A large chunk of that optimism, despite the offseason losses, is thanks to a healthy (fingers crossed) Royce Lewis, who some are projecting as a dark horse MVP candidate. Lewis has only played 70 MLB games in his professional baseball career and the only thing holding people back from declaring him the next superstar of this league is his inability to stay on the field.

Royce Lewis hits Spring Training Grand Slam for Twins

Lewis has had his career upended by torn ACL injuries two different times, and leading up to both, he was quickly on his way to proving himself as one of the best offensive players on the roster. Royce hopes those days are behind him, though. And he let Twins fans know how good he is feeling today with one of his patented (yes I said it) grand slams in his 2nd at-bat of the day vs Boston at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers.

Royce Lewis up with the bases loaded? You can guess how that at-bat turned out 💥

(via @Twins)pic.twitter.com/xQGx8nsVRT

— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) March 1, 2024

Why any pitcher would throw to Royce Lewis while the bases are loaded is beyond me, at this point. Even in a spring training game, I’d recommend not ruining your spring stat-line by doing something so stupid. Walk him, take the run and try for the next guy.

Related: Twins’ Royce Lewis is a Dark Horse AL MVP Candidate

Sure, that may sound irrational, especially in an exhibition game… but let Do-Hyoung Park remind you just how good this 24-year-old kid is at hitting missiles into the bleachers every time he comes up with the bases loaded, And no, these numbers do not count today’s 4 RBI rocket launch.

• Royce Lewis career with bases loaded: 7-for-12, 5 grand slams, 24 RBI and a 2.449 OPS

Just as a reminder, the absolutely hilarious Royce Lewis small-sample career stat line with the bases loaded:

7-for-12, 5 grand slams, 24 RBIs, 1 BB
.583/.615/1.833

the 1.833 is a SLG, not an OPS (the OPS is 2.449)

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) March 1, 2024

Lewis played in 58 regular-season games in 2024. He posted a .309 batting average, with 15 home runs and a .921 OPS. In the Twins’ six playoff games, Royce developed his man-strength, powering four homers over the fence and racking up 5 RBI in the process. Both metrics were playoff highs for Minnesota. Put it this way, between Royce Lewis and Carlos Correa, the Twins lineup doesn’t seem like very much fun to face in clutch moments right now.

Related: Minnesota Twins 2024 Season Preview

The Twins again waited until the last possible moment, before figuring out their bats against the Indians on Sunday afternoon. A Rosario double scored the only run on the board for the home team when the offense took the field in the bottom of the 9th. But they found their offense JUST in time…

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THE ROOKIE DELIVERS AGAIN#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/wOLiSvMNBB

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) August 11, 2019

MARWIN GONZALEZ TIES THE GAME!!! pic.twitter.com/ciDBjmbzbL

— FOX Sports North (@fsnorth) August 11, 2019

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Ehire Adrianza getting thrown out with just one out on the board was absolutely unacceptable. It really wasn’t even close either. I’ve been questioning sends around 3rd base all season. There have been a lot of questionable ones by Tony Diaz. It needs to stop before it costs us more games like it did today.

Right after that inning, the Indians turned around and hit a grand slam to go up 4 in the top of the 10th before the Twins failed to mount another rally to match them. Anytime our bats can’t carry us to victory with 7+ runs, you need to be afraid with this team. That should make us feel really good about the playoffs. Here is the grand slam to make your sunday blues a bit worse.

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'Los doing the most.#RallyTogether pic.twitter.com/HdCmn9kA6T

— Cleveland Indians (@Indians) August 11, 2019

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Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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