Royce Lewis Returns: Trading the Hot Corner for DH

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Royce Lewis has been sidelined since suffering a left hamstring strain while running out a ground ball in spring training, delaying his 2025 debut by several weeks. This marks the second straight season Lewis has opened the year on the injured list due to a muscular issue running the bases, after missing two months with a right quadriceps strain on Opening Day in 2024. The Twins lineup picture has changed since this spring, which could signal a shifting role for Lewis as he returns. 

Defensive Concerns at Third Base
Lewis was drafted and developed as a shortstop in the Twins system. Throughout his professional career, scouts questioned his long-term defensive home, with many believing he’d need to move off shortstop. That became a self-fulfilling prophecy when Lewis bulked up during his rehab from multiple knee surgeries. His added muscle mass helped his power development but has hindered his speed. Third base seemed like a natural next step for Lewis, but the transition has come with some bumps. 

In 2024, Lewis committed six throwing errors in over 400 innings at the hot corner, tying for the fifth-highest total in Major League Baseball relative to his innings played. Statcast ranked his arm strength 28th among third basemen at an average of 84 mph, below the league average for the position. These defensive struggles, compounded by his recent hamstring injury, have cast doubt on his ability to handle the rigors of third base on a full-time basis.

Potential Shift to Designated Hitter
Minnesota could consider moving Lewis to DH for a variety of reasons. The team’s desire to preserve his offensive contributions is key, which could involve more DH time. The Twins have other options at third base, including some players who are considered better defenders. There is also a chance that keeping him off his legs could deter some injuries.   

By logging more games at DH, Lewis can avoid the lateral stresses and high-impact plays at third base, theoretically reducing the risk of hamstring and quadriceps strains. However, it’s important to note that many of Lewis’s soft-tissue injuries have occurred while running. Even as a DH, he’ll still be susceptible to those risks on the bases. Minnesota’s willingness to give Lewis a breather in the field could be the team’s best chance to keep his bat in the lineup daily.

So, who are the team’s third base alternatives if Lewis is at DH?

Brooks Lee
In Lewis's absence, Brooks Lee has provided stability and strong defense at third base. His OAA ranks in the 84th percentile to start the season, even with him missing time on the IL. His reliable glovework and developing bat give Minnesota confidence to continue handing him the hot corner, even as Lewis gets up to speed.

Willi Castro
Utilityman Willi Castro is currently on the 10-day injured list with a strained right oblique but is expected to return around the same time as Lewis. He offers multi-positional flexibility, having logged time at second base, shortstop, corner infield spots, and DH this season. Castro’s ability to move around a patchwork infield makes him an ideal bench piece and spot starter at third base upon his return.

Jonah Bride
Acquired from the Marlins on April 16, Jonah Bride is a low-cost infielder whose bat the Twins hope to keep active low in the lineup. Bride had gone 4-for-40 with two RBIs in Miami before the trade and projects as a backup infielder who can play third and first base. He has already been worth 1 OAA at third base with the Twins. He won’t play every day, but the Twins might need to use him at third when he is in the lineup. 

Balancing Workload and Health
Minnesota’s infield depth allows them to rest Lewis defensively without sacrificing quality at the hot corner. By rotating Lee, Castro, and Bride across third base and DH, the Twins can manage Lewis’s innings on the dirt, giving him days off in the field and reducing the accumulation of high-impact plays. This could be crucial for a player whose most recent injuries have come on the bases, ensuring that when Lewis does take the field, he’s fresh and focused on making clean plays.

Lewis’s impending return is a significant boost for Minnesota’s lineup, but it comes at a time when protecting his health is paramount. A hybrid role (where he splits time between third base and DH) leverages his elite bat while preserving his legs and arm. Ultimately, this strategy could unlock Lewis’s full potential, allowing him to consistently stay on the field and contribute to Minnesota returning to contending.

Should Lewis see more time at DH when he returns? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[gman]

The more games Lewis sits out, the more I think he is the long term first baseman. Lee can handle third. Although only a small sample size, I think Keaschall is the future second baseman. If Carlos can hold up at short stop, this could give the Twins a set infield.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

If there is that much concern about his defense, sure, he should DH more.  Certainly he can take the occasional "half-day off" of DH to recharge his batteries, but not as a position move. If the concern is for injury, that's pretty silly.  He's still in his twenties and athletic.  He got hurt running down the first base line.  Playing third base or not, he might get hurt again.  If we aren't going to get maximum value out of him now, then when will we?  I get that the perceived value in Lewis is in his bat (we hope!), but I personally don't think that a move is necessary. 

