretty much blew us away in 2023. His stats will probably be more "normalized" next year, but what a great player to watch and root for. Stay healthy man!

[Parker Hageman]

2 hours ago, davidborton said:

..."The way the Twins faithful lifted us up and, at times, helped us to win key plays was so special." 

One of many comments in which Royce points toward others rather than seeking self-aggrandizement and adulation.

The young man has lessons to teach us which have nothing to do with baseball. 

Reading Lewis' quotes reminded me of the back and forth between Derek Jeter and Bruce Bouchy after the Rangers won the World Series. More often than not, great teams (across all aspects of life) focus on each other. 

 

[RpR]

4 hours ago, davidborton said:

..."The way the Twins faithful lifted us up and, at times, helped us to win key plays was so special." 

One of many comments in which Royce points toward others rather than seeking self-aggrandizement and adulation.

The young man has lessons to teach us which have nothing to do with baseball. 

Lewis believes in the TEAM part of team sports, some thing not as strong as it once was.

[Fatbat]

Its hard to imagine the impact of a healthy RL will have in 2024. 150 games? 100 RBI? 30/30 club? It could be crazy fun to watch!!

[Nine of twelve]

I agree with what others have posted, that Lewis seems to get it about team sports. It's said that baseball is a team sport played by individuals because there is much less teamwork involved in the play of the game in baseball compared to football, basketball, hockey, or soccer. But it's still important to work to lift up and support your teammates as much as you can, not just on the field but in the form of praise and advice and maintaining a positive attitude and everything else.

I guess I'm more jaded when it comes to players saying how much fans contribute to a team's performance. It's true that in some outlying circumstances home fans can make a difference, for example in 1987, but in baseball playing at home is only a very small advantage. And IMHO most of that advantage is due to not having to deal with the rigors of travel: flying on planes, living in hotels (not sleeping in your own bed), eating in restaurants, using hired transportation to get around, and the like. We just witnessed the Rangers winning a World Championship with a 2-4 home record and an 11-0 road record. The largest and most important contribution fans make--largest and most important by far--is money. Players and everyone else in the game all understand that fans are the ultimate source of every dollar and it's in their best self-interest to keep the revenue stream flowing as well as possible. So I view the comments players make in praise of fans as mostly pandering with a modicum of gratitude.

[PatG]

The thing that can't be forgotten:  He is a .300 hitter, and he stayed there even after those granny's.

I believe Sano forgot that part after his HR derby with the Judge.....

Hopefully, Miranda, Larnach, Martin, Julien, Correa etc can remember that term: a .300 hitter.... 

[Twodogs]

1 hour ago, Nine of twelve said:

I agree with what others have posted, that Lewis seems to get it about team sports. It's said that baseball is a team sport played by individuals because there is much less teamwork involved in the play of the game in baseball compared to football, basketball, hockey, or soccer. But it's still important to work to lift up and support your teammates as much as you can, not just on the field but in the form of praise and advice and maintaining a positive attitude and everything else.

I guess I'm more jaded when it comes to players saying how much fans contribute to a team's performance. It's true that in some outlying circumstances home fans can make a difference, for example in 1987, but in baseball playing at home is only a very small advantage. And IMHO most of that advantage is due to not having to deal with the rigors of travel: flying on planes, living in hotels (not sleeping in your own bed), eating in restaurants, using hired transportation to get around, and the like. We just witnessed the Rangers winning a World Championship with a 2-4 home record and an 11-0 road record. The largest and most important contribution fans make--largest and most important by far--is money. Players and everyone else in the game all understand that fans are the ultimate source of every dollar and it's in their best self-interest to keep the revenue stream flowing as well as possible. So I view the comments players make in praise of fans as mostly pandering with a modicum of gratitude.

I hear what you're saying but I do think there is a certain energy that you feel playing in front of your home crowd, now the opponents can shut that energy down at times and you still have to create your own energy, but the home crowd does give a little extra energy at times.  I feel at least.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, PatG said:

He is a .300 hitter,

That is a fun thing to think about. In both the shortened 2022 season and in his truncated 2023 year Lewis did hit .300 at both minor and major league levels. Lewis did this despite hitting .236 at Hi-A and AA in 2019, his only year with more than 500 at bats. I sure hope Royce can maintain an average close to .300 over a full year in 2024.

[RpR]

28 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

That is a fun thing to think about. In both the shortened 2022 season and in his truncated 2023 year Lewis did hit .300 at both minor and major league levels. Lewis did this despite hitting .236 at Hi-A and AA in 2019, his only year with more than 500 at bats. I sure hope Royce can maintain an average close to .300 over a full year in 2024.

Too many people are still gaga over his GS home runs which cam because the other team walked a lot of people , often.

Assume he is going to be an above average player, all around, and relax.

[Jocko87]

On 11/10/2023 at 11:54 AM, davidborton said:

..."The way the Twins faithful lifted us up and, at times, helped us to win key plays was so special." 

One of many comments in which Royce points toward others rather than seeking self-aggrandizement and adulation.

The young man has lessons to teach us which have nothing to do with baseball. 

In life and baseball one obviously observable constant is that a positive attitude and outlook is consistently rewarded with positive outcomes.

When you have an elite skill set combined with an 80 grade attitude special things can happen.

Really looking forward to what he can do after an offseason focusing on the craft rather than the rehab.

[Heiny]

Royce is a very talented player with a great attitude.  He may become my favorite player since Harmon.  And believe me that is saying alot.  It is rare that a player comes along with the charachter and abilities that reach levels so much higher than all else on the field, especially with all the hot-dogging Divas in the game today.  My Lewis jersey is on the way.

[Fatbat]

On 11/10/2023 at 1:20 PM, AceWrigley said:

I think Royce Lewis pretty much blew us away in 2023. His stats will probably be more "normalized" next year, but what a great player to watch and root for. Stay healthy man!

But which normal? Role player, perennial allstar, or league MVP? 

[AceWrigley]

2 hours ago, Fatbat said:

But which normal? Role player, perennial allstar, or league MVP? 

 i meant stats closer to the mean, something less than 150 OPS+.

[joefish]

On 11/10/2023 at 8:54 AM, davidborton said:

..."The way the Twins faithful lifted us up and, at times, helped us to win key plays was so special." 

One of many comments in which Royce points toward others rather than seeking self-aggrandizement and adulation.

The young man has lessons to teach us which have nothing to do with baseball. 

Let's see how money affects him.

[joefish]

On 11/11/2023 at 7:16 AM, RpR said:

Too many people are still gaga over his GS home runs which cam because the other team walked a lot of people , often.

Assume he is going to be an above average player, all around, and relax.

Boring. Nope. Gonna hop on board of the Lewis Train and enjoy the ride for as long as it lasts.