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Royce Lewis
Royce Lewis
from Wikipedia

Royce Oliver Lewis (born June 5, 1999) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Twins first overall in the 2017 MLB draft. Lewis made his MLB debut in 2022.

Key Information

Amateur career

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Lewis attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California. As a junior, he was the Los Angeles Times high school baseball player of the year after hitting .429 with four home runs.[1] In summer 2016, he played in the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field and the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park, and was named MVP of both games.[2][3] Lewis played mostly third base and outfield his first three years of high school before moving to shortstop for his senior year.[4]

Lewis was considered one of the top prospects for the 2017 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He committed to the University of California, Irvine to play college baseball.[6] He was named California's Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year in 2017 after batting .377 with four home runs and 25 stolen bases as a senior.[7]

Professional career

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Minor leagues

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The Minnesota Twins selected Lewis with the first overall selection of the 2017 draft.[8] The Twins announced his signing on June 17,[9] and Lewis made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Twins of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League on June 26. On August 12, Lewis was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League. He finished 2017 with a combined .279 batting average, four home runs, 27 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 54 games between both clubs.[10] Lewis began the 2018 season with Cedar Rapids.[11] In 75 games for Cedar Rapids, he batted .315 with nine home runs and 53 RBIs along with fifty runs scored and 22 stolen bases.[12]

On July 14, 2018, Lewis was promoted to the Fort Myers Miracle of the High-A Florida State League.[13] On July 26, 2018 MLB.com ranked Lewis as the 10th best prospect in baseball.[14] Lewis ended his stint in Fort Myers batting .255 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 46 games.[15] Following the 2018 season, Lewis was named to the Midwest League postseason all-star team along with teammate Alex Kirilloff. Lewis was also named the MVP of the Midwest League.[16]

The Twins invited Lewis to spring training as a non-roster player in 2019.[17] He returned to Fort Myers to begin the 2019 season.[18] He was ranked the fifth-best prospect by MLB.com at the beginning of the 2019 season.[19] Lewis was named to the 2019 All-Star Futures Game.[20] In July, he was promoted to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Double-A Southern League. Over 127 games between the two clubs, he slashed .236/.290/.371 with 12 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases.[21] He was selected to play in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters following the season.[22] Lewis was named the 2019 Arizona Fall League MVP.[23] Lewis did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[24]

On February 24, 2021, Lewis was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee and had surgery set for February 26. The injury required nine months of recovery, causing Lewis to miss the 2021 season.[25] He was selected to the 40-man roster following the season.[26]

Major leagues

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Lewis made his MLB debut for the Twins on May 6, 2022. On May 13, Lewis hit his first career home run, a grand slam off of Cleveland Guardians reliever Bryan Shaw. He became the second player in Twins history to hit a grand slam for his first career home run, joining Danny Valencia.[27] Lewis appeared in 12 games for Minnesota, batting .300/.317/.550 with 2 home runs and 5 RBI. On May 29, Lewis re-tore the ACL in his right knee. Lewis elected to undergo season-ending surgery to repair the injury.[28]

On May 29, 2023, Lewis was activated from the injured list and made his season debut as the starting third baseman.[29] On August 27, with the Twins down five runs to the Texas Rangers, Lewis began his team's comeback by hitting a grand slam, leading the Twins to a 7-6 victory. The following day he hit another grand slam, becoming the first Twins player to hit a grand slam in consecutive games, and providing the margin of victory in a 10-6 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. It was the third grand slam of his career, achieved in his 50th career game.[30][31] On September 4, he tied the Twins franchise record with his third grand slam of the season.[32][33][34] His fourth grand slam on September 15 set the new franchise record.[35] Lewis went on the injured list on September 22, ending his regular season. In 18 games, Lewis slashed .313/.410/.612 with six home runs and 23 RBIs. He was named the AL Rookie of the Month.[36]

