What To Do With Royce Lewis

[laloesch]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

Royce needs to go, unfortunately. I was the president of the Royce fan club for a long time, but it's time. For both sides. The Twins need to get out from under the "number 1 overall pick with flashes of superstardom" trap and Royce needs to go to a new organization to get his mind right. It's broken on both sides at this point. Once a player starts talking about how he thinks members of the organization want him to fail it's time to move on and just clean the slate. 

Even if you get nothing and Royce turns into a star wherever he goes, trading (or cutting?) him is the right move. He doesn't trust the org and the org doesn't seem to have any way to fix him (his AAA numbers alone mean nothing). The relationship has run its course. Time to move on. And that is a really crappy thing to have to say.

It's a sign he WANTS to be traded.  He's not outright demanding it yet (that we know of anyways), but it's still a sign he's not happy.  He bristled at some of Correa's comments too when he mentioned the younger players weren't pulling their weight on the team.  I agree with one of the earlier posters in this thread.  Royce has ego issues.  I'm not sure if he's just overinflated about his value or defensive about the fact that he's not performing well and trying to deflect that way, but in the end it doesn't matter.  He's still free swinging in St. Paul.  yes, he's pummeling AAA pitching but for a major leaguer with 1,000 at-bats + now he should be.  He's still not showing plate discipline.  If he's called back up I don't really expect much of a difference.

[DataNerd]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

For whatever reason I still have a lot of faith in Lewis.

He's just shy of 27 and has a career wRC+ of 104, and he has the tools that made him a #1 overall pick.  A good hope would be he can repeat Alex Gordon's career (#2 overall pick, was a bit above average his age 23 and 24 seasons, then had 2 bad injury-plagued years, then came back with his best career year with a 6 WAR season and 21 WAR over 4 years).

[Dman]

53 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

The jury is out on Lewis. His runway is pretty much used up and he needs to perform in his next chance in MLB. I think the potential is worth the risk, but I think his next chance should be his last chance with the Twins.

Yeah this is my take as well.  Once he comes back if it is the same old, same old, guess what's coming instead of seeing the ball well Royce I think I'd look for a team that has a similar type player and make a trade.  Sometimes it takes a change in scenery or two to get on the right track and sometimes they never do get on track.  

I have a hard time giving up on him after he came out so hot that first year.  Since his first big slump he has been trending down ever since.  He should not have angered the baseball gods with the never slumping quote.

[laloesch]

 

1 hour ago, karcherd said:

I don't think he has an attitude problem, I know he needs to probably keep his mouth quiet at times.  But usually we complain when someone gives the cliche answers, he wears his heart on his sleeve.  I personally would like a little more balance.

Even when he was struggling, he seemed to be cheering on his teammates, genuinely happy when they made big plays and was always smiling.  So I am not sure his teammates feel the same way even though we will never truly know.

 

I'm not sure I agree with that.  He clashed with Correa when talking to reporters and on social media so he's definitely not adverse to sparring with teammates to the media. Any guy can cheer his fellow teammates on from the dugout, that's easy to do, but it doesn't mean conflicts don't exist in the dugout and in the locker-room with fellow players.  His comments on social media and to reporters are also sometimes quite abrasive and disturbing.  I'm not sure I consider any of that wearing one's heart on their sleeve.  To me a lot of what he chirps about signals ego.  It's one thing if you are producing and can back it up, but if you aren't and are still complaining that your awesome when you're not, that's more like delusional thinking.   

[laloesch]

4 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Lewis is raising his trade value - that is good.  Not sure his attitude helps the team.  But what about Wallner - he is down for a reset too and no where close to Lewis output. 200/327/289 is not going to do it.  Put the two together in a package deal.  We have a lot of expendables. 

If anything, hopefully he can raise his trade value high enough and the Twins can unload him and get a decent prospect or two back in return.  I'm pretty sure he's not going to excel in his remaining time with the Twins, but I'd love to be proven wrong on that.

[hitterscount]

1 hour ago, karcherd said:

I don't think he has an attitude problem, I know he needs to probably keep his mouth quiet at times.  But usually we complain when someone gives the cliche answers, he wears his heart on his sleeve.  I personally would like a little more balance.

