Road to a Rebound: Royce Lewis

[NYCTK]

Funny enough, Bo Bichette is playing 2B tonight in the World Series. A position he hasn't played since 2019.

Can't wait for him to complain to the media about it. 

[sweetmusicviola16]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

I believe his biggest injuries is behind him. His soft tissue injuries will get better. Giving up on Lewis is being very short-sighted.

Very short sided. I decided to look at the rostered players this morning. Lewis is the only player we have who over a 162 game average has averaged in the neighborhood of 30HR and 100 RBI. Buxton and Wallner are in the 30 HR park but fall well short in the RBI. No we need to stay with Lewis until he becomes an FA. Unless the return was out of the park good. Then you listen and consider anybody. But we are talking Falvey as the GM, I can see him being persuaded by a deal that is not in our favor too.

[Mike Sixel]

58 minutes ago, KirbyDome89 said:

Without a doubt there are plenty of points to criticize this FO and/or management group, but I wouldn't include a lack of support for Lewis on the list of indictments. Buy in isn't unilateral, and Lewis being unhappy isn't necessarily an indicator of mistreatment. Royce's performance over the last 1.5 seasons has, for the most part, been brutal, yet he was a lineup fixture. 

What has the Twins org done to cause offense? Ask Royce to play 2B short term while making a desperate attempt to salvage the 2024 season? The next day he whined about not wanting to play there, and the team immediately obliged without remark. Pinch hit for him during a late game situation while he was in the midst of an awful stretch of baseball? Again, Lewis complained about having to look over his shoulder while being allowed a leash no other players short of established stars could even come close to matching. Provide him with potential swing/mechanical fixes during the season? Royce cited concern about attempted changes affecting his future earnings, while being a black hole in the lineup. I mean....

I agree that there's a self preservation aspect at play, but I think it's mostly just immaturity protecting a bruised ego at this point. 

LOVE this post. 

[DocBauer]

"I would feel horrible if they put me out there and I'm missing plays that are routine or something,” Lewis had said on Monday, after his second-base debut. “We have plenty of really good second basemen and I don't want to mess up our defense just because we're going to try something new. It's not Spring Training -- or Triple-A, for that matter.”

Direct quote.

Yep. Sure sounds like a malcontent and trouble maker throwing his teammates and the organization under the bus doesn't it?

Can we just stop trying to invent some bad attitude about this kid? It's just become some ridiculous rhetoric that's been repeated constantly over the last year or so.

[Mike Sixel]

Just now, DocBauer said:

"I would feel horrible if they put me out there and I'm missing plays that are routine or something,” Lewis had said on Monday, after his second-base debut. “We have plenty of really good second basemen and I don't want to mess up our defense just because we're going to try something new. It's not Spring Training -- or Triple-A, for that matter.”

Direct quote.

Yep. Sure sounds like a malcontent and trouble maker throwing his teammates and the organization under the bus doesn't it?

Can we just stop trying to invent some bad attitude about this kid? It's just become some ridiculous rhetoric that's been repeated constantly over the last year or so.

Other players switch positions.....What has he said in the last two years that showed any maturity or leadership or team first? He won't even take coaching......

[NYCTK]

5 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

"I would feel horrible if they put me out there and I'm missing plays that are routine or something,” Lewis had said on Monday, after his second-base debut. “We have plenty of really good second basemen and I don't want to mess up our defense just because we're going to try something new. It's not Spring Training -- or Triple-A, for that matter.”

Direct quote.

Yep. Sure sounds like a malcontent and trouble maker throwing his teammates and the organization under the bus doesn't it?

Can we just stop trying to invent some bad attitude about this kid? It's just become some ridiculous rhetoric that's been repeated constantly over the last year or so.

What did Bo Bichette say about being asked to play 2B tonight in the World Series for only the second time since 2018?

Has he complained to the media? Or did he suck it up and maybe express gratitude for the opportunity? 

It's just a FACT that Royce Lewis COMPLAINED to the media about being asked to play baseball in position of slight discomfort. And no one is wrong to point that out as a strike against him. 

