The Twins are All-In on Royce Lewis (Again)

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins have not been subtle about their belief in Royce Lewis this winter. Shortly after being hired, manager Derek Shelton made a point to visit several core players in person, a gesture that sent a message about how he intends to lead. Lewis was one of the first stops. At the Winter Meetings, Shelton took that message public on MLB Network, calling Lewis the type of player who can elevate a franchise.

“This guy has a chance to be a superstar," Shelton said.

Minnesota’s front office echoed that tone throughout the week. Their collective approach feels intentional. They want Lewis to feel supported, challenged, and surrounded by stability as he enters a pivotal stage of his career. For a player whose performance often rises with confidence, it is clear the Twins see value in reaffirming his place in their long-term plans.

Highs and Lows of His Career
The story of Lewis has always been dramatic, from the day the Twins took him with the first overall pick. At his best, he looks like one of the most electric players in the sport. Falvey highlighted that when speaking with reporters.

“Royce has gone through so many ups and downs in his career at this point. We all know that," Falvey said. "There were huge, awesome moments, right? Go back to [2023] and big moments in postseason games and things you could not really believe were happening.”

Those moments are the reason the Twins refuse to give up on the idea that he could still become a franchise pillar. But the team has also been forced to navigate long absences, extended recovery periods, and the uncertainty that comes with repeated setbacks

“Obviously, the injuries that he’s dealt with at different times," Falvey said. "I think quite frankly, some of his performance was a result of some of those injuries and trying to track back and try to get himself where he needs to be physically.”

This ebb and flow has made it challenging to project Lewis from one season to the next. Yet, the organization believes that with maturity and better health, the extremes in his performance will gradually smooth out. Falvey noted that Lewis is beginning to understand how to manage those waves, both physically and emotionally.

Defensive Improvements Last Season
One of the most encouraging developments last year was Lewis’s defensive trajectory. Early in the season, there were questions about how consistently he could handle third base, but by late summer, he appeared more polished and reliable. Falvey pointed to that progress as evidence that Lewis can grow when given repetition and structure.

“The thing I took away from the end of the season with him was how much better he got defensively by staying consistent with the work, by doing the things every day,” he said.

Behind the scenes, coaches praised Lewis for taking ownership of his preparation. He embraced early work, leaned on infield instructors, and made the incremental gains the Twins had hoped to see. Falvey emphasized that this consistency was not accidental, but the result of a player starting to understand what everyday excellence requires.

“That’s the type of small wins every day that you build upon each other, and you find a way to become a better overall player. I think he found a way to do that.”

With Lewis now projected as the primary third baseman for 2026, the Twins are optimistic that last year’s improvements were the beginning of a more stable defensive foundation.

Need for Offensive Consistency in 2026
The offensive side, however, remains the most significant area of concern. Lewis has flashed elite bat speed and strength, but extended slumps, health interruptions, and an inability to stay in rhythm have limited his overall impact. Falvey addressed this directly.

“Now we have to get a little more consistency on that on the offensive side, and he knows that,” Falvey said.

The Twins believe that if Lewis can enter spring training fully healthy, he may finally get the uninterrupted runway necessary to find his timing and approach. The organization sees parallels to last year’s defensive gains, hoping that the same daily focus can push him toward becoming a more balanced hitter. Falvey added that a stable offseason and a cleaner spring could give Lewis a “build-up” similar to the one he experienced in the field.

Lewis does have superstar talent; the ingredients are all there. The question is whether 2026 becomes the season when everything finally lines up. The Twins are betting that it will, and based on the messaging from the front office and the manager’s chair, they want to make sure Lewis believes it, too.

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Do you still believe in Royce Lewis? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[thelanges5]

He told them that he’s got that wide receiver mentality. That’s like a cheat code for keeping the young man happy and engaged. I say lean into it help him get his head right. See if that translates to on the field performance.