Even when he was struggling, he seemed to be cheering on his teammates, genuinely happy when they made big plays and was always smiling.  So I am not sure his teammates feel the same way even though we will never truly know.

 

You’re probably right…. Just don’t understand the pushback on trying a new position if you still believe you can be part of the future. 

[karcherd]

11 minutes ago, hitterscount said:

You’re probably right…. Just don’t understand the pushback on trying a new position if you still believe you can be part of the future. 

In fairness to him, we do not know if he has been asked to play 1B or move off 3B, so everyone on here is speculating including myself.

[South Dakota Tom]

I like the core of Lewis, Keaschall, Culpepper, Lee around the horn, and we DO have a need for a RH 1B on an everyday basis.  If a man can play 3b, he should be able to play 1b.  I would understand if Royce took some small offense to that (I would disagree, but understand) but if it puts you in the lineup every day with a young and hungry team, man, accept the role you're given.  Then it's Martin, Buxton, (someone in AAA currently) in OF, with Larnach, Caratini, Bell, Clemens, Arcia? until we can start to upgrade the bench for the long haul (meaning, 2027, I suppose...).  Keep using the season to audition relievers, sort out the AAA potential, and (because we're not a serious contender this year) trade Jeffers at the deadline for a young catcher who can pair with Caratini for one year and then Jackson or if Tait makes the leap by 2028.  Would the Dodgers trade Dalton Rushing for a half-season of Jeffers?  

 

 

[darin617]

9 hours ago, Nshore said:

What matters most IMO is how Lewis looks at the plate.  If he's still tap dancing and lunging around up there, swinging at balls out of the zone, mystified by off speed pitches, or missing meatballs, it doesn't matter if he's "tearing it up".  

He still has a lack of knowledge of the strike zone. He's still chasing bad pitches. Nothing has changed besides facing lessor talented pitchers.

[darin617]

I really don't think a move to first could be accomplished as easy as you may think.

The easier idea could be DH and platooning in left with Larnach.

[Sjoski]

On 5/29/2026 at 10:24 AM, Rod Carews Birthday said:

Someone needs to sub - in for TC Bear once in a while.  That could be Royce.  

I don’t know....whomever was swinging the bat as TC Bear in the MetroDome days could really smash. 

 

[soyouresayingtheresachance]

He's not good at 3B. Thats just the truth of it. He may have a problem with changing positions, but I'm not sure he should have much say on the subject. 

Change of scenery may be the best option for him. I understand that he is still young and in his prime but the things he says makes it sound like he's not interested in playing here anymore. Just my opinion. 

He's always destroyed AAA pitching. So that fact he's doing it again is not surprising or unexpected. 

Give him a 1B glove and see how he responds. 

[USAFChief]

There's no point in dumping Lewis for pennies on the dollar right now.

Give it a while. He's not expensive and not clogging the 40 man.

[dxpavelka]

Get the young man a first baseman's mitt.

[DocBauer]

I've been a hipeful believer of Royce, and even a defender of him, for the past couple of seasons. I really thought the "better" version of him in the 2nd half of 2025...basically a league average hitter...and OBVIOUS better health with the way he was running the bases, combined with his offseason work with a quality, private hitting coach would see him turn a corner this season. Instead, he's almost gotten worse.

IDK, but I still think it's a mental adjustment he's not making.

The move of Lee to 3B isn't window dressing. He has the potential to be a solid 3B, and the bat continues to slowly improve. SS is now wide open for K-Pepper in 2-4 weeks to come up and take it over. Now, no disrespect to KP, but it's entirely possible he's the best SS for NOW, and I'm NOT saying he can't be a solid ML SS, but by 2028, we might need to make room for Houston, who is an amazing defender. But let's jump off that bridge when we get there.

I'm torn on Keaschall at 2B. I've seen a few bad plays, and read about some more. But I've also watched him make some really good plays as well. He has more than enough athleticism to play the position. His arm isn’t great...will probably getter stronger and better...but I really appreciate the Twins patience with him. You don't have to have a great arm to play 2B, just an accurate one really. IMO, it's just about CONSISTENCY in making plays. An entire season of playing 2B, we might have an at least average defensive 2B come 2027. The Twins believe in his overall potential. That's why they are being so patient with him.

(I hope they do the same with the young OF's as soon as they are ready to go).

