Minnesota Twins: What we’re hearing about the future of Royce Lewis

MINNEAPOLIS — Royce Lewis is working his way back from injury and picking up time at a new position that could give him even more versatility in the future with the Minnesota Twins.

The 23-year-old Lewis, ranked as Minnesota’s second-highest prospect by MLB.com, is still recovering from a torn ACL suffered after making a catch against the outfield wall in a game on May 29, 2022, against the Kansas City Royals. It put a quick end to his first season at the MLB level, one that saw him appear in 12 games after making his debut on May 6 and helping the Twins navigate through an injury that sidelined shortstop Carlos Correa.

Minnesota Twins: After injury, what comes next for Royce Lewis?

Nick Paparesta, Minnesota’s head athletic trainer, gave reporters an update on Friday before a scheduled game between the Minnesota Twins and Kansas City Royals at Target Field.

“Royce has played in two Florida Complex League games,” Paparesta said. “He’s been at three-inning capacities on an every other day basis. We have him playing third base and shortstop, kind of working back and forth between those two positions.”

Lewis playing at third base is an interesting development as he saw time last season with the Twins at shortstop and a single game in center field (the one where he hurt his knee). In his minor league career, Lewis has only played in three games at third base, so this would be a new addition to where the Twins potentially see him in the future.

“I think the focus for Royce is still, of course, just the medical side and the building up side,” Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said on Friday. “He’s going to play a bunch of shortstop. We discussed as a group, going all the way to the beginning of camp, a long discussion and maybe an ongoing discussion, but what he’s going to do is play short and he’s going to play third. He’s going to stay on that side of the field right now to get all of his work in and build up.

“It gives us another longer term option for him. Obviously Carlos is our shortstop and he’s playing shortstop right now. But this allows Royce to have different options once he’s healthy and back playing.”

Paparesta estimated that there would be a rehab assignment for Lewis “at some point and time in May.” After that, we’ll see what the future looks like for him in the Minnesota organization and if that will include time at the hot corner.