[DocBauer]

Royce Lewis had offered an uncharacteristic amount of pushback late last summer when the Twins had toyed with the idea of giving him defensive opportunities at second base, but that had less to do with his opposition to the idea as a whole -- and more that he didn’t want to be pushed to a new position and have to learn it on the fly with a playoff push on the line.

But this offseason, with time to prepare, his tone has been decidedly different, according to manager Rocco Baldelli.

Baldelli and bench coach Jayce Tingler got lunch with Lewis and Trevor Larnach on Monday in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ahead of the start of the Winter Meetings, where Lewis shared with his manager that he’d been taking ground balls on both sides of second base -- which certainly leaves the door open to making the transition to second base, if needed.

 

[Riverbrian]

I've never seen Royce Lewis interact with his manager or front office.

I don't know what he will do or won't do or how he responds to requests from his manager, coaches or front office. I'm unaware of any lines drawn in the sand. Not every ounce of molehill sized unhappiness needs to be a mountain. 

Expressing publicly that he doesn't want to play 2B.

A. Doesn't mean that he won't play 2B if the Manager tells him to go out there

B. It doesn't mean that he wouldn't give 100% if the manager tells him to go play 2B. 

C. It doesn't mean that the mere suggestion of playing 2B made him call his agent and demand a trade. 

D. It doesn't mean that the manager or front office backed off the idea because of Royce. 

I don't know what it means other than he expressed that he wasn't comfortable playing 2B when asked. We all ask for honesty instead of PR scripts. He was honest. I'm going to try and not twist his words. We were all pretty sure that Buxton was gone a few years ago over service time. Buxton even said something publicly about his displeasure.   

Bottom Line: If the Manager needs him to play 2B... He plays 2B. He is allowed to wish he was playing 3B but he plays 2B because the manager thinks it gives the team a better lineup. 

All I know is this:

Royce Lewis is under team control for 3 more seasons. He won't be eligible for free agency until 2029.  

If you want to trade Royce Lewis... His value has been lowered significantly due to his performance. YOU DON"T TRADE HIM NOW!!! 

If he is truly concerned about how much money he makes. How big is his Arbtration raise and eventually how much he makes in 2029 as a free agent.

It would be in his best interest to start hitting the ball, stay healthy, don't leave any type of impression publicly with the front offices of the other teams that he is uncoachable, unwilling or difficult in any way. 

I would also advise for his consideration.

If he enters free agency with the skills to play 3B and 2B. He will have more teams interested in him because all the teams who need a 3B will be calling and all the teams who need 2B will be calling. This increases the number of teams interested with holes to fill. More teams interested... the more teams bidding... the higher the contract goes. 

Unless he snaps out of this hitting funk. It's actually kind of silly to be thinking about 2029.  

[NYCTK]

10 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Royce Lewis had offered an uncharacteristic amount of pushback late last summer when the Twins had toyed with the idea of giving him defensive opportunities at second base, but that had less to do with his opposition to the idea as a whole -- and more that he didn’t want to be pushed to a new position and have to learn it on the fly with a playoff push on the line.

But this offseason, with time to prepare, his tone has been decidedly different, according to manager Rocco Baldelli.

Baldelli and bench coach Jayce Tingler got lunch with Lewis and Trevor Larnach on Monday in the Dallas-Fort Worth area ahead of the start of the Winter Meetings, where Lewis shared with his manager that he’d been taking ground balls on both sides of second base -- which certainly leaves the door open to making the transition to second base, if needed.

 

A guy that had played SS most of his life, and he felt "terrified" to play 2B? 

Sounds like someone I really want to put a lot of confidence in as an organization. 

And I don't know why you posted this, because this does nothing to dispute the FACT that Royce Lewis complained to the media when he was asked to play 2B in late 2024. It just shows the reason is he was a big old baby that was too scared and he needed to do it on HIS terms. 