I don't think Keaschall fits in the OF, unless he becomes a super utility player. And if his offense actually hits his ceiling, I would be fine if he became a 1B. But he just fits so nicely at 2B if he can get the glove work down.

Only slightly off topic, I'm REALLY intrigued by the sudden development of Ben Ross. A small school athlete with a great glove, speed, and some POP in his bat. He might be the next Castro, but with even better defense. Probably never a starter, but a potential Super Utility option for the INF that might be better than Kreidler, Gray, and Arcia. I only bring him up due to further depth options in the INF going forward.

So what do we do with Royce Lewis?

To be clear, and agreement with most posters, it's NOT about him raking at the AAA level. It's about a SOUND swing and SOUND approach at the plate. His HR at St Paul don't impress me. He's WAY too talented for AAA. I think the Twins are looking for a SOLID approach and a SOLID swing and a BETTER personal "swing zone". When we see BB from good AB. When we see solid, hard hit singles and doubles, we might actually be seeing REAL improvement. 

So the question of "what to do with Royce Lewis" is really about when and IF he gets his head/bat figured out. 

I don't think Lee at 3B is temporary, provided his bat doesn't suddenly regress, while it's currently on an upswing. K-Pepper is the next SS, possibly in 2-4 weeks. He settles the left side of the INF offensively and defensively. We've already covered patience with Keaschall at 2B. We're talking NOW, and not 2028 when Houston might be ready, just to be clear.

So again, IF and WHEN Lewis figures out how to HIT again, IMO, the answer is obvious. He should be moved to 1B, with the ability to also play some 3B. When his head is right, he's not a bad 3B. That increases roster flexibility due to injury or days off. He has the athleticism to be a VERY good 1B with a powerful and productive bat. If he thinks that's some sort of downgrade in his career, let him sit down with Mauer and Morneau and let them explain how important a great 1B means to the team.

Clemens is a decent player who has enjoyed his best production as a Twin. He's not just a throw away player. But come on, if Lewis ACTUALLY got his sh*t together, he would be the best all around 1B the Twins have had in YEARS. And maybe he should take pride in that!

But that is all WHEN and IF Lewis figures it out. 

[D.C Twins]

8 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Royce needs to go, unfortunately. I was the president of the Royce fan club for a long time, but it's time. For both sides. The Twins need to get out from under the "number 1 overall pick with flashes of superstardom" trap and Royce needs to go to a new organization to get his mind right. It's broken on both sides at this point. Once a player starts talking about how he thinks members of the organization want him to fail it's time to move on and just clean the slate. 

Even if you get nothing and Royce turns into a star wherever he goes, trading (or cutting?) him is the right move. He doesn't trust the org and the org doesn't seem to have any way to fix him (his AAA numbers alone mean nothing). The relationship has run its course. Time to move on. And that is a really crappy thing to have to say.

This bears repeating...

[D.C Twins]

7 hours ago, laloesch said:

 

I'm not sure I agree with that.  He clashed with Correa when talking to reporters and on social media so he's definitely not adverse to sparring with teammates to the media. Any guy can cheer his fellow teammates on from the dugout, that's easy to do, but it doesn't mean conflicts don't exist in the dugout and in the locker-room with fellow players.  His comments on social media and to reporters are also sometimes quite abrasive and disturbing.  I'm not sure I consider any of that wearing one's heart on their sleeve.  To me a lot of what he chirps about signals ego.  It's one thing if you are producing and can back it up, but if you aren't and are still complaining that your awesome when you're not, that's more like delusional thinking.   

More than just ego....  HUBRIS is what comes to mind when I think of Lewis

[Fred]

17 hours ago, Twins GFP said:

I am at a loss as to why a player that is currently struggling to find his way onto a MLB roster is being resistant to a positional change. I would think that he would be doing anything asked of him to find his way back to the majors. Look at Michael Cuddyer as an example.

That kind of stubbornness will limit many of his options going forward. No team wants an (at best) average defensive 3B that has not shown consistency at the plate and is resistant to change. That path leads out of baseball pretty quick.   

I think the motivation for a position change (I'm all for moving hm to 1st) will be getting back to the bigs. If he wants the bigs more than he doesn't want a position change, the Twins are in. If he's stubborn, well, he has, at least , helped his trade value as the Twins upgraded their defense.