The Twins activated Lewis for Game 1 of the 2023 AL Wild Card Series. Lewis hit home runs in his first two at bats.[37] He hit his fourth home run of the postseason in Game 4 of the 2023 ALDS, tying Kirby Puckett for the most home runs in one postseason for the Twins.[38]

On Opening Day of the 2024 season, Lewis strained a quadriceps, and went on the injured list on March 30.[39]

References

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from Grokipedia
Royce Lewis (born June 5, 1999) is an American for the of (MLB). Selected first overall by the Twins in the 2017 MLB Draft out of in , Lewis has emerged as a power-hitting with strong defensive capabilities, though his career has been significantly impacted by recurring injuries. Lewis signed a professional contract with the Twins for $6.725 million shortly after the draft and quickly rose through their system as one of baseball's top prospects, batting .236 with 12 home runs across and Double-A levels in 2019. However, his development was derailed by major injuries, including a UCL sprain in 2018 and a torn ACL in his right knee in 2021, which sidelined him for much of his early professional career. Lewis made his MLB debut on , 2022, and hit a grand slam for his first career in his eighth game, becoming only the second player in Twins history to accomplish that feat. In his partial 2022 rookie season, he appeared in 12 games, batting .300 with two home runs and five RBIs. His 2023 season showcased his potential with a .309 , 15 home runs, and 52 RBIs in 58 games, including a historic pair of grand slams in consecutive games against the Texas Rangers and in August—the first Twin to do so—before injuries like an oblique strain and issue limited him further. Lewis played 82 games in 2024, hitting .233 with 16 home runs amid quad and adductor strains, and in 2025, he appeared in 106 games with a .237 average and 13 home runs, rebounding from an early-season injury to finish strong despite additional soft-tissue setbacks. Through the end of the 2025 season, Lewis has a career .255 , 46 home runs, and 156 RBIs over 258 games, establishing himself as a key contributor when healthy.

Early life and amateur career

Early life

Royce Lewis was born on June 5, 1999, in , to parents and Cindy Lewis. His father, , worked as a and part-owner of a , and the family resided in the Orange County area of . From a young age, Lewis showed a strong interest in sports, with his father recalling that his first word was "ball," signaling an early passion for athletic pursuits. Raised in a Christian household, Lewis was influenced by his parents' emphasis on , , and , which shaped his character and approach to challenges. His mother, Cindy, prioritized making a central part of home life, while the family regularly attended church services until his growing commitments began to take precedence in his teenage years. This upbringing in Southern California's supportive environment fostered a disciplined , as his parents encouraged balance between and extracurricular activities. Lewis received his early education at in , enrolling as a freshman in 2013 at age 14 and focusing on academics alongside his athletic interests. The school's Catholic foundation aligned with his family's values, providing a relatable spiritual environment through figures like Father Giap, who helped build his faith during this formative period. His initial exposure to competitive baseball came through local youth leagues and travel teams in the Orange County area, where he honed his skills playing against older competitors from a young age. This foundation in organized set the stage for his later transition to high school athletics.

