Rocco Reveals What Position Royce Lewis Will Play and Why

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Royce Lewis, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins officially kicked off Spring Training on Thursday when pitchers and catchers reported to camp. Plenty of position players are already in Fort Myers too. The Grapefruit League schedule starts on February 22, where we hope to see positive signs from youngsters like Royce Lewis, Brooks Lee, Jose Miranda and Eddie Julien, who all struggled through large parts of last season.

Leading up to camp, Royce Lewis’ defensive position has been up for debate. Late last summer, he was asked to play second base in a pinch, and didn’t handle it well. But this offseason, the 25-year-old infielder made a point to prepare for a possible role at second base, where an argument can be made that he is better suited than third base.

Minnesota Twins will use Royce Lewis at the hot corner

But it no longer looks like a defensive move is in the cards for Lewis in 2025. When MN Twins manager Rocco Baldelli was asked by Phil Miller (Star Tribune) about where his young star will play this season, Rocco answered by saying that Lewis will be the Twins third baseman this season.

“Royce is going to play third base. He’s going to get the vast majority of his work at third, next to Carlos at short. Second base, honestly, Willi Castro is going to play a good amount there. And Eddie Julien is going to have a chance to show us what he can do again.”

Rocco Baldelli on the Twins infield (Star Tribune)

Royce Lewis played 51 games at third base last season, including Opening Day. Of the 115 games he has played in the big leagues, 100 of them have been spent at the hot corner. In 2025, it sounds like he will add exponentially to that total, as long as he can stay on the field.

Let’s be honest, Brooks Lee made his major league debut in 2024 and looked to be a better fit physicall at third base than Lewis. That’s what originally brought on these questions regarding second base.

What happened with move to second base?

Miller asked Baldelli why the Twins scrapped the idea of having Lewis move across the diamond and the manager was pretty direct with his answer. Essentially, that’s where Royce wants to play. Or as the manager put it, it’s where he is comfortable.

“I don’t think it’s an obvious call, that he’d probably be better at one spot than the other, I really don’t. I really believe he has the skill to stand out, to be excellent, at both spots. But he’s a young guy who is still developing, and right now he is very comfortable at third base. So we’re comfortable having him there.”

Baldelli on not having Lewis play second base (Star Tribune)

Related: Insider Praises Minnesota Twins Offseason

That certainly sounds like a relative level of unwillingness from Lewis to play second base. He is comfortable at third base because it’s a position he has come to know. That same level of comfort could be established at second base, but it’s something he has to lean into as well.

Lewis’ agent Scott Boras has talked about Royce playing second and likened him to a Ryne Sandberg profile. The Twins haven’t had a true offensive profile at second base since the best years of Brian Dozier. Lewis may be able to change that if he were willing.

At the hot corner last season Lewis had his fair share of troubles. He recorded six errors in 124 chances (.952 fielding percentage). He posted a -2 DRS (defensive runs saved) while have a +2 OAA (outs above average).

Infield will be a work in progress for MN Twins

It remains to be seen how this construction will all go. Ultimately, Castro at second base makes sense, but he’s a utility player. Brooks Lee will need time somewhere. Realistically, it comes down to Lewis being available and productive as well.

Last season Lewis was injured after his second at bat. He finished with just a .233/.295/.452 slash line. Over his last 37 games, from August 18th on, he was especially putrid. The slash line was just .182/.224/.250 with a 37/8 K/BB.

Related: 2025 Minnesota Twins Opening Day Roster Projection (1.0)

Minnesota is placing a significant amount of belief in stars like Lewis, Carlos Correa, and Byron Buxton being healthy this season. With those guys on the roster, you have to operate in that manner.

If Lewis can put his first season of struggles behind him, then it really won’t matter where he plays. The Twins will want him in there ever day.

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