Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis has the potential to be an all-star caliber player. However, his biggest problem is staying on the field. The 25-year-old has been constantly hampered by various injuries. Lewis is set to begin the season on the injured list due to a left hamstring strain. In three seasons, he has only been able to appear in 152 of the possible 486 games. The former Jserra Catholic standout has yet to play in 100 games in a season. His absence from the lineup last season is part of the reason why Minnesota collapsed and missed the postseason. Given all of his injury issues, the question is, will Royce Lewis’s potential ever be fully realized?
An Injury Plagued Three Years
Royce Lewis’s first three seasons with the Minnesota Twins have been frustrating. The former top prospect has been constantly on the injured list. In three seasons, he’s only been able to play in 152 of the possible 486 Twins games. Lewis is set to begin the 2025 season on the injured due to a left hamstring injury. The injury is described as moderate, meaning the 25-year-old will likely need more than just a few days to be fully healthy. While Carlos Correa and Byron Buxton are healthy, this is still a tough break for the middle of the Twins lineup.
He’s A Force When Healthy
When healthy, Royce Lewis can be an all-star caliber player. He makes the middle part of Minnesota’s lineup very dangerous. In just 152 career games, Lewis has slashed .268/.327/.497 with 33 home runs, 104 RBI, and a .825 OPS. Minnesota is also a better team with Royce Lewis’s bat in the lineup. Last season, when Royce Lewis was healthy, Minnesota averaged 4.6 runs per game. However, when he was hurt, the Twins’ average runs per game declined to 4.56.
The Twins Postseason Chances Could Depend On Lewis’s Health
Last season, the Twins were in position to make the postseason for the second consecutive year. However, they ultimately collapsed down the stretch, and the Twins spent October at home. One reason the Minnesota Twins missed the postseason in 2024 was the long absence of Royce Lewis from the lineup. How healthy he is this season could determine whether Minnesota makes or misses the postseason. The AL Central division hasn’t gotten any easier; the Tigers and Royals made some improvements this offseason, and the Guardians always have a fighting chance to make the playoffs.
The Twins Need A Healthy Royce Lewis In 2025
Royce Lewis’s first three years in Minnesota have been injury-riddled. However, when healthy, the 25-year-old has shown he can be a difference-maker for the Twins. In the limited amount of time he’s been available to play, Lewis has made Twins fans anxious to see more from him. He certainly makes the middle of the Twins’ lineup more formidable. Given how tough the AL Central has gotten, the Twins will need his bat more consistently in the lineup. While Lewis is on the injured list now, how healthy he is going forward could determine whether the Minnesota Twins return to the postseason.
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