High school career

Royce Lewis attended in , from 2013 to 2017, where he emerged as one of the top high school prospects in the country. Playing as a versatile and , including third base in his early years and as a senior, Lewis showcased exceptional athleticism and versatility during his four years with the Lions, contributing to the team's consistent success in the competitive . His family provided strong support throughout his high school journey, reinforcing his dedication to the sport. As a junior in the 2016 season, Lewis batted .429 and helped lead JSerra to its third consecutive championship while earning league Player of the Year honors for the second straight year. In his senior year of 2017, he posted a .377 with four home runs, 32 runs scored, and 25 stolen bases over the season, guiding the Lions to a 17-13 overall record despite a challenging campaign. Lewis's performance that year included standout showings in key , such as going 8-for-11 with two home runs, a triple, and a double in the National Classic . During the 2016 playoffs, JSerra advanced to the Division 1 semifinals under his leadership before falling to Harvard-Westlake. Lewis's accolades highlighted his dominance, including selection as a Perfect Game All-American and earning MVP honors at the 2016 Perfect Game All-American Classic, where he went 2-for-3 with a two-run triple, three stolen bases, a walk, and a run scored. He was also named the 2016-17 Gatorade California Baseball Player of the Year after his senior season, becoming the first JSerra athlete to receive the award, and advanced as a finalist for the national honor. Additionally, Lewis secured Trinity League Player of the Year for the third consecutive year in 2017. In August 2015, as a junior, Lewis committed to play at the , following a standout sophomore season that included Trinity League Player of the Year recognition. However, he ultimately forewent college to enter the professional ranks after being selected first overall in the 2017 MLB Draft. On the international stage, Lewis represented the as a member of the 2014 USA Baseball 15U National Team at the COPABE Pan Am "AAA" Championships in , , where the squad earned a silver medal. He later joined the 2016 18U National Team, where the team won gold at the , further solidifying his reputation as an elite amateur talent.

Professional career

Minor leagues

Lewis was selected by the with the first overall pick in the on June 12, 2017. He signed with the team on June 17, 2017, receiving a $6.725 million , below the slot value of $7.77 million. Lewis began his professional career assigned to the rookie-level Gulf Coast League Twins, where he hit a in his first and recorded multiple hits in four of his initial six games. On July 19, 2017, he was promoted to the rookie-level of the , batting .368 with two home runs in 12 games there. Overall in 2017, Lewis appeared in 37 games across both levels, batting .279 with four home runs, 27 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases. In 2018, Lewis opened the season with the Single-A Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Midwest League, where he batted .297 with 11 home runs and 42 RBIs in 109 games split between Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers Miracle of the after a midseason promotion on July 14. He concluded the year by participating in the with the Salt River Rafters, hitting .278 with four home runs in 23 games. Lewis's 2018 performance earned him recognition as the Twins' Player of the Week on April 28 after batting .348 with three stolen bases over seven games. Lewis continued his ascent in 2019, starting with the Fort Myers Miracle and batting .255 with five home runs in 46 games before earning a promotion to Double-A Chattanooga of the Southern League on June 4. There, he hit .278 with six home runs in 58 games, and on August 12, he made his Triple-A debut with the of the , going 1-for-5 in one game. For the full 2019 season across three levels, Lewis batted .261 with 11 home runs and 51 RBIs in 105 games. The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the , preventing Lewis from playing competitive games that year. In 2021, Lewis missed the entire season after suffering a torn ACL in his right knee during in February, following a brief stint in the Twins' alternate training site in 2020. He was assigned to the Twins' new Triple-A affiliate, the , upon their expansion into the system that year, though he did not play due to the injury. Lewis returned in 2022 with the , batting .381 with three home runs and 14 RBIs in 12 games before his promotion to the major leagues on May 6. Over his career from 2017 to 2022, spanning 263 games across multiple levels, Lewis compiled a .279 , 29 home runs, 134 RBIs, and 45 stolen bases.

