Lewis back with Twins
The Minnesota Twins have recalled former top prospect Royce Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul.
The Minnesota Twins recalled infielder Royce Lewis from Triple-A St. Paul on June 6, less than three weeks after sending him down. AP News reported the move comes after Lewis, the former No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017, hit 10 home runs in just 13 games with the St. Paul Saints — a historic power surge that forced the front office's hand.
To make room on the roster, the Twins designated outfielder James Outman for assignment. Outman had been hitting just .156 in 49 games. Manager Derek Shelton made clear Lewis earned his way back. "He went down, he did a good job, he deserves to be back because of the way he performed," Shelton said, according to AP News.
Lewis Dominated Triple-A After Hitting Rock Bottom
When the Twins sent Lewis down on May 19, his numbers were alarming. He was hitting just .163 with a 31.1% strikeout rate — a career worst — and an OPS of .539, according to Sports Illustrated. General Manager Jeremy Zoll called the demotion a "reset" to "get that confidence back."
The reset worked fast. In 60 at-bats over 13 games, Lewis posted a .340 batting average, a .868 slugging percentage, and a 1.285 OPS with the Saints, per MLB Trade Rumors. His average exit velocity hit 95.5 mph, placing him in the 98th percentile of all minor league hitters. Lewis told reporters at Target Field: "Just playing in the big leagues is comfy."
Injuries and Decline Shadowed a Highly Touted Career
Lewis, now 27, has battled injuries since being drafted. He tore his ACL in both 2021 and 2022. He has also dealt with oblique and hamstring strains, according to hjnews.com. Despite the setbacks, he showed elite potential — posting a .921 OPS in 2023.
His production fell sharply after that. His OPS dropped to .747 in 2024, then .671 in 2025, and finally hit that career-low .539 before his May demotion, per Sports Illustrated. A left knee sprain early in 2026 also slowed his start to the season, with Lewis not returning to the lineup until April 21.
Lewis Will Play Multiple Positions, Not Just Third Base
One big change with Lewis's return is where he will play. Third base is no longer his spot. Prospect Brooks Lee has taken over that position. Shelton said Lewis could move around: "There's a chance he could play first. He's not just going to play third," per AP News.
Lewis made his first professional start at second base for the Saints on June 3, signaling the shift is already underway. He is expected to rotate between first and second base, splitting time with other infielders. Zoll praised Lewis for embracing the transition rather than "getting in his head" about it.
Twins Rebuild Puts High Stakes on Lewis's Return
The Twins are in a lean period. Their 2026 payroll sits at roughly $92 million — about $75 million below the MLB average — after a series of cost-cutting moves, per heraldbulletin.com. Manager Rocco Baldelli was fired after a 70-92 season in 2025. Derek Shelton replaced him. Baseball operations chief Derek Falvey left in January 2026.
Lewis is earning $2.85 million in 2026. If he performs, his projected arbitration value could rise to $5 million in 2027, per Sports Illustrated. If he struggles again, the budget-conscious Twins could non-tender him. Some analysts warn his 31.1% strikeout rate is a red flag that Triple-A pitching did not fully address. The next few weeks will reveal which version of Royce Lewis the Twins actually got back.
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