Royce Lewis Is Back: What He Missed, and What We All Missed About Him

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins get star third baseman Royce Lewis back in the big league lineup for a series against the New York Yankees starting Tuesday. He has missed all but one game for the big-league club this year, and much has taken place in his absence.

Image courtesy of © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

When Rocco Baldelli wrote out his lineup card on Mar. 28 against Cole Ragans and the Kansas City Royals, Royce Lewis saw his name on an Opening Day slate for the first time as a big-leaguer. Following a historic second half last season and a scintillating set of contributions during the Twins' postseason run, fans were excited to see the erstwhile top prospect deliver a full season of brilliance.

He homered during his first at-bat, because what else would he do? Then he singled during his second at-bat, and it appeared as though he would have a 162-game hitting streak and break all sorts of Major League Baseball records. Unfortunately, when Carlos Correa doubled right after that second hit, Lewis came up lame after suffering what was revealed to be a severe quad injury.

Now, 58 games later, he’s back. A lot has happened, but what, exactly, has he missed?

• After winning on Opening Day, Minnesota went 6-13 over the course of their next 19 contests. With Stephen Vogt’s Cleveland Guardians starting the year hot, Baldelli’s Twins found themselves in an eight-game hole in the American League Central.
• Kyle Farmer made his greatest contribution of the season to his teammates in the form of a processed piece of meat that became part of a run-scoring celebration and sparked a 12-game winning streak. Even beyond that string being snapped, the tangy treat lives on.
• Facing the same Yankees he will return against, Minnesota couldn’t exorcise previous demons and were swept at Target Field in a three-game set in which they scored one total run. After taking the season series in 2023, evening the score to the tune of a sweep at Yankee Stadium would be sweet vindication.
• José Miranda has logged the majority of the innings at the hot corner in Lewis’s absence. He has been among the Twins' better hitters over the past month, even if he still isn’t hitting the ball very hard. Both Farmer and Willi Castro have manned the hot corner, too, and the former isn’t a great reality, given his paltry 52 OPS+ on the season.

• Castro has graded out as the best defender at third base, registering a pair of Defensive Runs Saved and coming out on the right side of average via Statcast's Outs Above Average (OAA), too. On the flip side, while he hasn’t been negative by DRS, Miranda has been worth -3 OAA, and that’s not ideal when it’s considered a better defensive fit for him than first base.
• The Twins rank 11th and 15th by DRS and OAA at third base, respectively, this season. Lewis is a better athlete and has a higher defensive ceiling than either, they should be able to inch their way back up the leaderboard.
• Bases-loaded situations have again been problematic (.490 OPS) for Minnesota, and no one succeeded to a grander level than Lewis did a season ago. He should have plenty of opportunities to see what sort of encore he can come up with in the year ahead, but the lineup needs him in those spots more than ever.

Similar to Byron Buxton being unavailable in center field or Carlos Correa not able to play shortstop, playing without Lewis has made the team feel incomplete and patchwork all season. It doesn’t matter that he’ll turn just 25 years old on Wednesday, or that he has fewer than 100 big-league games under his belt. When Baldelli is filling out a lineup card, Lewis’s name should always be on it, and it’s good to have that ability once again.

Here’s hoping that this time, the clean bill of health remains the rest of the way.

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[Oldgoat_MN]

Now to temper my expectations. 

Go Twins!

[EGFTShaw]

19 minutes ago, Oldgoat_MN said:

Now to temper my expectations. 

Go Twins!

tough to do isn't it. 😎

I think, despite his GSs, HRs, Playoff performance and the start of this year, I am most impressed with his overall attitude and outlook.

[theBOMisthebomb]

19 minutes ago, EGFTShaw said:

tough to do isn't it. 😎

I think, despite his GSs, HRs, Playoff performance and the start of this year, I am most impressed with his overall attitude and outlook.

It's all great, except he has to stay on the field. Hopefully he stays healthy long term and the injury filled career start becomes a distant memory. 

[Riverbrian]

It isn't often that any player is hitting 1,000 on June 4th. 

I wonder if the television graphic has the space for 1,000 in the bottom display or will they have to drop the G in AVG to make room and avoid a smaller font. 

And of course... I also wonder when the games will return to my television. I'd really love to watch Royce play today.   

[tony&rodney]

Lewis is super-hyped by Twins fans. The grand slams and home runs in the playoffs caught people. Royce can gather fans quickly, as he did with his two at bats on Opening Day.

