Royce Lewis and One Last Chance to Stick at Third Base

Royce Lewis was drafted as a shortstop, which seemed like the natural defensive home for the start of his career. However, a combination of factors have made third base his primary spot—including Carlos Correa’s presence at short; Lewis’s multiple knee injuries; and inconsistent reps at one position. The transition, though, has been anything but smooth.

Last season, Lewis’s defensive struggles at third base were evident, particularly with his throwing. He often looked uncomfortable making strong, accurate throws across the diamond. He was worth 2 Outs Above Average (OAA) at third base last season, in 158 attempts. Among MLB third basemen, Lewis’s Statcast Arm Strength ranked 28th, at 84 mph. For some perspective, the top two third basemen (Christopher Morel and Trey Lipscomb) both averaged 90.3 mph or higher with their throws. 

According to FanGraphs, Lewis made six throwing errors in 411 2/3 innings at third base in 2024. Only five third basemen had more throwing errors, but those players all had significantly more innings at third. Some of his issues stem from footwork inconsistencies, which impact his ability to make repeatable and fluid throws. Despite these concerns, the Twins remain committed to helping him improve.

Twins manager Rocco Baldelli recently spoke about Lewis’s defensive work this offseason.

“Ramon [Borrego] is doing a nice job with those guys getting them a lot of reps, a lot of focused reps," Baldelli told reporters at spring training this week. "They are working hard. They’re working in the mornings on top of the work that they get in team defensive drills.”

The team is hoping that additional reps and a focus on fundamentals will help smooth out Lewis's game at third. One of the primary areas of focus is his footwork, which directly impacts his throwing mechanics and accuracy.

“Royce wants to keep getting better in all aspects of his game. He’s working hard in the field,” said Baldelli. “He’s working hard on his footwork, which leads to a repeatable arm stroke and accuracy. That’s the way infield goes. Playing infield well starts with your feet, in many respects.”

The natural athleticism that once made Lewis a highly touted shortstop prospect has been somewhat hampered by his injuries. While he still possesses decent speed and reaction time, the multiple knee surgeries have likely diminished some of his explosiveness. That, coupled with the challenge of learning a new position at the highest level, makes this a crucial season for Lewis defensively.

If Lewis struggles again at third, the Twins might be forced to reevaluate his long-term defensive future. In recent years, the Twins have seen a development issue, with three of their top shortstop prospects moving closer to utility roles. Lewis, Brooks Lee, and Austin Martin were all first-round draft picks who ranked highly on national top-100 lists. Lewis and Martin likely won’t get any more time at shortstop in their careers. Lee still has a chance to fill in at shortstop, but he seems destined for a different long-term defensive home.

The Twins still view Lewis and his bat as a critical part of the lineup. However, his time at the hot corner might end if he cannot remedy some of his flaws from last season. There is the potential to move him to second base, or even to see more time at designated hitter—a position the Twins like to rotate players through. In the long run, the team would undoubtedly prefer to see him settle in as an everyday third baseman and make some of their other defensive decisions more challenging. 

Outside of Lewis, the Twins have multiple other options for third base. José Miranda played significant time at third last season, while Lewis was injured. His defense is considered worse than Lewis's, so he will likely get reps at first base and DH. Willi Castro and Brooks Lee are also in the hot corner conversation, if Lewis shows some of the same flaws as last season. Top prospect Luke Keaschall is returning from Tommy John surgery last August, but many believe he can be a long-term third base option. The Twins will be careful with him in the season’s early months, but he could be an option for the big-league squad in the second half. 

Lewis’s talent is undeniable, and his work ethic suggests he’s determined to make it work at third base. But as the Twins continue their push for contention, they need consistency at the hot corner. This season might be Lewis’s final chance to prove he can provide that stability.

What does Lewis need to do this season to stick at third base? Who will be the team’s third baseman in five years? Leave a comment and start the discussion.