Royce Lewis is Trying to Trade Speed for Health…

On Tuesday, the Minnesota Twins got Royce Lewis back in the lineup for the first time this season, after they went without his services for the first 35 games of the season, thanks to a a hamstring strain he suffered late during Spring Training.

Of course, injuries are nothing new for Lewis. He has never played in more than 82 games during a single season in his career, and his layoffs have stemmed from multiple different injuries. And through that rollercoaster process, Lewis has become a much different player than the 18-year-old kid drafted No. 1 overall by the Twins in 2017.

There was a time not long ago when Lewis told me down in Fort Myers that he wanted more green lights on the basepaths, so he could take advantage of what was then a five-tool skill set. Now, swiping bases seems like the farthest thing from his mind.

Royce Lewis is not the speedster he once was

In his first professional season, Royce Lewis stole 18 bags. The next year, he posted a career-high 28 steals. Then, in 2020 and 2021, he was forced to sit out due to injury. When he returned, Lewis wasn’t the same speed demon, but he still stole 12 bases for St. Paul in 2022.

Even two seasons ago (2023), Lewis went 6-for-7 on steal attempts (58 games). Last year, aside from one stolen base during a rehab game with St. Paul (which drew the ire of Twins personnel), he didn’t attempt a single steal. This week, Royce Lewis even admitted that stolen bases just isn’t a part of his game anymore.

And this change is style is about way more than stealing bases. Royce Lewis is desperate to stay healthy. He suffered his most recent injury (strained hamstring) while trying to beat out an infield single. Thus, he’s looking to dial back from max-effort on the bases, in general.

“If I had Bobby Witt speed, I think I’d run a lot. But I’m not there anymore with all the injuries, so it’s just play smart… I’m tired of being the guy that’s on the IL (injured list). I think it sucks.”

Royce Lewis – The Athletic

Did you know that Royce Lewis is yet to hit his first major league triple? Well, I wouldn’t expect that to come anytime soon. In 2022 Lewis owned a 28.4 feet-per-second sprint speed. That put him in the 78th percentile across major league baseball. Last season, that fell to 26.6 feet-per-second, good for the 28th percentile. That’s a 50-point drop in just two years.

For context, Royce’s partner on the left side of the infield, Carlos Correa — who oftentimes looks like he’s pulling a trailer — touts a 26.5 feet-per-second sprint speed. At this point, we can’t even be sure Lewis would be Correa in a race.

Related: Jim Bowden is Trying to Blow Up the Twins’ Future for Pete Alonso

If you needed game evidence, it was provided on Wednesday when Lewis was lifted after a 7th inning walk for DaShawn Keirsey Jr (28.4 ft/sec sprint speed). That never would have happened even two years ago.

Speed may change Minnesota Twins plans for Lewis too

Death. Taxes. Royce Lewis home runs. pic.twitter.com/Xw0QEwNsgT

— Ted (@tlschwerz) June 20, 2024

Now, Royce Lewis is focused on continuing the transformations of both his body and his game to that of a classic corner infielder. More strength, more power, less running around. But if the 26-year-old former No. 1 overall pick is going to stick at third base, he needs to get better defensively too.

In 411 innings last year, Lewis was worth -2 DRS (defensive runs saved) while posting 2 OAA (outs above average). Minnesota has already considered a transition to second base, which did not go over well. In time, Royce’s best position might be first base.

Undoubtedly, Royce Lewis wouldn’t be a fan of that idea either, but if he can’t improve at the hot corner, he may not have a say in the matter much longer. Plus, the other corner would be easier on his body. Of course, this is a conversation for future. The Minnesota Twins have made it clear that he is their 2025 third baseman, as long as he can stay on the field.