If the concern is defense, then perhaps a move to first base could be in order, but that's an off-season move, not an in-season move.

[Patzky]

8 minutes ago, gman said:

The more games Lewis sits out, the more I think he is the long term first baseman. Lee can handle third. Although only a small sample size, I think Keaschall is the future second baseman. If Carlos can hold up at short stop, this could give the Twins a set infield.

That's a decent lineup. Not sure how Larnach's defense will hold up but a Bader Buxton Wallner Emma outfield in 2025 sounds ok too.

[Vanimal46]

Let’s hope both were called up because they’re fully healthy - not out of pure desperation for more offense. Hamstring and oblique injuries are notorious for recurring tweaks throughout the season if they’re not fully recovered. 

[Patzky]

Since we are all doing this today here's Tuesdays lineup against Cade Povich.

 

CF Buxton  3B Lee  1B France

C Jeffers DH Lewis SS Correa 

RF Larnach LF Bader 2B Castro 

[SD happy]

I’m really sorry to see the ‘fall’ of Julien as a hitter. I really thought he was going to be an impact hitter for the Twins. His 2022 minor league season was strong. 300 BA, 930 OPS and 17 homers. I saw hem in 2023 spring training and it seemed like every ball he hit was a line drive. When he came up as a rookie, he had a solid year including 17 home runs. Then 2024 happened. I was hoping that was an aberration and he would come back strong in 2025. No such luck.

i think he was changing his mechanics and it became a mental thing. I remember last April, he hit 6 or 7 homers. The first 5 or 6 were hit to left field. His 6th or 7th was pulled to RF. I remember his interview with Audra after the game. She asked him about RF homer. Eddie smiled and said he was working hard on his swing to pull the ball more. I thought why change your swing when you’re already having success. Who cares if your hits go left or right, as long as they’re hits.

[4twinsJA]

Lewis did injure himself running to first base, not while playing the field. Keeping yourself warmed up and ready to run as a DH is not that easy, let alone being able to stay in the game mentally when you don't play the field. It takes work to transition to DH on a regular basis. Buxton struggled last year. With that said, Lewis is not that great at 3B, France has 1B locked up for the year, maybe start getting Lewis practicing at 1B to potentially make the move next year.

[Mark G]

Enough of the "rotating" infielders between positions and DH, OK?  Put the man where you think he will give you his best and let him play; that goes for everyone else on the team as well.  We don't need half a dozen utility players and a handful of "regulars" doing circles around the diamond.  Put him at third until he proves he sucks too much to stay there; if that happens we will move him.  

Not every position is so flexible that any player can just slide into it depending on what lineup Rocco's spreadsheet calls for against a particular pitcher.  The players need a chance to solidify the position they play best and just play.  That frees up the mind to just play naturally and let their talent take over instead of always having to overthink every play of every inning.  

[HerbieFan]

His quad/hamstring injuries the last two years have been when running the bases, which we'd all like to see him do MORE of.  Not sure DHing only is the answer.  

At what point do they start transitioning him to first base.  Or, like his "move" to 2B or Mirandas move to 1B in the past, maybe they just stick him over there without any preparation and expect him to miraculously suddenly be good at it.

[DJL44]

I doubt they will make Lewis DH all the time but he's going to get his fair share.

[William K Johnson]

The problem here isn't third, it's second base.   I was hoping that once Lewis returned, he could play third and move Lee to second.   If you DH Lewis, what do you do with Larnach when Wallner returns? Maybe Castro when he gets back.   But please, no more Julien. And I agree with an earlier post that Lewis has never been hurt fielding the ball, all of his injuries have come running bases.

[bean5302]

How often do guys get hurt playing in the infield? Rarely.
How often does moving a guy off a position to DH make them healthier? Pretty much never, except for catchers.