[RpR]

2 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I could see him really taking off this season.  He is finally established defensively and we know he had it offensively in 2023, he just needs to get that back.  I hope for his sake and the Twins sake he finds it and  becomes the player we all know he can be.

How?🤩

[garn from vancouver]

he better do well. a couple xmas' ago i received a t-shirt with his face on it. 

[tony&rodney]

When I eff up badly, I just hope nobody knows. When I invest in something risky, I keep hoping it works out. Hubris.

Royce Lewis could be a superstar. Yes he could. Whenever i think of Lewis I think of our government (or some person) blathering about the greatest country in the history of the world. Baseball has a trove of statistics and so do governments. "We are men of action. Lies does not become us."

I'm hoping for the best ..... but I'm still hoping for change.

[bean5302]

Did Falvey also express disappointment Lewis wasn't asked to play at least 4 positions per game last year? Where's that coveted versatility? I honestly don't want to hear another word out of that talking head (Falvey).

[old nurse]

Healthy for a season would be a dramatic change. Working on his hitting skills in the offseason with a coach might be a good idea, i think it is possible neither will happen. 

[GNess]

Lewis is young enough to significantly alter his performance going forward. However, he is going to have  make huge improvements that very few MLB accomplish to attain superstar status that Falvey notes is possible. 

Just because he has shown bursts and stretches when healthy of elite production doesn't mean he can or will be able to consistently do so. But it does give some reason to hope.

Here's to hoping he makes a serious jump up.

[bunsen82]

He has one thing to work on, drill the outside pitch to the opposit field. Going for max velocity and trying to pull an outside pitch results in whiffs or weak contact. If he does that he will start seeing more inside pitches he can crush. If I were him I would be getting 200 to 300 balls a day opposite field. 

[Blyleven2011]

Lewis should be fine , he's got a good head on his shoulders and likes to play the game ...

The injuries have taken a toll on him some , I'm not sure but he didn't seem to be happy and maybe a new manager will help adjust his mental game ...

This is a make or break year for Lewis   I'd like to see some of the 2023 Lewis in 2026 ...

[Nashvilletwin]

Here’s hoping that he benefits greatly from the move to Shelton from Rocco.  He among several others.  

Lewis is going to get a long look this season with plenty of patience at being the 3B of the future. But ‘26 is possibly his last chance with the Twins. There are talented prospects on the way to compete with him.

Watching Lewis to see how he does this season is one of the things I’m most looking forward to for the ‘26 Twins. Here’s hoping he can find his mojo and some higher performance consistency. 

[RpR]

2 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Staying healthy and working hard with confidence.

Does not say how you know he is not just another flash in the pan.

Many high pick rookies fizzled within two years.

[twinstalker]

He's not a young star.  He's never been a star.  Maybe some day we'll look at our players objectively.

[mikelink45]

Another off season hope! 

Quote

“This guy has a chance to be a superstar," Shelton said.

So does everyone that makes it to the majors.

Quote

Lewis does have superstar talent; the ingredients are all there. The question is whether 2026 becomes the season when everything finally lines up. 

We do not know the real potential - we guess - the team guesses.  We all want to see him succeed, but at this point it is just off season wishing.  

[Old Twins Hat]

Last March, I flicked on a broadcast of a Twins Spring Training Game just in time to hear Gladden expressing concern over how Lewis limped off after trying to beat out a dribbler.

Superstars don't go down with hamstring pulls in nothing games.  On dribblers.

Very often.

Got that Royce?

[Permanent Twins Fan]

Royce definitely flashed a ton of upside when he came up in 2023, but his career has kind of had a downhill trajectory since. I think that the increase in stolen bases, and hopefully a healthier offseason could help him have a good season this year offensively. While the bat has had issues in the last couple of years, he has shown tremendous growth defensively, and I don't think it is out of the realm of possibility for him to have a All-Star caliber season. I think that 90th percentile outcome for Royce this season is 25 HRs 15 SB, and an above-average glove at third base. If the Twins are going to try to compete in 2026, they will need Royce to be a lot better than he has been in the last couple of years, both on and off the field.

