Royce Lewis DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Minnesota Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said that infielder Royce Lewis will play third base in 2025, but he will also mix in some at second base during spring training. While Lewis will be an option for the Twins at the keystone, it doesn't sound likely that he's going to gain eligibility at second base this year. With the Twins keeping the 25-year-old right-handed power hitter at the hot corner, it means that young infielder Brooks Lee will probably open the regular season as the team's primary second baseman. However, he'll have to beat out the likes of Edouard Julien and Willi Castro. Lewis has elite power from the third base position, but he's torn his ACL twice already and missed another 58 games in 2024 due to a hamstring injury. He slumped to end the year but still finished with 16 home runs and a 108 wRC+ in 82 games. Lewis is an injury risk but could be worth it if you are looking for power.

Minnesota Twins manager Rocco Baldelli said at the MLB winter meetings on Tuesday that the club hasn't decided yet if third baseman Royce Lewis will shift from the hot corner to second base in 2025. Baldelli also said that Lewis has been taking ground balls at the keystone this offseason just in case, and the skipper is confident that Lewis has the skill set to be able to make a successful transition to second if the team asks him to do so. The 25-year-old made one start at second in 2024 but could play regularly there in 2025, depending on what the rest of Minnesota's roster looks like come spring training. The former first overall pick has some of the best pop from the right side in baseball, but he's already torn his ACL twice and hasn't played more than 82 games in his first three seasons in MLB. Lewis is a risk/reward power bat that could become a lot more attractive if he gains second base eligibility.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis could see more time at the keystone next year. Lewis started one game at second in 2024, but more playing time there in 2025 could allow infielder Jose Miranda to spend more time at the hot corner if the Twins add a regular first baseman to replace free agent Carlos Santana. "Some of that will depend on the personnel we acquire, don't acquire and how that all shakes out," president of baseball operations Derek Falvey said of Lewis at second base. "We want him to stay open-minded to that and we'll have that conversation." The former first overall pick in 2017 probably makes more sense from a defensive standpoint at second because of his poor throwing accuracy. Offensively, Lewis is one of the better young power bats in the game, although he's been extremely injury-prone in his first three MLB seasons.

Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis is making his first career major-league start at second base and will bat in the two-hole in Wednesday's contest against the Tampa Bay Rays and right-hander Cole Sulser at Tropicana Field. Jose Miranda will man the hot corner and hit cleanup for the Twins. Minnesota may want to transition Lewis to the keystone because of some throwing issues he's had on defense at third base recently. It remains to be seen if this is a permanent move going forward, but if it is, it will only make the 25-year-old former first overall pick that much more attractive in fantasy. Injuries have been Lewis' biggest obstacle early in his MLB career, but in just 59 games in 2024, he's already set a new career-high with 16 home runs to go along with 44 RBI in 235 plate appearances. Lewis is a must-start for his power alone in fantasy.

Minnesota Twins infielder Royce Lewis is taking a seat ahead of Sunday's game against the Texas Rangers. This appears to be a routine rest day for Lewis so fantasy managers don't need to be concerned about an injury. Lewis has collected three hits in this series, so him sitting out isn't due to poor performance. The expectation is he'll be back in the lineup after this contest. Jose Miranda will cover third base and bat second versus right-hander Tyler Mahle on Sunday. Miranda is one of the biggest surprises in baseball with a .308 batting average and nine home runs with 46 RBI in 93 games. He should be rostered in most fantasy formats with the way he's swinging the bat.