 

[jmlease1]

I love how people are convinced that they know Royce Lewis based on a few interviews, maybe some social media, and what they've watched on tv. If there's one thing that various reveals of player's private lives (both during and after their careers on the field have concluded) it's that we don't effing know them. We don't know what's in their heads, and we don't know what's in their hearts. You hope that the public face is matched by their private selves when it's a positive one and (in at least some cases) that a grouchy/unpleasant exterior is just a front for a cuddly teddy bear when things are negative. But you don't know.

You can't.

Hells bells, we've had people around here try and be the Body Language Doctor and sell the idea that a player was a bad teammate because of how they interpreted what they thought they saw in the dugout after a home run. Once.

It's just as crazy to read too much or too little into a couple of statements from Royce Lewis. Maybe the "I don't do slumps" was just a bit of self-bravado from a guy who was a struggling or a signal that he's a delusional fool...or maybe it was just a careless comment.

In 4 seasons, Royce Lewis has never had a healthy year. This was the healthiest year he's ever had, and he still only hit 106 games. I imagine that's taken a real toll.

Hopefully having a healthy offseason lets him work on a hitting program that gets his bat speed and swing where it needs to be to catch up to fastballs again. Maybe a normal offseason lets him get comfortable in a process where he's not hacking at everything in order to make contact, and he gets a good base under him with his legs seemingly in better shape than they've been for some time. It was encouraging seeing his sprint speed tick up and him running comfortably.

It's a big year for him next season. 3B is his, but he's got to hit or it won't be long before he's non-tendered and looking for someone to take a chance on him. Have a big year, and he could be looking at a serious extension. I'm rooting for him to figure it out.

But I'm not going to pretend I know Royce Lewis or try to make judgments on whether he's selfish or any of this other psychoanalysis.

[sweetmusicviola16]

10 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I love how people are convinced that they know Royce Lewis based on a few interviews, maybe some social media, and what they've watched on tv. If there's one thing that various reveals of player's private lives (both during and after their careers on the field have concluded) it's that we don't effing know them. We don't know what's in their heads, and we don't know what's in their hearts. You hope that the public face is matched by their private selves when it's a positive one and (in at least some cases) that a grouchy/unpleasant exterior is just a front for a cuddly teddy bear when things are negative. But you don't know.

You can't.

Hells bells, we've had people around here try and be the Body Language Doctor and sell the idea that a player was a bad teammate because of how they interpreted what they thought they saw in the dugout after a home run. Once.

It's just as crazy to read too much or too little into a couple of statements from Royce Lewis. Maybe the "I don't do slumps" was just a bit of self-bravado from a guy who was a struggling or a signal that he's a delusional fool...or maybe it was just a careless comment.

In 4 seasons, Royce Lewis has never had a healthy year. This was the healthiest year he's ever had, and he still only hit 106 games. I imagine that's taken a real toll.

Hopefully having a healthy offseason lets him work on a hitting program that gets his bat speed and swing where it needs to be to catch up to fastballs again. Maybe a normal offseason lets him get comfortable in a process where he's not hacking at everything in order to make contact, and he gets a good base under him with his legs seemingly in better shape than they've been for some time. It was encouraging seeing his sprint speed tick up and him running comfortably.

It's a big year for him next season. 3B is his, but he's got to hit or it won't be long before he's non-tendered and looking for someone to take a chance on him. Have a big year, and he could be looking at a serious extension. I'm rooting for him to figure it out.

But I'm not going to pretend I know Royce Lewis or try to make judgments on whether he's selfish or any of this other psychoanalysis.

Thank you for this comment. This sums us all up very well. I'm an introvert and sometimes upon meeting someone I'm taken as crabby or stand offish by others. In my heart I know that I'm neither. But many want to take one interaction and think they know exactly who I am. I don't know Royce whatsoever. But what I do know of him is when he is on his game he can turn this team around. As was stated he won't be a FA until 2029. I don't expect in his case for there to be an extension. Hopefully we will again see the player we saw in 2023. If he ever is traded that is the value we need to seek in return. Trading him now will not net us premium return I am certain.