How often do fans speculate such a change will make a guy healthier? Always. There is no significant increase in injury rate for infielders when it comes to leg issues like Royce has suffered from. If he's getting sore, sure, put him at DH in the short term if he needs to build up (but he really should be in AAA for that). That said, a full-time 3B gets about 3 chances a game to make a play so taking a setup position every time a pitcher throws a pitch is the extent of the load.

Royce Lewis should either be playing in the field or traded to a different team. There is literally a 20 run difference in value between DH and 3B, positionally, over the course of a year. It's night and day.

[NYCTK]

3 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

How often do guys get hurt playing in the infield? Rarely.
How often does moving a guy off a position to DH make them healthier? Pretty much never, except for catchers.

How often do fans speculate such a change will make a guy healthier? Always. There is no significant increase in injury rate for infielders when it comes to leg issues like Royce has suffered from. If he's getting sore, sure, put him at DH in the short term if he needs to build up (but he really should be in AAA for that). That said, a full-time 3B gets about 3 chances a game to make a play so taking a setup position every time a pitcher throws a pitch is the extent of the load.

Royce Lewis should either be playing in the field or traded to a different team. There is literally a 20 run difference in value between DH and 3B, positionally, over the course of a year. It's night and day.

But it worked wonders with Buxton! 

[GNess]

7 minutes ago, William K Johnson said:

The problem here isn't third, it's second base.   I was hoping that once Lewis returned, he could play third and move Lee to second.   If you DH Lewis, what do you do with Larnach when Wallner returns? Maybe Castro when he gets back.   But please, no more Julien. And I agree with an earlier post that Lewis has never been hurt fielding the ball, all of his injuries have come running bases.

Lewis injured his ACL playing in CF.

[DJL44]

5 minutes ago, GNess said:

Lewis injured his ACL playing in CF.

And injured himself slipping on the ice at his home. Playing DH isn't going to prevent that one.

[Bodie]

If he is mainly a DH going forward,  this would have to be considered an abject failure in development. 

[Mike Sixel]

Too bad he's not willing to play wherever the team needs him like Betts is....

I think he's the long term 1B. Keaschell at second, Lee at third. 

For now? I guess third, because Julien can't play the field, with Lee to second. 

[Craig Arko]

My concern is that this is being hurried to generate ticket sales. I’ve seen an ad “Royce is back! Two tickets for $23.00.”

Hope he’s really ready.

[CRF]

I think the knee injuries...especially the second one, were kind of a fluke. Hey...here's an idea...let's throw him out in CF? What's the worst that could happen? Well..it did. No doubt they were extremely unfortunate for him and the team. Buku bad luck. The hammy can happen to anyone...happens all the time. To make him the full time DH would be as bad as making Buxton the full time DH was. Lewis has to play the field...especially now. We need him out there. If the long term plan for him is to play 1st...then let's get him some reps there. Don't make him the full time DH. 

[bean5302]

53 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Too bad he's not willing to play wherever the team needs him like Betts is....

I think he's the long term 1B. Keaschell at second, Lee at third. 

For now? I guess third, because Julien can't play the field, with Lee to second. 

Lewis is not opposed to playing 2B. He wasn't comfortable swapping out of the blue, and on a Rocco whim, to a premium defensive position he'd never played in his life during the end of a playoff race. A defensive position which requires more range than 3B while he was battling lower body injuries during the middle of his first major slump at the plate. The reasoning? Maybe Lewis would be better there? Why not just see what happens? It was absolutely asinine of Rocco to ask Lewis to make the change and reflects poorly on Baldelli's knowledge of his players and the game of baseball in general.

Royce Lewis on aversion to 2B Last year -

Quote

“It’s not about a position change more than just I don’t feel as comfy at the place that we’re in, in the standings,” Lewis said Monday. “If we were the White Sox, I mean, sure, let’s try something new if that’s what they want to do. But I don’t think we’re the White Sox. We’re trying to win a division.”

This Lewis won't play 2B is similar to the made up stuff about Kepler refusing to play CF. Kepler preferred not playing CF because he felt he wore down which became legend around here that where Kepler refused to play the position. There are tons and tons of examples across baseball of guys being pushed off their positions or being asked to play different positions where the players pushed back for various reasons. Few of the "pushbacks" had the kind of credibility in reasoning Lewis had last year. 