Baseball is a slog though and hopefully Royce Lewis can play in 90 of the next 103 games and prove himself to be a full time regular at the big league level. I'm thinking positive thoughts about where and how Lewis can contribute to wins for the Twins but I'm also aware that he hasn't had a full year of baseball yet and am also aware of how difficult many MLB players have found it to adjust to adjustments.

Good luck to Royce.

[CRF]

I almost don't care what he does on the field...as long he stays healthy and off the damn IL. Ok, I do care...I want him to hit the sh*t outta the ball for the next 4 months!

[LambchoP]

Crossing my fingers he can stay on the field. Unfortunately he reminds me too much of a young Buxton. Comes up, looks like a team MVP but keeps getting hurt. Shows flashes of greatness but can never do it long term, and then after 3 or four years the injuries take their toll and the player is basically a shell of their former MVP looking self. Just like Buck:(

[farmerguychris]

When he plays, he's quickly becoming one of my favorite all time players - key words - when he plays.

Hope the trainers can find a way to reduce some of these injuries and have him become our 3rd base for the next decade.

[Doctor Gast]

From the 1st time I saw him I knew that Lewis has that something special. His baseball knowledge & most of all his attitude & leadership. Even if he doesn't hit any grand-slams, he'll be the contributing factor. He'll be psyed up & ready to play. Can't wait to see him on the field again. 

[Mortimerkenny21]

God speed Royce Lewis!

[umterp23]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It isn't often that any player is hitting 1,000 on June 4th. 

I wonder if the television graphic has the space for 1,000 in the bottom display or will they have to drop the G in AVG to make room and avoid a smaller font. 

And of course... I also wonder when the games will return to my television. I'd really love to watch Royce play today.   

TBS National Game of the Week broadcast may help you tonight.  5th time the Yankees will be in through June of this year.  TBS must be the home away from home broadcast partner

 

[mickster]

4 hours ago, Riverbrian said:

It isn't often that any player is hitting 1,000 on June 4th. 

I wonder if the television graphic has the space for 1,000 in the bottom display or will they have to drop the G in AVG to make room and avoid a smaller font. 

And of course... I also wonder when the games will return to my television. I'd really love to watch Royce play today.   

Game is on TBS tonight if it avoids blackout restrictsion

[insagt1]

i'm looking forward to seeing the Lewis we have all enjoyed so far (when healthy) and not the Lewis I just witnessed this past week in Rochester. I also think that we need to break out Al Michaels 'do you believe in miracles' for this series with the suddenly unstoppable Yankees. Yikes they are dangerous...and they weren't that dangerous when they recently dominated the Twins. Pitchers can't seem to get Judge, Soto and Stanton out anymore. The O's are playing at a near 105 win clip and they can barely keep up these days. I'll be surprised (and very happy) if Twins can steal one game in this series; then get back to trying to catch KC.

[Patzky]

Royce Lewis will be batting fifth tonight behind Miranda and Kepler.

 

Let the cussing begin..

[bean5302]

We've missed the excitement, electricity, leadership and inspiration he brings to the game. He makes the game fun to watch, and he inspires fans and teammates to believe. He's a true face of the franchise type of guy and the only player who has the kind of charisma to be the new favorite player in team history next to Kirby Puckett. It's a huge weight/opportunity.  I haven't been as excited about a player since the good 'ol days.

If Lewis continues to play like he did last year, he's a potential MVP and national celebrity.

[RpR]

I am curious how this place will react he first time Mr. Lewis hits into a double play with the bases loaded.🥸

[bean5302]

2 hours ago, RpR said:

I am curious how this place will react he first time Mr. Lewis hits into a double play with the bases loaded.🥸

Lewis only hits grand slams when the bases are loaded so I think what you're suggesting is theoretically impossible? LOL.

Seriously, nobody will care. The guy was setting records last year with the bases loaded.

[RpR]

2 hours ago, bean5302 said:

Lewis only hits grand slams when the bases are loaded so I think what you're suggesting is theoretically impossible? LOL.

Seriously, nobody will care. The guy was setting records last year with the bases loaded.

It will happen; there have been plenty bases loaded opportunities for Twins and his day will come.

[Ted Schwerzler]

How bout that return!?

[insagt1]

Loved his return. Didn't love that the Yanks are other-worldly right now. Last nights game was simply non-competitive. All i can say is 'damn Yankees' (I've been saying that since 1960)