Major leagues

Lewis made his major league debut on May 6, 2022, starting at for the against the at . Batting seventh in the lineup, he went 1-for-4 with a single in his only hit of the game. Lewis's 2022 season was limited to 12 games after an early injury sidelined him, during which he batted .300 (12-for-40) with two home runs and five RBIs. The 2023 season marked a breakout for Lewis, who appeared in 58 games and posted a .309/.372/.548 slash line with 15 home runs and six stolen bases. He earned Rookie of the Month honors for September after hitting six home runs and driving in 16 runs that month. In the postseason, Lewis exploded for four home runs across his first three playoff games—two in the Wild Card Series opener against the Toronto Blue Jays and two more in the ALDS against the Astros—tying the major league record for the most home runs by a player in their initial three postseason contests. His performance powered the Twins to their first playoff series win in 21 years before they fell to the Astros in five games in the ALDS. In 2024, Lewis played 82 games for the Twins, batting .233/.295/.452 with 16 home runs and 47 RBIs while splitting time primarily at third base. His power production contributed to the Twins' 2024 campaign, where they finished fourth in the AL Central with an 82–80 record, 10 games behind the division-winning and missing the playoffs. Through the 2025 season, Lewis has appeared in 106 games, batting .237 with 13 home runs and 52 RBIs. A mid-season hot streak in July highlighted his improved plate discipline, as he drew 10 walks over 25 games while limiting strikeouts to 18. The Twins finished fourth in the AL Central with a 70–92 record, missing the playoffs. Career major league statistics for Lewis through the 2025 season show 258 games played, a .255 , 46 home runs, and 156 RBIs. Notable achievements include his 2023 AL of the Month award and his starring role in the Twins' playoff push that year, where he became the 18th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in his first four career postseason games.

Injuries and playing style

Injury history

Royce Lewis's major league career has been significantly impacted by a series of injuries, beginning shortly after his debut. On May 29, 2022, just weeks after making his MLB debut on May 6, Lewis suffered a second tear of his right ACL, requiring and sidelining him for the remainder of the season after only 12 . In 2023, Lewis began the season on the 60-day while recovering from his 2022 ACL surgery, delaying his return until May 29. He was then placed on the 15-day on July 3 due to a right oblique strain, missing 36 games before returning in late August. Later that year, on September 19, he strained his right , landing on the 10-day and missing the final week of the regular season, though he returned for the . These setbacks limited him to 58 games overall. The 2024 season brought further challenges with lower-body issues. Lewis was placed on the 10-day on April 1 (transferred to the 60-day IL on April 12) after straining his right on March 28 during his season debut, causing him to miss the first two months and return on June 5. On July 5, he went on the 10-day with a left abductor strain, sidelining him until July 26. These injuries restricted him to 82 games. In 2025, strains dominated Lewis's injury timeline. He suffered a moderate left strain on March 16 during , placed retroactively on the 10-day starting March 24, which delayed his debut until May 6 and caused him to miss the first 35 games of the season. On June 13, he strained his left again while running to first base, earning another 10-day stint retroactive to June 14 and missing 15 games before returning on July 1. These absences, combined with ongoing recovery management, limited him to 106 games. Across his four MLB seasons through 2025, injuries have confined Lewis to 258 games played, resulting in approximately 390 games missed due to injured list placements. His recoveries have emphasized progressive strength training to address lower-body vulnerabilities and build resilience, with no surgeries required for injuries since his 2022 ACL procedure; Lewis has also spoken publicly about the mental challenges of repeated setbacks, highlighting a focus on psychological fortitude during rehabilitation.

Batting and fielding

Royce Lewis is a right-handed batter known for his power-hitting profile, characterized by a tendency to pull the ball, with a career pull of 44.3% on batted balls. His swing generates above-average exit velocities, averaging 89.1 mph across his major league career, placing him in the upper tier of hitters for raw contact quality. Lewis has shown a propensity for hard contact, with a career hard-hit rate of 39.8%, though he has faced challenges with swing-and-miss tendencies, evidenced by a 21.2% rate overall. In 2025, his rate improved slightly to 19.9%, reflecting better plate discipline amid ongoing adjustments. Lewis's pre-draft scouting evaluation highlighted his offensive potential on the 20-80 MLB scale, with grades of 55 for hit tool, 45 for power, 70 for run, 50 for arm strength, and 50 for fielding. These tools have translated to a versatile power profile in the majors, where he has demonstrated a 10.0% career barrel rate, underscoring his ability to elevate and drive the ball effectively. Following the 2023 season, Lewis experimented with swing modifications, including a more open stance that increased his attack angle toward the pull side from 3 degrees to 9 degrees, contributing to a rebound in hard-hit rate to 40.3% in 2025 from 37.7% the prior year. Despite occasional hesitancy in further tweaks due to arbitration considerations, these changes have helped optimize his launch angle for greater power output. Defensively, Lewis possesses average arm strength, ranking in the 44th percentile with throws up to 85.4 mph, paired with above-average range that has enabled Outs Above Average (OAA) of +4 in recent seasons. His first-step quickness and lateral agility make him a plus defender at premium infield positions, though he has occasionally struggled with hand consistency on routine plays. Lewis began his career as a in high school and the , where he logged over 2,600 innings at the position, before transitioning primarily to third base in the majors starting in 2024 to accommodate team needs and the presence of at . This shift has showcased his positional versatility, with major league experience also at and limited outings in left field during his developmental years. His career defensive value stands at +2.2 runs above average, reflecting solid contributions across these roles despite the adaptation challenges at third base.