[DocBauer]

Can we, for a moment, just STOP with the Lewis articles? This has to be the most ridiculous "I need to be paid" article #5 or 6 since the 2025 season ended.

I'll just get everything negative out of the way. He's been injured a lot. He speaks before he thinks sometimes because he wears his heart/frustration on his sleeve. Someone should tell him to think before he speaks because he gets ripped when he says something honest, but is taken out of context, at least to some degree.

What's SELDOM ever offered up is an honest confession early in 2025....where we finally saw the perpetual optimism wall Royce always puts up...is how frustraded he has actually been.

After TWO knee surgeries, rehab, and physical changes, he's no longer the speedster SS drafted. Instead, he's a quality 3B with a TON of talent who has been mitigated post DUAL knee surgeries that he has admitted to robbing him of control and confidence in his approach. 

Imagine that? He finally admitted he's only human despite some of the amazing performances he's produced in limited opportunity. 

He played the most games of his career in 2025. He was slightly above ML average the 2nd half of 2025. His defense improved. He was actually so healthy for the 2nd half that he began to run again! 

Those are ALL positive signs that his ongoing physical therapy to prevent muscle injuries and re-knewed confidence are taking hold.

But if you expect SUPERMAN for 2026 and beyond, even considering some of the crazy performances Lewis HAS done, you're just fooling yourself. 

All he has to do is bat .270  and OB of about .325 and SLUG 35 Dbls with 25 HR per season. That ISN'T SUPERMAN. But that's a damn fine ballplayer!

Still only 26yo, you want to bet against him?

[SteveLV]

Do you mean Lewis will be the token Twins All Star representative, or that he will earn it?

If the latter, there is NOTHING in the last 300 games that suggests he is that caliber of player.  We can hope and dream, but this is a remote possibility at this point.  Remote is probably putting it kindly.

I know we are fans, but we also need to be objective.

Over the last 2 seasons he has 728 AB's, a .236 BA, .701 OPS, a 21% K rate, and a declining 7.1% BB rate.

He produced 1.3 WAR COMBINED between 2024 and 2025.

Defensively, he is a below average MLB 3B with a .958 fielding percentage, league average is .964.  He is -3 DRS at 3B.

Plus, he has been frequently injured.

That is simply not even close to All Star production from the 3B position.

Quite frankly, he does not have a job in MLB for good teams.  He is in AAA or traded to a bad team. Like the Twins.

Could he suddenly transform? Sure, anything is possible, but certainly unlikely.

(By the way, I hope I am wrong about Lewis and he becomes a stud.  It is just not a likely outcome at this point, but I will cheer him on!)

[Doctor Wu]

Do I still believe in Royce Lewis and his ability to be a star? Of course I do! I'm a longtime Twins fan and it's in my DNA to believe and hope. But I'm not a gambler, so I would hesitate to make any bets on this coming to fruition. Nevertheless, it he manages to stay healthy all season, this coming year may finally be the time we see Royce Lewis blossom into something special. The tools are obviously there, but he is the one that has to put it all together. Not sure it any special coaching can help at this point or not. Maybe a good sports psychologist would be a better avenue to explore.

[JADBP]

I have very high confidence that Royce can shine as a Twin.  
 

The first step was to get rid of Rocco and the nonsensical bullcrap that Royce has had to put up with!!! 

Like: “Hey Royce, go play 2B today.  Oh, and go buy a 1Bman glove too!  You’re batting bottom of the order today but might slot you in at #4 tomorrow.  One more thing, Royce … can you pitch? “ Rocco was a NUTCASE with Royce.  

[tony&rodney]

In 2023 Lewis was one part of a tandem that showed promise. The other guy was actually, by a small measure, slightly better. Whatever happened to the love for Edouard Julien?

