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Royce Lewis is Back and Better Than Ever… on Defense
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- Royce Lewis is Back and Better Than Ever… on Defense
Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
Royce Lewis didn't go north with the Minnesota Twins out of Spring Training. That's because, as Grapefruit League play was wrapping up, he suffered a hamstring strain that cost him 34 regular season games. From there, the start of the Twins season only got worse, as they stumbled out of the games to a 7-15 start.
It wasn't until their recent 13-game winning streak that Rocco Baldelli & Co. finally crawled out of that early hole they dug for themselves. Now comfortably back above .500, at 27-22 entering Thursday's off day, Lewis is back in the MN Twins lineup and seemingly getting better with every game that he plays.
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But Royce Lewis has already proven, for the most part, that he can hit big league pitching. It's what he has done to fix his defensive problems at third base that is turning heads, not just inside the fanbase, but in the Twins' dugout as well.
Royce Lewis playing great defense for Minnesota Twins…?
Credit: Matt Blewett-Imagn Images
Royce put in the additional work this offseason, trying to improve arm angles, among other things, to try and improve the throwing errors that have hindered him since arriving in the big leagues. Through 14 regular season games since returning from the injured list, Lewis suddenly looks like a new guy with his glove on his hand.
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One guy who has taken notice of the former No. 1 pick's improvements at the hot corner is Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli, who told the Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale that he and the other coaches have absolutely taken notice of Lewis' increased competency on defense..
"We've all been really impressed. All of us in the dugout, seeing the way that he's making his initial decisions and his reads — that's where a lot of those plays are made. In the moment after the ball's hit, in the first split-second which direction you're going to go in and how you're going to attack the ball, he's been making a lot of really good decisions."
Last season, the MN Twins bounced Royce Lewis around the diamond. He didn't like the idea of playing second base. Thus, he was all but handed the hot corner prior to spring training, over Brooks Lee, who had proven to be a much better defender at third base, prior to 2025.
Lewis credits both infield coach Ramon Borrego (who Lewis worked with in the minors) and St. Paul manager Toby Gardenhire for helping him get to where he needs to be, especially on defense. Royce says he's so confident in his glove right now that he feels "like a true shortstop playing third base".
"[They] have really helped me get into a position where I feel comfortable again. I'm happy for it, man. I love being an athlete. I feel like a true shortstop playing third base."
Minnesota needs Lewis to develop into a plus defender at third base, if their current and future roster makeup is going to settle like the organization believes it will. Defense is something he can contribute even when the bat isn't quite there. Like now, as he tries to find his swing, following a month and a half in the IL.
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Advanced metrics back up defensive eye test
After going hitless in his first five games, Lewis is batting .265 with a .736 OPS in his last nine games. He launched his first home run against Milwaukee, over the weekend, and would have tied the game with his second, had he not been robbed by outfielder Jackson Chourio, later in that contest. But we know Royce will find it offensively. Until then, defense is key.
Last season, Royce Lewis was worth -2 DRS (defensive runs saved) at third base (411 innings). In 2023, he finished with a +2 DRS, in roughly the same number of innings. Through just 84 innings in 2025, he's already accumulated +2 DRS. His 1 OAA (outs above average) is impressive too.
You don't need advanced metrics to appreciate the way Lewis has flashed the glove since returning from the injured list. Minnesota needs that from him as well considering Brooks Lee is filling in for Carlos Correa at shortstop.
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Lewis has never played more than 416 innings of defense at any one position during a given season. His injury history has held him back from doing so. If he can remain healthy the rest of the way, Minnesota may have a real asset at the hot corner on their hands.