Personal life

Family and faith

Royce Lewis was born on June 5, 1999, in , to parents and Cindy Lewis, who fostered a close family bond centered on hard work and support for his early interests in . His father, a and co-owner of a , balanced a demanding career while prioritizing family, often serving as a for dedication, as Lewis has publicly acknowledged in expressions of gratitude for his parents' sacrifices. Lewis has a younger sister, Rylie, with whom he shares a sibling relationship highlighted by her influence on his personal style and family outings to his father's workplace during childhood. His parents actively supported his journey from youth leagues, attending games and encouraging his development, which helped instill values of perseverance that shaped his approach to the sport. Lewis was raised in a Christian household, where played a central role in family life, including regular until his competitive schedule intensified. He has described growing up "in Christ" under his parents' guidance, crediting this foundation for his personal grounding and resilience, particularly amid career challenges like injuries. In 2023, following a standout playoff debut where he hit two home runs, Lewis attributed his success to divine intervention, stating, "That's a thing." This faith continues to influence his mindset, providing strength during setbacks and helping him maintain as a professional athlete. As of 2025, Lewis is married to Samantha Hobert, whom he wed on January 13, 2025, after a relationship that began around ; the couple enjoyed a in before his spring training return. The family standards set by his parents, combined with his enduring , have been key to his resilience, enabling him to navigate the physical and mental demands of , including multiple injuries.

Community involvement

Royce Lewis has demonstrated a strong commitment to philanthropy through his partnerships with the Community Fund, supporting youth baseball initiatives and community programs in the since his major league debut in 2022. He has contributed autographed memorabilia to annual end-of-season auctions and offered exclusive experiences, such as with him and his wife at in August 2025, to raise funds for youth development and equipment grants. In 2024, Lewis hosted the 14th Annual Grand Slam Dinner at in , benefiting the Boys and Girls Clubs of the and the Twins Community Fund, where he and other players served as waitstaff to enhance the event. A key focus of Lewis's charitable efforts is his longstanding support for The Jessie Rees Foundation, known for its "Never Ever " (NEGU) initiative aiding children battling cancer, which aligns with his personal values. He began by making visits to inspire young patients and expanded his involvement by hosting a youth baseball camp in during the summer of 2024 to raise awareness and funds. Lewis also sells "Humility Chains"—custom jewelry pieces— with all proceeds donated to NEGU, a practice rooted in a 2019 fundraiser where he auctioned similar items as a minor league prospect to support charitable causes. In addition to youth and health-focused work, Lewis has contributed to medical research efforts, notably at the 19th Annual Diamond Awards in January 2024, where he and his fiancée auctioned a personal lunch and game-day experience, fetching $10,000 toward a total of over $300,000 raised for neurological research and family support. His community engagement extends to direct fan interactions, including a 2023 gesture welcoming a young fan with a into the Twins dugout during a home game, which earned him the team's Carl R. Pohlad Outstanding Award that year. Lewis maintains an active presence on social media platforms like and X (formerly ), where he shares motivational content to connect with supporters and promote positive messages.

References

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