Lee, Lewis, Keaschall--Can They Hit and Field Well Enough to be Parts of the Future?

[stringer bell]

As many have noted,the Twins have switched up their entire infield. First baseman Kody Clemens has played all three outfield spots plus second base and is currently the primary second baseman for the Twins. Second baseman Luke Keaschall has played almost exclusively in the outfield, starting fifteen games in center and thirteen in right since his move away from second base. Opening Day shortstop Brooks Lee has been the regular third baseman since late May. He has played a game or two at shortstop, but he's started more than 60 games at third. Royce Lewis is now the team's principal first baseman, with a few turns at second base.

As all three of the younger players are moving down the defensive spectrum (noted that center field isn't a move down the spectrum, but Keaschall is playing there in Buxton's absence), the question has to be asked of each player, can they hit enough and field well enough at their new regular position to be major league regulars?

This may not be a question for the trade deadline, but rather how the Twins proceed in the next couple of years. Under the current collective bargaining agreement all are under team control for at least two years. 

Brooks Lee tried to be a shortstop, but his tools foiled that endevour. Since his move to third, his defense has shown he's a better fit at third. In his 60 games at third this year, he has posted solidly above-average defensive numbers. Lee's offense has climbed each of his years in MLB and tthis year is not an exception. He has an OPS+ slightly above league average this year and has hit 16 homers, third on the team. Because he always has the platoon advantage as a switch hitter, Lee has been a truly everyday player. Should he be this in the future? His Baseball Savant page doesn't look promising. Even though he is only 25, he may be maxed out with "meh" production.

The next move the Twins made in conjunction with Lee moving to third was to move Royce Lewis to the right side of the infield. Lewis has very little experience at second base and none at first, but after a short training session he has been the Twins' first baseman with a couple of starts at third when Lee wasn't playing there and a few starts at second against left handed pitching. Lewis has been a better hitter since returning from his demotion to St. Paul. His OPS just climbed above .700 for the season, but has been near .800 since his return. He has shown his inexperience at first and second a couple times, but has seemed to take to the right side acceptably. Royce has only had one minimum stay on the Injured List, making this season easily his healthiest since he arrived on the scene in 2022. Lewis' Savant page shows a bit more promise than Lee, but doesn't seem to be that he is a superstar in waiting. I would suggest that his most likely path forward is to be an above-average offensive player who is competent on defense, more of a Michael Cuddyer and not Kirby Puckett. Is that good enough to be a full-time first baseman?

Finally, the Twins have moved on from Keaschall at second base. He moved to right field and has played center as Buxton has had to stints on the IL. Keaschall was excellent as a rookie, but faltered out of the gate in his second season (first full season). Luke has come on and is now putting up league-average hitting numbers for the season. Like Lewis, looking only at the more recent numbers, one can see a good offensive profile, but for the season Keaschall is an average offensive player. Can he produce enough as a hitter and improve enough as a fielder to be an everyday corner outfielder? The question here is power. Almost three quarters into the season, Keaschall has but six homers. In approximately a full season of at-bats spread over two seasons, Keaschall has ten homers.

All three of these guys were high draft picks (Lewis #1 overall, Lee first round and Keaschall second round) and at this point we've seen the flaws along with the strengths. Are all three going to be part of the core for the rest of the decade, only two or maybe one? Each has questions and perhaps the answers will be supplied in the remainder of this season.                                                                                                                                                                            

[Possumlad]

Lee looks like a league average starting third baseman both in the field and in the batter's box... That provides some straightforward value. 

Lewis, I believe could grow into a slightly above average first baseman both with the glove and bat. 

Keasch is tough, as his bat doesn't profile well enough to play regularly in the outfield. My hope is that he rounds into a very valuable utility guy. His infield glove plays well enough to at least spot start there.

On controllable deals, they all provide some value to the twins.