Mookie Betts is making $365MM guaranteed, was drafted as a 2B and played 2B, SS, CF and RF in the minors. Betts generally swapped positions during the offseason when there was time to get him practice in Spring Training, though he did suddenly make a 7 game shift to 2B (a position he'd played 100s of games) in 2021 for the Dodgers during an emergency, not because the manager thought it might make him better or just on some manager's whim. It's totally apples-oranges.

[mickster]

2 hours ago, Patzky said:

That's a decent lineup. Not sure how Larnach's defense will hold up but a Bader Buxton Wallner Emma outfield in 2025 sounds ok too.

I expect Emma to be a part of any significant trade that is made

[Fire Dan Gladden]

1 hour ago, Mark G said:

Enough of the "rotating" infielders between positions and DH, OK?  Put the man where you think he will give you his best and let him play; that goes for everyone else on the team as well.  We don't need half a dozen utility players and a handful of "regulars" doing circles around the diamond.  Put him at third until he proves he sucks too much to stay there; if that happens we will move him.  

Not every position is so flexible that any player can just slide into it depending on what lineup Rocco's spreadsheet calls for against a particular pitcher.  The players need a chance to solidify the position they play best and just play.  That frees up the mind to just play naturally and let their talent take over instead of always having to overthink every play of every inning.  

This is not a "Rocco" approach, this is an MLB approach. Most every team cycles players through the DH to give them a rest. Blame Rocco for other things, but not this.

[Fire Dan Gladden]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

How often do guys get hurt playing in the infield? Rarely.
How often does moving a guy off a position to DH make them healthier? Pretty much never, except for catchers.

How often do fans speculate such a change will make a guy healthier? Always. There is no significant increase in injury rate for infielders when it comes to leg issues like Royce has suffered from. If he's getting sore, sure, put him at DH in the short term if he needs to build up (but he really should be in AAA for that). That said, a full-time 3B gets about 3 chances a game to make a play so taking a setup position every time a pitcher throws a pitch is the extent of the load.

Royce Lewis should either be playing in the field or traded to a different team. There is literally a 20 run difference in value between DH and 3B, positionally, over the course of a year. It's night and day.

I remember going through this discussion here a while back when it came to certain positions being more prone to injury and moving players to different position players to keep them healthy (Buxton out of CF was a big one). I do not believe there was any public empirical proof one way or another (other than catcher).

Lewis' bat is not good enough to warrant a full-time DH slot. They need to find the best position for him (3B, 1B, 2B, whatever) that the Twins feel will keep him in the lineup and make it work.

[Linus]

Royce was the number1 overall pick, primarily because of his athleticism. If he has to DH or play first this will be another developmental failure. Keaschall is not a good fielder and maybe worse than that yet some people want him to play 2nd, a position requiring athleticism, over Royce the top draft pick?  Makes no sense. 

[Mike Sixel]

3 minutes ago, Linus said:

Royce was the number1 overall pick, primarily because of his athleticism. If he has to DH or play first this will be another developmental failure. Keaschall is not a good fielder and maybe worse than that yet some people want him to play 2nd, a position requiring athleticism, over Royce the top draft pick?  Makes no sense. 

Royce isn't willing to change positions mid year. He's made that clear.

[DJL44]

50 minutes ago, mickster said:

I expect Emma to be a part of any significant trade that is made

I don't. This is a veterans-for-prospects deadline.

[Patzky]

16 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Royce isn't willing to change positions mid year. He's made that clear.

Mid year! It's just beginning for him

[Mike Sixel]

6 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

The article mentions him bulking up.  I think that contributed to his soft tissue issues.  I also believe that if he sits as a DH instead of moving around in the field, might that not make it MORE likely that he'd be injured while running bases?  I know he can stretch in between at-bats, but that's not the same as moving around fielding.

How much does a 3b really move around? I have no idea....

[chpettit19]

25 minutes ago, Linus said:

Royce was the number1 overall pick, primarily because of his athleticism. If he has to DH or play first this will be another developmental failure. Keaschall is not a good fielder and maybe worse than that yet some people want him to play 2nd, a position requiring athleticism, over Royce the top draft pick?  Makes no sense. 

Luke Keaschall is more athletic than Royce Lewis right now. And he's not a bad fielder. He can play 2nd base.