Good for Royce, as he has a different attitude, per this article, about where he plays-
MINNEAPOLIS -- Once Royce Lewis started obliterating baseballs at Triple-A St. Paul, it became clear that he at least had a chance to be back in the Major Leagues sooner rather than later. What would have been hard to envision as recently as a week ago was what position he’d
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MINNEAPOLIS -- Once
Royce Lewisstarted obliterating baseballs at Triple-A St. Paul, it became clear that he at least had a chance to be back in the Major Leagues sooner rather than later. What would have been hard to envision as recently as a week ago was what position he’d play. Or more accurately, positions.
Lewis was recalled Saturday after a 2 1/2-week stint in the Minors in which he posted an eye-popping .340/.417/.868 line at the plate, and in his first game back with the Twins, he started at second base. Outfielder James Outman was designated for assignment in a corresponding move.
From there, he moved to first base in a multi-way switch, going 0-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout in Minnesota's
3-2 loss to Kansas City. Lewis made an excellent play on a hard grounder in the fifth inning and also committed a throwing error on a potential double-play ball.
“He made a great play on the backhand play, on the diving play,” said manager Derek Shelton. “The [double play] turn, it looked like he got caught a little bit, but that’s going to happen. But overall I thought he did a nice job.”
Formerly the Twins’ everyday third baseman, Lewis is now
likely to move around the diamond, seeing time at second, first, and possibly third and designated hitter as well. Lewis sounded open to the plan.
“Playing in the big leagues is comfy,” Lewis said. “Let’s just start with that. I feel great. I’m ready to get in the box every time, and however I can do that.”
The Twins
optioned Lewis on May 19 as he found himself mired in the deepest slump of his career (.163 average with three home runs), hoping that the reduced pressure of the Minors would help him make the adjustments he needed in order to be a key part of their lineup again. It appears to have been successful, based on both the results and the club’s observation. Lewis has stopped working with the outside hitting coach he took on over the winter.
A source indicated there was no friction regarding that coach -- it just wasn’t working for Lewis on the field. As for other adjustments he made, Lewis was somewhat coy, but he acknowledged that he made some changes in his setup.
“A little bit,” Lewis said. “Just small stuff. Keeping it simple and going back to being Royce.”
A former No. 1 overall pick, Lewis’ journey to this point has been circuitous. He played like a superstar in 2022 and 2023, even after missing much of the first part of ’23 due to injury. He dealt with injuries and inconsistency throughout 2024 and ’25, and actually got a brief look at second in ’24 (two games, one of which was a start) before the idea was abandoned.
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vibes after a rough homestand
