A Year Apart, Royce Lewis is in a Different Place

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins have been dreaming of this version of Royce Lewis since the day they drafted him. This season, though, he gets his first clear runway to the Major League level, and that isn’t lost on him either.

FT. MYERS, FL - Less than six months ago, Royce Lewis launched grand slam home runs during the postseason. He had already established himself as a fan favorite, but the sort of dramatics he produced made it seem as though an eventual Kirby Puckett moment will come over the course of his career.

Speaking to Lewis in Fort Myers as he ramps up for his first professional season, it was clear that there was a different level of excitement for the young 24-year-old. A year ago, the Minnesota infielder joined me following a spring workout that included running at full speed for the first time. He had yet to have restrictions removed, allowing him into the batter’s box to hit, and he was ticketed for a rehab process that would hold him out into the summer.

Fully healthy this time around, it’s that clean bill of health that has Lewis and the Twins set to repeat as division champs. Carlos Correa is clear of a foot injury, and Byron Buxton’s knee no longer feels pain. For Rocco Baldelli, a manager who knows injuries all too well, he has a roster that is largely ready to roll.

When forcing Lewis to think back on where he was at this point last year and what took place during the season, a slight grin appeared on his face. “It’s so different. It’s awesome would be the best way to describe it. I have more fun coming into the field, realizing that I don’t have restrictions while getting to do everything with the team.”

Given how much success he experienced personally last season, it’s almost difficult to think it took place in less than 60 games. Considering the left side of the infield is now fully healthy, Minnesota may be able to claim the best tandem in the big leagues. That’s not lost on the blossoming star, either.

“With him (Correa) teaching me, I feel like I can grow my game so much. The leadership and mentorship he gives to all the guys, especially the young guys like myself, is huge. The more we play next to each other and have fun, the more I think that will shine through.”

What Lewis has done with the long ball, especially in the biggest situations with the bags packed, also remains wild to him. Projections have him as a contender to lead the league in home runs, but the third baseman isn’t quite ready to call himself a power hitter yet. “I think it worked that way last year. Hopefully, it continues to work that way; that’d be great; I’ll take the homers. My goal is to make hard contact. If it’s a line drive that turns into a jog instead of a sprint, I will definitely take that.”

The Twins had one of baseball’s best starting rotations a year ago. Sonny Gray is gone, and so too is Kenta Maeda. With Pablo Lopez locked in as a Cy Young candidate, that group can again be solid, but this roster is different. That doesn’t deter Lewis from thinking a Division Series appearance was scratching the surface. “We’re better because we’ve been there before. We’re looking forward to being healthy. We’re able to showcase our talents. Whether it’s Buxton jogging in for a triple or Correa making his defensive plays, it’s been a lot of fun.”

As a true athlete, Lewis made an insightful comparison regarding adjustments as he heads into his second real big league season. Where the best basketball players in the world, notably LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, and Steph Curry, can show up and dominate, it’s on the opposition to position themselves for success. Baseball has defined controllables that a player can execute, and focusing on daily adjustments presents a unique opportunity each day.

One of the key adjustments Lewis made down the stretch, after a stint at Triple-A, was enhancing his walk rate. As someone who isn’t in favor of the automated strike zone, the extra balls began to add up because of that box. “When they started calling balls that I thought were actual strikes, looking for specific pitches, I realized maybe those are balls. I started trusting the umpires and stopped trying to hit every pitch just because I felt like I could hit it.”

The proof is certainly reflected in the numbers there for Lewis as well. Posting a 28/3 K/BB through his first 99 plate appearances last season, he owned a 27/17 K/BB in his next 140 plate appearances. He also launched 11 home runs during that stretch, as opposed to four during the first portion, by locking in on the pitches he could truly damage. It’s also translated to a strong approach this spring, given Lewis owns a 5/3 K/BB during the 25 times he’s been in the box.

For years, the question has been about what a prospect like Lewis can do when he gets to the majors. There is no question anymore, and we have seen what looks to be a perennial all-star talent whenever he remains on the field. Power has developed, maturity has remained, and speed is still there. He hopes to steal a few more bases this season if given the opportunity, and adding to a toolkit that already has produced one of the American League’s most exciting players should put everyone on notice.

If the Twins take another step forward this season, it will be because the lineup carries them similarly to the pitching staff a season ago. Correa and Buxton are the veterans needing to do the heavy lifting, but Lewis is plenty capable of holding his own in that regard as well.

 

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[Karbo]

Lewis appears to be a key part of the core going forward. Now the question becomes his health.

[Doctor Gast]

From the 1st time I saw Lewis, I knew he was someone special a possible MVP candidate. Yet by what he's gone thru I have underestimated him, going thru adversity has made him stronger. As long as he stays in the INF, I'm not worried about his health. 

[Doctor Wu]

7 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

From the 1st time I saw Lewis, I knew he was someone special a possible MVP candidate. Yet by what he's gone thru I have underestimated him, going thru adversity has made him stronger. As long as he stays in the INF, I'm not worried about his health. 

