Can the Twins Fix Royce Lewis’s Swing?

The Puckster had a ton of doubters with his high leg kick and it worked out for him

Not saying Lewis will turn into Kirby II but...

These guys are different animals athletically and some succeed in-spite of "mechanical flaws"

Maybe that's just how he hits

He's basically had that swing since high school.  Why haven't the Twins worked to fix it?

Kid wins MVP in Arizona Fall League and people are wringing their hands about him?

Love that kind of problem.

The Puckster had a ton of doubters with his high leg kick and it worked out for him

Not saying Lewis will turn into Kirby II but...

 

These guys are different animals athletically and some succeed in-spite of "mechanical flaws"

 

Maybe that's just how he hits

True, but I think shorter batters are less effected by big legs kicks than taller/longer players. Seems like the lanky guys with long kicks/swings have struggles more....though hit for power when they do connect.

When these writers (Law, McDaniel, Longenhagen) with no field experience start getting into the mechanical stuff, I have to take a bit of a pause.  I'd like to see their credentials on kinesiology and biomechanics before accepting that something needs to be "fixed". I'd like to hear more from coaches or people who actually played the game before getting too worried about a swing issue. I'm not saying they should be ignored, but they aren't delivering The Art of Hitting Redux.

If they're writing about plate discipline or something like that, it's easier to assume their expertise.  Ball is or isn't in the strike zone, and the players are or aren't swinging at said ball more often than not.  That's black and white and can be analyzed by a writer.  

Not saying I know anything, but just adore how so many experts talk about such a young, tremendously gifted kid can't play a position. Especially when history has shown the exact opposite over time.

I don't know beans about Lewis's stature and swing at the plate except for what I read and general observations as a baseball fan for over 40yrs. But I do know Buxton was having his best season as a pro just doing what felt natural this year.

Sorry, can't remember the book title or author, but heard a great piece on the radio a couple weeks ago about the art of hitting. The just was despite all the technology and coaching involved, sometimes it just comes down to see ball and hit ball and the "timing" factor a player felt was natural.

Lewis blows up the AFL, SSS understood, but some want to talk about fixing him. I think experience and "tweaking" are more relevant.

Well said Doc.   Ted Williams wrote a pretty good piece about that too, was an interesting read.

My thoughts on Keith Law are this...  I acknowledge that he does know baseball pretty well and has some decent insights at times.   However, I view him more and more these days as a baseball version of Mel Kiper (or... shudder... Fraud (Todd) McShay).

Just because his (Law's) mouth is open, doesn't mean what is coming out is Gospel.   I'll be the first to admit that Lewis needs to continue to refine his approach at the plate as he progresses, but all hitters must do that as they continue to face ever increasingly difficult pitchers.   

As far as his defense at SS?   He doesn't have to platinum/gold glover.   He just needs to make the routine plays routinely, everything else is gravy.

Given his age and athletic ability, I'm not terribly worried about the leg kick.

What I am worried about, however, is the pitch recognition that's mentioned and him being a "guess hitter." 

I'm not ready to jump ship on him, but if someone were to offer top of the rotation pitching and insisted on either Royce or Kirilloff as part of the package, I'd probably choose to keep the latter.

I am no expert, but have worked with high school players a little.  To me the key issue is where his hands are and how the whipping motion generated from his start will result in a very long swing.  Cody Bellinger had a similar problem when he reached the majors.  His athleticism allowed him to have some success, but eventually he started to struggle.  He made some significant adjustments before last season and became an MVP worthy player.   Plenty of time for Royce to make the necessary adjustments to hit at the major league level.  I expect big things from him this season now that he will be working with top notch hitting instructors. 

Not saying I know anything, but just adore how so many experts talk about such a young, tremendously gifted kid can't play a position. Especially when history has shown the exact opposite over time.

I love this take.

Also, the more people try to dissect a swing, a pitch, a throw, fielding ability, not being able to play a position, spin rate, etc., the less interested I get in reading about it.  Not saying they're wrong, but it's not what I love about the sport.  Apparently, I just know less about baseball.  Regardless, Lewis is a tremendous prospect.  He is also a prospect who knows a .236 average isn't going to cut it.  The kid's not the type to take an "off-season" off.  He's going to work on his craft and do whatever it takes to help his swing.  I'm excited to see him excel again.

Probably the most important thing...still...is how his defensive game at SS develops. He can be an iffy hitter if he's a solid major league shortstop. But if he has to move to a corner...or even center field...his value becomes much more dependent upon the bat coming around. Right now, the results aren't good...and the swing is ugly.

It's concerning, but the fact that he's 20 years old and has such a good makeup makes me optimistic. Which is basically what the Fangraphs write-up said.

I reallllly hope he becomes a good defensive SS, though. We need that. 

Of course he has flaws. If he didn't he'd be in MLB. That's why the minor leagues exist.

Its not just a high leg kick.   Its a really long stride.   Combine that with where his hands are it really does look like a long swing.   With a long swing I can also imagine you have to commit earlier which gives you a little less time with recognize pitches.     It all makes sense.   Keep the leg kick but shorten the stride might make the swing quicker.   I would want him to  work on good consistent contact rather than worrying about power at this point.    Kirby was a good batting average guy before he became a power hitter.   I would try to follow that path.   I know this won't be popular with many on here but I also would like him to add bunting for hits down the 3rd base line.   Why not add that skill set to his arsenal now.

So the kid needs to quiet his hands and reduce the stride. Look at Javier Báez he has a big leg kick minimized his stride after yr one and isn’t to bad of a player.   Sano mid season worked his hand placement and made that adjustment.  
is he ready probably not but don’t need to coach out all that talent

Of course he has flaws. If he didn't he'd be in MLB. That's why the minor leagues exist.

For now......

Two were scouts for teams. They also talk to scouts and coaches to do the analysis. Also, if you actually read their write-ups, there is nothing black or white about what Fangraphs says about Lewis. I have no idea what you are arguing.

Once again, I said they shouldn't be ignored, but titling an article "Can the Twins Fix Royce Lewis's Swing?" based off of what a bunch of writers said is a bit quick on the trigger.

Wait he wants to play Baseball but cant hit? Isnt that called a Pitcher? I say get him a bucket of KFC and a candle....