Minnesota Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Third Base

[Nick Nelson]

Royce Lewis is the Twins' third baseman, for now. Will this be a lasting destination or just a passing stop on his journey down the defensive spectrum? The 2025 season might dictate.

Image courtesy of Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images

Since he was drafted nearly eight years ago out of high school, Royce Lewis has gone from being a wiry, agile speedster to a hulking slugger. Multiple major knee injuries and an apparently hardcore gym regimen have transformed the 25-year-old's player profile, but it's generally hard to argue with the results. 

The Twins have openly pondered the idea of working him in at second base and there's reason to believe he could be destined for first, but in 2025, Lewis has a chance to convince the team he's built for the hot corner. 

Above all, though, he just needs to stay healthy.

TWINS THIRD BASEMEN AT A GLANCE

Starter: Royce Lewis
Backup: Willi Castro
Depth: Brooks Lee, José Miranda, Armando Alvarez (NRI)
Prospects: Kaelen Culpepper, Tanner Schobel

Twins fWAR Ranking Last Year: 16th out of 30
Twins fWAR Projection This Year: 8th out of 30

THE GOOD
Lewis has a career 126 OPS+ in the majors and has already immortalized himself in franchise lore with his transcendent performance in the postseason. The former top draft pick has totaled 33 home runs and 104 RBIs in about one full season's worth of MLB action (152 games). When he's feeling it, Lewis has a rare ability to make the game look easy. He reminded us of such when he casually launched his first spring homer far beyond the left field wall last Monday.

Lewis's massive second-half slump last year can't be discounted entirely, but there's simply no question the guy was running on fumes physically. His contact metrics nose-dived as the third baseman struggled to summon his customary strength and ferocity at the plate. Lewis homering in his second game of spring training is an encouraging sign that he's got his juice back. He's got to stay healthy and show he can endure the marathon of a major-league season, but Lewis spent his winter focused on this essential goal.

The idea of finally getting our first semi-full season of Royce Lewis in a Twins uniform is beyond tantalizing. He has shown game-altering offensive ability like we've rarely seen, offering genuinely MVP-caliber upside. As long as he's healthy, Lewis will be a centerpiece of the lineup, and likely one of the league's most impactful hitters at third base. If he's not healthy, the Twins are fairly well equipped with contingency options at third base between Willi Castro, José Miranda and Brooks Lee.

THE BAD
It can't be taken for granted that Lewis will stay on the field for any length of time. He has been limited to one season's worth of games since 2022 because he has repeatedly been derailed by injuries, ranging from total flukes (slipping on ice during the offseason) to wall collisions to strains suffered while swinging and running the bases. 

The inevitable cloud of doubt surrounding Lewis's availability makes the depth behind him all the more important. And luckily, as mentioned, the Twins are in solid shape here. You're not going to replace what Royce can offer as an offensive force, but the team shouldn't have trouble fielding a capable hitter and defender at third base, whether the absence happens to be days or months. The main downside is how such a scenario would affect other positions — Castro, Miranda and Lee all have key roles to play elsewhere on this team, and they'd be getting pulled away from those roles to cover third. 

Setting aside health, which will obviously be the prevailing narrative for Lewis this season, his defense figures to be under a microscope when he's on the field. Last season he struggled frequently with throwing, too often misfiring across the diamond on routine plays. These lapses likely played a role in the team working Lewis out at second base late in the year. 

The Twins have backed off from that notion this spring, and they seem committed to sticking with Lewis at third base for the time being. It's fair to wonder how long that arrangement will remain, especially if he keeps airmailing throws. Given the way his physique has evolved, and the lack of a clear roadmap for Minnesota at first base, it wouldn't surprise me if Lewis found himself relocated there within the next year or two. 

THE BOTTOM LINE
We're all hoping Lewis can put together a full, healthy season while asserting himself as a high-caliber third baseman, digging in his heels at the position for the foreseeable future. Is it realistic? The 25-year-old has challenges to overcome in terms of health, stamina and defense. But he's an incredibly talented athlete and certainly should have what it takes to check all three boxes. 

Heading into 2025, third base belongs to Royce Lewis and is one of the team's highest-ceiling positions for that reason. How things will look heading into 2026 could be a different matter, but we'll worry about that then.

Share your thoughts on the outlook at third base below and check out the rest of our Position Analysis series:

• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Catcher
• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: First Base
• Twins 2025 Position Analysis: Second Base

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[tony&rodney]

We shall see if Lewis has regained some speed, quickness, and flexibility from his changed workout regime in the offseason. Hopefully he is improved as a third baseman. If Royce struggles this season again with the glove, he could be a good first baseman for the team. A pile of eyes will be watching Lewis because he has been consistently identified in the same sentence with Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton, which seems a little unfair to the young man.

[thelanges5]

He’s slimmed down a little and working with Cuddyer on defense. Plouffe has stated that he’d help him too. Captain obvious here but we need to have 4-5 times more games with Lewis, Correa, and Buck on the field together. Something they only accomplished 26 times in 2024. 

[LambchoP]

I can see Lewis improving defensively at 3b with more time there. If his struggles continue, or if he's hampered by nagging injuries again, his bat would profile great at first base. Playing there might keep him healthier too. Not to mention it would open 3b for Lee who is better there defensively. Lewis at first, Keaschal at 2nd, Correa at SS and Lee at third looks like a pretty good long term infield. We just need to figure out our plan at catcher.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, thelanges5 said:

He’s slimmed down a little and working with Cuddyer on defense. Plouffe has stated that he’d help him too.

Not that you need to be a gold glover to teach defense, but neither Cuddyer nor Plouffe was known for defensive prowess at 3B.

[DJL44]

This position is 4 MLB players deep. I am not worried.

[Karbo]

I see him as a great 1st baseman.

[Blyleven2011]

I'm sure Lewis has a chip on his shoulders to prove the doubters wrong ...

He'll be fine if healthy  ...

[terrydactyls]

11 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Not that you need to be a gold glover to teach defense, but neither Cuddyer or Plouffe was known for defensive prowess at 3B.

"Those who can't do - teach"

[Doctor Gast]

I'd considered Lewis for 1B this season only to cover for Miranda & help to protect him from some soft-tissue injury which he could still be susceptible to. But since we got France & Baldelli hasn't considered him IMO it's out the question. IMO this season Lewis is healthier, will have more stamina & hopefully they can get the INF coach to help him with his throwing. Lewis will be a very good 3Bman. 3B should be one of our deepest positions, so keep Miranda off there.

[Jocko87]

I have to assume some of the same things that caused the slump at the plate played a factor on defense as well.

Worn down probably is harder on defense especially with the issues being seemingly concentration related. Regardless, the first month or two of the season will be a more true sample of his actual MLB defensive ability. 

He projected as solid defensively and bounced back from several setbacks along the way. I'm expecting a bounce back here.

[bean5302]

I'm concerned about the Twins coaches even understanding the fundamentals of defense. I can't remember a single plus defender who was developed in Falvey's regime. I don't think it's ever happened, has it? We'll see whether or not the coaches can help Lewis with his throwing accuracy, but considering they hadn't been able to address it in prior years (much to the chagrin and criticism levied by Trevor Plouffe), I'm not confident the Twins are hiring competent defensive coaches to begin with.

I don't have faith in Lewis being healthy this year. I just can't after the year after year waterfall of injuries, even if they were likely linked to the initial ACL tear and subsequent loss of stability in different muscle groups.

Royce Lewis has the talent, personality, and the physical skillset to truly be the face of the franchise and a nationally recognized star. I hope, I don't expect, though.

[JADBP]

Geez don’t be such a downer, man!