Due to his track record thus far, I'll always be a little worried about this health, or at least his ability to avoid injuries, but as you noted, all the adversity has only made him stronger and more focused. And hopefully, these "challenges" will end up making him a better overall player too. And sure, the Correa factor/mentorship can't hurt either. All in all, I'm very excited about Lewis going into this season, and if he's NOT a contender for the All-Star game I'll be disappointed. He is indeed a special player. 

[JD-TWINS]

He’s the core guy going forward……what people hoped Buxton to be.

Not blue sky here IMO, if Buxton plays in 110-120 games with 60 or more in CF ………Correa has an average year, relative to his career stats………Lewis performs at 90% of ‘23 even while gathering more & more experience the line-up is scary. Maybe an obvious statement?

If Kirilloff - Jeffers - Julien etc. are afterthoughts when considering the 3 above, the Club is going to be potent.

In ’23 CC was hurt at least 80% of the season - Buxton only DHed & in 80+ games and was hurt essentially the entire season - Lewis played in 58 games. If they get average performance and 120 games plus from each of these guys I can’t see how one can’t be upbeat about the probable results!

Lewis is key!

[Fatbat]

150 + games in stead of 58. 600PA instead of 239.  Be prepared for much more failure as well as all the success.  Lewis is gonna be a living legend if his #s from the 58 games last year translate directly to 158 this season.  Yes we may have the best left side of the infield in MLB. We may also have the best complete infield in MLB.  The IF defense is going to be incredible! 
With Lewis leading the RBI parade, the offense is going to more well rounded than ‘23.  The lineup is going to be plain cruel to some pitchers. (Pending health of everyone) of course. 

[Fatbat]

47 minutes ago, JD-TWINS said:

He’s the core guy going forward……what people hoped Buxton to be.

Not blue sky here IMO, if Buxton plays in 110-120 games with 60 or more in CF ………Correa has an average year, relative to his career stats………Lewis performs at 90% of ‘23 even while gathering more & more experience the line-up is scary. Maybe an obvious statement?

If Kirilloff - Jeffers - Julien etc. are afterthoughts when considering the 3 above, the Club is going to be potent.

In ’23 CC was hurt at least 80% of the season - Buxton only DHed & in 80+ games and was hurt essentially the entire season - Lewis played in 58 games. If they get average performance and 120 games plus from each of these guys I can’t see how one can’t be upbeat about the probable results!

Lewis is key!

A lot of people underestimate C4 and Buck because of the lack of performance because of health issues.  I’m not sure it’s possible to understand how dangerous a healthy C4 &Buck batting in front and behind Lewis for 130 games will be. Its a crazy amount of talent in the heart of the lineup.  Julien, Kep, AK/Santana, Jeffers, Wallner all doing their thing. Where is the weakness in the lineup?

[joefish]

His 3 strike outs yesterday was disappointing, but momma said there'd be days like that. 

I remain optimistic.

[mrcharlie]

16 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

A lot of people underestimate C4 and Buck because of the lack of performance because of health issues.  I’m not sure it’s possible to understand how dangerous a healthy C4 &Buck batting in front and behind Lewis for 130 games will be. Its a crazy amount of talent in the heart of the lineup.  Julien, Kep, AK/Santana, Jeffers, Wallner all doing their thing. Where is the weakness in the lineup?

It's simple.  If an injury keeps them off the field there is no performance to measure.  Until they can stay healthy 130 games from these three is very optimistic.

[Fatbat]

44 minutes ago, joefish said:

His 3 strike outs yesterday was disappointing, but momma said there'd be days like that. 

I remain optimistic.

Someone played a joke on him and put an invisible barrel bat in his collection. 🤣

[Parfigliano]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

A lot of people underestimate C4 and Buck because of the lack of performance because of health issues.  I’m not sure it’s possible to understand how dangerous a healthy C4 &Buck batting in front and behind Lewis for 130 games will be. Its a crazy amount of talent in the heart of the lineup.  Julien, Kep, AK/Santana, Jeffers, Wallner all doing their thing. Where is the weakness in the lineup?

Santana is the weak link.

[bean5302]

I have decided Royce Lewis will be even better this year than he was last year. Full season. wRC+ 160, great defense at 3B. 6-7 WAR. MVP!!! LOL.

[Fatbat]

1 hour ago, Parfigliano said:

Santana is the weak link.

I believe there are ways to mitigate that but I’m not Baldelli so what I would do doesn’t matter much. 

[Fatbat]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I have decided Royce Lewis will be even better this year than he was last year. Full season. wRC+ 160, great defense at 3B. 6-7 WAR. MVP!!! LOL.

He wont be the first player to do that and its not unreasonable to believe that he will reach those targets in his career.

 

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Parfigliano said:

Santana is the weak link.

Wallner or Kirilloff.