Royce Lewis Heating Up But Twins Have Moved On

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Brooks Lee, Royce Lewis - Minnesota Twins
Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Minnesota Twins lost the first of their four-game series against the Chicago White Sox on Monday, their first loss in five games. On Tuesday, they got back on the winning track, taking game two with a 5-3 victory that took 11 innings to secure.

Who was responsible for pushing the Twins to their extra inning win? Brooks Lee, who hit a bases-loaded double in the top of the 11th, clearing the bases and putting Minnesota up 5-2 entering the bottom-half of the last inning — a gap the White Sox failed to bridge with their final three outs.

Brooks Lee putting on his superhero cape of late

All of this in the midst of a position change for the 25-year-old infielder, who started the season at shortstop but was moved to third base when Royce Lewis was demoted to Triple-A, St. Paul last week. Lee was surprised by the change, but took it in stride during his meeting with manager Derek Shelton.

“I was surprised, but it doesn’t really matter. It’s not my decision. I felt like I played good shortstop. But, ultimately, I think they see me as a better third baseman. I respect that, and I think I can be.”

Brooks Lee (via Star Tribune)

“We talked about what was best for our club right now…(Lee) handled it extremely professionally. … He and I had a very open and honest conversation. He asked me some good questions. I gave him some thoughts. His last comment to me was whatever was going to be best for us to win. That’s exactly what you want a player to say.”

Derek Shelton (via The Athletic)

When catcher Ryan Jeffers — who was in the midst of a career year (.295 BA, .949 OPS) — hit the injured list, the Minnesota Twins needed someone to step up offensively. To this point, that guy has been Brooks Lee, who’s been without a doubt one of the most important offensive producers in the lineup, of late.

After putting on his superhero cape in extras Tuesday, Lee is hitting .350 with a 1.085 OPS in his five games since moving to third base. The former No. 5 overall draft pick has collected 7 hits, 6 RBI and 4 runs scored in that time. Four of those seven hits have been for extra bases, including one home run.

If you have ever watched Brooks Lee play defense and you have a base knowledge of baseball, you can tell immediately that he would make a better third baseman than shortstop.

MN Twins have made Lee their new third baseman

Shelton just trusted Lee more at SS than they did Royce Lewis. So when Royce was sent down and no longer in the big league picture, it was an easy shift that will make the MN Twins’ defense better as a whole.

Could Lee move back to SS if/when Lewis returns? That does NOT appear to be part of the plan. Royce or no Royce, Brooks Lee is the team’s new third baseman.

Lee’s move to the hot corner also makes room at shortstop for top infield prospect Kaelen Culpepper, who is knocking on the big league door with the Saints. But what about that Royce Lewis elephant in the room?

Royce Lewis was not happy when he was demoted, after hitting .163 with a .539 OPS through his first 31 big league games this season. He wasn’t afraid to show it, either. Did did he know something at the time that we didn’t, at the time?

Because his nightmare that the Minnesota Twins could replace him, if sent down, is looking pretty damn prophetic right now, despite how well he has been playing down in St. Paul.

Royce Lewis crushing Triple-A pitching

Since his demotion, Lewis has been crushing baseballs — batting .296 with 8 hits and a 1.330 OPS in 7 games. What’s crazy, though, is that SIX of his EIGHT hits have been home runs.

Of course, injuries could make this a non-talker. But if the MN Twins remain healthy, it doesn’t seem like it matters how well Royce Lewis plays because — not only do they not have room in their infield for him — they have seemingly moved on.

Yes, he could come back and play first base… but the 2017 No. 1 overall draft pick hasn’t been all that open to position changes in the past. Plus, I’m not sure the clubhouse (which has incredible vibes right now) would welcome Royce returning to play first base, in favor of Kody Clemens.

In other words, as it stands right now, it feels like Royce Lewis may have played his last game in a Minnesota Twins uniform. It appears extremely likely that his time in St. Paul is his tryout for interested teams who could come calling before the deadline.

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