[JD-TWINS]

3 hours ago, bean5302 said:

I think there's an issue with the front office and management at play here. Lewis has clearly been unhappy for a while. If you don't believe your employer has your back and best interests at heart, wouldn't you be resistent to their input? Buy-in is critical, and nobody gets buy-in from their employees without making it clear how the adjustments are going to benefit the employee.

Lewis' comments have suggested to me he doesn't trust the team, and he doesn't believe they're putting him in a spot to be successful. It reads like he's turtling up to protect his own future. 

In regard to who he is, I think a lot of what Royce will be able to do depends on whether or not he's finally able to put those ACLs and leg injuries behind him. Where he's not playing hurt or scared of aggravating injuries at the plate or on the base paths.

As others have pointed out and my eye test would agree with, the fact that he looked pretty good at 3B from mid-summer forward AND he stole 11 of 12 times over last (roughly) 35 games. To me, the legs, and confidence to use them, is back.

He needs to sort himself, with coaching input, at the plate.

[theBOMisthebomb]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

In 4 seasons, Royce Lewis has never had a healthy year. This was the healthiest year he's ever had, and he still only hit 106 games. I imagine that's taken a real toll

It's this injury riddled history combined with the I don't do slumps jinx comment and the 2B comments that turned Royce's once stellar reputation into something viewed by many as sketchy. The fans can only make their judgment based on the information they see and are shown. The human element is a factor in what makes following a team long term interesting. You are right it's all just speculation. 

The Twins have to just play Royce the next three seasons to see what they have and hope the guy stays healthy. I'd bet you the mortgage he's really a nice kid. It does not matter either way, he needs to produce on the field and stay healthy. 

[bean5302]

I'd agree he looked like he was starting to regain his swagger. His sprint speed still being 45 grade instead of 70 grade on the season suggests he's not quite all back yet. It's going to take a great offseason and hopefully his confidence will come back. It takes a while after injuries like that (or even smaller ones) before the confidence in your body returns.

[tony&rodney]

Reading the comments on Twins Daily leads me to believe that Lewis is easily the most favored Twins beside Byron Buxton. In post after post there are a myriad of statements offered in defense of Lewis. A common opinion is that he cannot be traded because his value is at its lowest point.

The 2025 MN Twins were far from an entertaining baseball club and their record was poor. We can fairly state that the roster as is may be among the five worst in MLB, which may be generous. Changes need to be made. The last two winters the front office stood still more or less and we watched the results. Is that what people think is the plan?

When I think of possible rosters, Lewis is on most iterations, but the Twins should absolutely be checking with teams on every player if they can create a better roster,  including discussing Royce Lewis. I have heard the low value excuse on Julien, Wallner, Lewis, and others. Julien lost his value in the last two years. Others can easily follow. My mind is open to all changes and I'm certainly not afraid of any player becoming a star with another team. Trades are supposed to be mutually beneficial and I'm hoping that the players who arrive via trade are useful in making the 2026 team more interesting and also more likely to win.

[TopGunn#22]

I agree that every player on the Twins roster should be open to discussion with other teams regarding possible trades to reshape the roster and current talent distribution.  But the "Sell High" and "Buy Low" mantra is a solid philosophy.  

I know I constantly bring up BBTV, even though I don't pay to have the privilege to post suggested trades, I like to see how players are valued.  BBTV is the only kind of rating system available to fans like us.  Lewis currently has a value of 11.0, which is kind of a neutral value primarily because he's not due to make any kind of salary for several years.

There ARE guys who's current value as judged by BBTV is just too low to make a trade with any chance of decent value coming back.  Pablo Lopez at 7.3 is a great example, and his $21 million dollar salary is very acceptable for what he could deliver.  Guys like Julien or Miranda have such a low value that you'd question what, if any value you'd get back.  A guy like Wallner at 22.5 could still bring something pretty darn good back. 

