It might be time for the Minnesota Twins to pull the plug on the Royce Lewis experiment. He posted just 0.5 fWAR and a .227/.287/.380 (85 wRC+) slash line over 125 big-league games this year. Dating back to the beginning of 2024, Lewis has been worth 2.6 fWAR with a .232/.288/.401 (91 wRC+) slash line with 44 home runs and 156 RBI over 313 games.
It's an unfortunate reality for the Twins. The 2017 No. 1 overall pick, Lewis looked like an MVP-caliber player just a few seasons ago. He hit .309/.372/.548 (152 wRC+) with 15 home runs and 52 RBI over 58 games in 2023. Then, he posted a 192 wRC+ with four home runs over six games in the 2023 postseason.
Royce Lewis hits the first home run of the #postseason! 💪 pic.twitter.com/oxer3l0tOH
— MLB (@MLB) October 3, 2023
The Twins sent Lewis down to Triple-A in May after his early-season struggles. He went on an absolute heater with the Saints and quickly earned a promotion back to the majors. He showed flashes of greatness this year, but ultimately put up below-average numbers.
It has become clear the Twins need to part ways with Lewis, as it has now been three straight seasons of poor offensive numbers for the infielder. It would be a bummer to sell low on the former first-rounder, but moving on now might be the best move. Hopefully, the Twins could at least get a decent pitcher or prospect by trading Lewis.
Marek Houston could replace Royce Lewis in Twins' infield
Another reason to trade Lewis is the sudden emergence of shortstop prospect Marek Houston. Minnesota selected Houston with the No. 16 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Wake Forest. When Houston was drafted, many experts viewed him as the class's top defensive shortstop but questioned his bat. Houston, 22, has quickly proved the doubters wrong.
In his first full minor-league season, Houston slashed .312/.392/.455 with 12 home runs, 60 RBI and 50 stolen bases in 116 games between High-A and Double-A.
Houston appears to be following a similar path to Kaelen Culpepper. Minnesota drafted Culpepper in the first round a year before selecting Houston. Like Houston, Culpepper reached Double-A by the end of his first full minor-league season.
Culpepper began the 2026 season with the Triple-A St. Paul Saints. Houston will likely do the same in 2027. If Houston remains healthy and continues to perform well at the plate, he should make his MLB debut next year. With Houston likely nearing his MLB debut, the Twins may be more inclined to trade Lewis, as they will need to make room for Houston in the infield at some point.
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