[Woof Bronzer]

Frankly the last thing Lewis needs is more people telling him he's a superstar.  Mr "I Don't Do Slumps" has yet to master the mental aspects of being a professional athlete.  2026 might be his last chance to prove he's not only part of the Twins core but an MLB starter period.  He needs to focus not on being a superstar but being a consistent, reliable, above average MLB starter.   

[Elliot]

This is the year to determine if he is the long term answer at 3B. Leave him alone and let him play 140 games there and get 500 plus at bats. Then make the decisions that need to be made.

Now if they will just do the same with Lee at 2B.  He is a below average defensive SS, but could be an average or above aveerage defensive second baseman. He just has to accept what 80% of the young men drafted as SS are faced with: they are not good enough to stay there long term. Once again it appears that probasbly 1/3 of the top draft prospects are listed as SS's, but few remain there. The Twins have 2 (Culpeper and Houston) who should be able to fill that role long term. Hand one of them the SS spot with the understanding that their job is to play defense.  Worry about the level of offensive production later.

Keaschel appears better suited for the OF, possible even CF, rather than 2B. Make the move now.

All oif this points to a simple fact.  To be a top defensive team, excellence at one spot trumps vversatilty. Versatility generally means adequate at many, but excellent at none. One or two of those types are great. A team full of them is a disaster.

[jmlease1]

14 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

In 2023 Lewis was one part of a tandem that showed promise. The other guy was actually, by a small measure, slightly better. Whatever happened to the love for Edouard Julien?

It wasn't a tandem, it was a trio: Wallner, Julien, and Lewis. The three of them had terrific seasons that really showed a promise of more. Wallner is the only one who was able to replicate the success the following season, struggled last year, and is widely reviled by a substantial number of posters around here. 

Julien has struggled to hit the last 2 seasons like Royce has, but Julien also hasn't shown the defensive upside. Even with Royce's injuries sapping his speed, he's shown more on the basepaths than Julien. Julien also hasn't had the kind of injuries that Royce has, and people (rightfully) are going to give more time and consideration to a player missing substantial time due to injury over one who has been quite healthy, but ineffective. I was on Team Julien, but MLB pitching has a playbook on him and he has not adjusted. And even with Royce's demonstrated struggles, he's still been significantly more productive the last 2 seasons.

I hope this is the season where Royce gets it back together at the plate. A healthy offseason (as far as we know?) can't hurt. He's got so much talent that giving up on him seems foolish. I'm not worrying about "all-star" at this point; if he simply hits at career averages, runs and defends like he did in the second half of the season, and plays 130 games, he'll be a quality starter and that would make a real impact for the Twins.

[Elliot]

18 minutes ago, Woof Bronzer said:

Frankly the last thing Lewis needs is more people telling him he's a superstar.  Mr "I Don't Do Slumps" has yet to master the mental aspects of being a professional athlete.  2026 might be his last chance to prove he's not only part of the Twins core but an MLB starter period.  He needs to focus not on being a superstar but being a consistent, reliable, above average MLB starter.   

This is not that unusual. There are a lot of examples of young players who take a while to adjust and develop at the MLB level. The one who stands out the most to me in my memory is Tori Hunter. he was close to being given up on, but then it all clicked.  The difference with Hunter is that he did not have the injury issues to work thru that Lewis has.  Another example is Shane Mack, an appropriate example now due to his path to the Twins via the rule 5 draft.

Not every player shines in their early opportunities. Let them adjust and adapt.

[old nurse]

10 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Can we, for a moment, just STOP with the Lewis articles? This has to be the most ridiculous "I need to be paid" article #5 or 6 since the 2025 season ended.

I'll just get everything negative out of the way. He's been injured a lot. He speaks before he thinks sometimes because he wears his heart/frustration on his sleeve. Someone should tell him to think before he speaks because he gets ripped when he says something honest, but is taken out of context, at least to some degree.