The glimpse of greatness that Lewis showed Twins fans tells ME that I wouldn't trade him this off season.  With the exception of his hitting, EVERYTHING he did over the last 77 games he played was encouraging.  His glove and range were noticeably better.  He was actually able to RUN.  He stole 11 bases in 12 attempts.  You just don't do that if you have any doubt that your legs can do it.  He finally just "played the game" without reservations in the back of his mind.  In terms of possible outcomes for 2026, I was ENCOURAGED.  

His swing is still messed up, and that just reinforces my belief that hitting a baseball is HARD.  And that hitting a baseball thrown by a Major League pitcher is REALLY HARD !!  He will have a new manager and a new hitting coach (Nelson Cruz??) and the hope is that with a better approach he will stop being so pull happy and use the entire field.  I hope the new hitting coach can convince him that he doesn't need to pull everything to hit the ball out of the park.

We've been saying this for a couple year now on TD, but I think 2026 is truly a make or break year for Lewis.  The 3B job is HIS.  He's healthier going into this off season than he's been in years.  He will have a new manager and hitting coach to work with.  There is opportunity there if he seizes it.  

If I was a potential Twins manager candidate or batting coach candidate, I would have showed up to my first interview having studied Royce Lewis above ALL other Twins players.  I would have a plan specifically for Royce Lewis detailing how I intend to turn this guy into the #3 or #4 hitter the Twins need him to be.  While I'm excited to see Walker Jenkins in the near future, no player on the Twins other than Byron Buxton duplicating his 2025 season has the ability to affect the Twins more positively on the field than Royce Lewis.

In the always winnable A.L. Central, Royce Lewis having a great season could put the Twins right back into the thick of contention.  It's what we've ALL been hoping for, ever since that wonderful second half and post season of 2023.  

[wornsmooth]

First, a disclaimer.

My only knowledge about hitting comes from watching people who can hit. IOW, not much.

That said, am I correct that a lot of his swings the past year or so ended with his right hand off the bat, finishing off an arcing swing with just the left hand?

Leaving the sense that the bat is being waved at the ball, rather than driven at the ball with the right hand and wrist making the bat slash.

Or is my comment display how little I actually know.

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

19 hours ago, theBOMisthebomb said:

It's this injury riddled history combined with the I don't do slumps jinx comment and the 2B comments that turned Royce's once stellar reputation into something viewed by many as sketchy. The fans can only make their judgment based on the information they see and are shown. The human element is a factor in what makes following a team long term interesting. You are right it's all just speculation. 

The Twins have to just play Royce the next three seasons to see what they have and hope the guy stays healthy. I'd bet you the mortgage he's really a nice kid. It does not matter either way, he needs to produce on the field and stay healthy. 

He also said he didn't want to take coaching, while being unable to hit last year. That's the one that bothers me. 

[tony&rodney]

Royce Lewis was picked Round 1, Pick 1 in 2017. Since that time he has become a darling to Twins fans, first with his charm and then with those majestic grand slams. He turns 27 next June. In four years Royce has 1008 PA, a .310 OBP, a .762 OPS, a 109 OPS+, and 4.1 WAR among his statistical numbers. Those are not bad. The general consensus based on numerous comments is that Lewis' value is currently at a low point. It's possible but we can't know that. While I don't believe he will be traded, the Twins need to be open to all ideas and in contact with all teams about all of their players. The Twins need to make a minimum of 3 trades and I have no idea who will be on the move. I don't really subscribe to low value on players who are not stars. Julien had high value two years ago. Like Julien, Lewis was a star in 2023. I'm as hopeful as the next person but Buxton is the only sure keeper among Twins position players. Of course, the team isn't turning over the other eight guys, but I'm staying hopeful for some positive changes, which may see some people losing their favorite Twin.

[Parfigliano]

On 10/24/2025 at 5:57 AM, Cory Engelhardt said:

It truly will come down to him in my opinion. IF he can get back to even 80% of what he was in 2023 in to 2024, then they are a different team next year. 

Lewis is the problem.  Not solution.

[Cory Engelhardt]

32 minutes ago, Parfigliano said:

Lewis is the problem.  Not solution.

Based on what?