[h2oface]

Just have Morneau give Lewis the Gardenhire speech that he got from Gardenhire on June 7, 2006, when he was hitting .236 or whatever it was, and Gardenhire pulled him into his visiting office in Seattle and closed the door. (Imagine a hitter on the Twins getting benched for hitting .236 these days..... we are lucky if they hit that high now..... that's over half the roster) Morneau litterally took off, for two months, from June 8 to August 9, he hit .399 with a .742 slugging %. and finished the year at .321 with 34 homers and 130 RBI, and won the MVP!

Or just have Gardenhire give it to Lewis. Couldn't hurt, eh?

Or maybe it's the excessive eye black.... or just that ostentatious design he thinks is so cool......

[LeatherAntenna]

21 hours ago, Nshore said:

What matters most IMO is how Lewis looks at the plate.  If he's still tap dancing and lunging around up there, swinging at balls out of the zone, mystified by off speed pitches, or missing meatballs, it doesn't matter if he's "tearing it up".  

And hitting to the opposite field.  If all his minor league HRs are pulls……

[JD-TWINS]

23 hours ago, 1985Fan said:

If he continues to mash at AAA for another month or so, bring him back and put him in the lineup to see if he’s fixed. If he is “fixed”, then worry about where to play him. Nice problem to have. If he’s not changed or is still zero sum offense, then at least they’ll know that he had every opportunity to prove himself. At that point a DFA would probably be the next step. 

Same page - if guys can hit, the Manager can figure out how to use them.

Lewis at 3B couple times per week and DH 3 times per - off the bench if needed in other game.

Lee can play 3B 4 days per week & DH once - maybe 2B or SS once a week.

With Lewis back, Kreidler’s emphasis can be in OF as well as at SS.

Speaking of hitting, Arcia should play 2B 3-4 days per week with Keaschall getting a break, until it looks like Arcia isn’t hitting. Keaschall as pinch runner - pinch hitter 2-3 games/week & 2B 2-3 times/week.

I think 40 more AB’s is plenty if Royce keeps going at a fairly high level at AAA……. 2 more weeks. Can’t rush though - he needs to feel comfortable & confident when he returns.

[sun]

I don't care about all of the extraneous details about Royce's head and position struggles, I just want to see results at the plate. He can always be a DH if he can hit. He needs to try new adjustments while at AAA. I recall when catcher Suzuki switched to using the new ax handle bat at the time and began hitting like a champ (which he did become a champ soon enough after.) And he was no spring chicken either. I don't care if Lewis can swing & hit outside the zone, Puckett did it all of the time too. I just want to see Royce find a formula for success & succeed with the Twins. If he can't learn to hit above average then dump him, simple as that.  Problem solved. Sometimes the Twins need a guy with some ego if that's what drives them to perform above average. but l'll accept his ego only with results.

[djvang]

On 5/29/2026 at 2:20 PM, karcherd said:

Even when he was struggling, he seemed to be cheering on his teammates, genuinely happy when they made big plays and was always smiling.  So I am not sure his teammates feel the same way even though we will never truly know.

 

Being cynical, I'm thinking that was all for show. "See what a great teammate I am?". He tried to make himself the community face of the team when he hadn't earned it on the field. It all seemed so phony including the cocky, ridiculous face paint. Even though he's tearing up AAA pitching, if they bring him up and he strikes out in his first AB, he will crumble again.

[Heistyman]

10 hours ago, h2oface said:

Just have Morneau give Lewis the Gardenhire speech that he got from Gardenhire on June 7, 2006, when he was hitting .236 or whatever it was, and Gardenhire pulled him into his visiting office in Seattle and closed the door. (Imagine a hitter on the Twins getting benched for hitting .236 these days..... we are lucky if they hit that high now..... that's over half the roster) Morneau litterally took off, for two months, from June 8 to August 9, he hit .399 with a .742 slugging %. and finished the year at .321 with 34 homers and 130 RBI, and won the MVP!

Or just have Gardenhire give it to Lewis. Couldn't hurt, eh?

Or maybe it's the excessive eye black.... or just that ostentatious design he thinks is so cool......

The eye black thing needs to go away!