What's SELDOM ever offered up is an honest confession early in 2025....where we finally saw the perpetual optimism wall Royce always puts up...is how frustraded he has actually been.

After TWO knee surgeries, rehab, and physical changes, he's no longer the speedster SS drafted. Instead, he's a quality 3B with a TON of talent who has been mitigated post DUAL knee surgeries that he has admitted to robbing him of control and confidence in his approach. 

Imagine that? He finally admitted he's only human despite some of the amazing performances he's produced in limited opportunity. 

He played the most games of his career in 2025. He was slightly above ML average the 2nd half of 2025. His defense improved. He was actually so healthy for the 2nd half that he began to run again! 

Those are ALL positive signs that his ongoing physical therapy to prevent muscle injuries and re-knewed confidence are taking hold.

But if you expect SUPERMAN for 2026 and beyond, even considering some of the crazy performances Lewis HAS done, you're just fooling yourself. 

All he has to do is bat .270  and OB of about .325 and SLUG 35 Dbls with 25 HR per season. That ISN'T SUPERMAN. But that's a damn fine ballplayer!

Still only 26yo, you want to bet against him?

35 doubles, 5 HR,  325 OBP and above average defense will put you in the top 50-75 position players

[Otaknam]

 Lewis tried to pull everything in 25, making him vulnerable to outside breaking pitches. We also saw that with Sano, who began his career looking like a guy who could hit the ball anywhere. Then he became pull happy, couldn’t hit a sweeper, struck out 40% of the time, and it out of the league. Hopefully, Lewis gets his mojo back and starts spreading the ball around the entire field. He has enough power to be successful with that approach.

[NYCTK]

49 minutes ago, Elliot said:

Leave him alone and let him play 140 games there

With all this complaining that Rocco RUINED Royce by insisting he play around the diamond, I thought I'd point out the diva played a total of 8 innings at a position other than 3B the last couple seasons. 

This excuse making is his job, not yours as a fan. 

[Cris E]

Lewis gets treated like a superstar for one reason: 5 grand slams in his first 16 HR, and doing it during the playoff season. 

Sure, he's a great interview, but so are a lot of guys; even Julien was a quirky media darling for a while (Edouard Julien, Are You Gonna Rule Again?) when he was hitting. But if Royce had just hit 3-run HRs in those situations he'd be held in much different esteem today, and his diminished control of the strike zone, loss of power and vaguely improving defense would leave him much closer to Walner than Budding Superstar darling. In fact if Walner had hit a couple more clutch HR in the last year or two he could easily be sitting in the Favorite Son position. 

So where does that leave him for 2026?  Some above have proposed just throwing him out there and letting him play, but that's what 2025 was. He got a very long leash, playing whenever he was available, but he only managed to stay on the field regularly for the second half. And he did improve as he got further from his injuries, but that's something he seems to share with Buxton: they need to learn to take care of the body and spend as much time on maintenance as playing. There's a certain amount of luck involved, but Byron has gotten better about it as he's aged  (ie more injuries from HBP than walls) so maybe he can teach it to Royce. 

Lewis only seems to make adjustments in the offseason. Last year it was reportedly throwing and defense,  so my hope is that he's spent this winter working on his hitting. His power is down, his walks are down, and if he wants to say it was his legs then fine, focus on building the foundation. But this year determines if he's a career MLB player or just another Kevin Maas.  

[stringer bell]

Regarding Wallner and Julien--they never appeared to be more than hitters. Royce Lewis was a #1-1 draft choice with athleticism off the boards when chosen and still was thought to be a potential five-tool guy when he debuted in 2022 and returned in 2023. 

I was heartened that Lewis improved markedly at defense and seemed to regain most of his speed. His hitting was subpar, but did improve after the All-Star break. I think he is a fairly good bet to achieve numbers comparable to his post-All Star stats in 2026 and that projection would make him a pretty good player, but not a star.