It's been a rough year for third baseman Royce Lewis. The Minnesota Twins optioned the 2017 first-overall pick to Triple-A St. Paul on Tuesday after he posted an awful .163/.261/.279 (55 wRC+) slash line across 119 big-league plate appearances this season. After being demoted, Lewis faced backlash from fans over a quote featured in an article by The Minnesota Star Tribune's Bobby Nightengale.
However, Lewis has looked like a man on a mission since being demoted to Triple-A, going 4-for-13 with three home runs, one walk and four RBI across three games. While it's a small sample size and it's much easier to hit in Triple-A than the majors, Lewis' strong start to his Triple-A stint is still an encouraging sign for Minnesota. Lewis also played two rehab games with the Saints in April, hitting a home run in both.
Second time in three games since being optioned and 4th in 5 overall games with us that Royce Oliver Lewis smashes one over the wall. pic.twitter.com/d1bLVBCuRg
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 24, 2026
So there's this guy, his name is Royce Lewis. He homered in his last at bat. And he just homered in his next at bat. He goes to straightaway center, his third homer in three games since being optioned, and 5th in a Saints uniform this season pic.twitter.com/IhcW8H41xl
— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) May 24, 2026
After demoting Lewis, the Twins moved Brooks Lee from shortstop to third base, Lewis' primary position. The position change signals that Minnesota is likely preparing to promote top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper, who is hitting .247/.349/.466 (108 wRC+) with 10 homers and 33 RBI over 44 games with the Saints this year, and keep Lewis in the minors for a while. Unless an injury to Lee or Culpepper allows Lewis to rejoin the Twins as a third baseman when he's ready, Minnesota may consider moving Lewis to first base.
Twins shouldn't get rid of Lewis
Getting rid of Lewis, 26, now would be foolish. His value is at an all-time low, and he still has the potential to be a star. He may never return to the 2023 version of himself who slashed .309/.372/.548 (152 wRC+) with 15 homers and 52 RBI over 58 games. But there's a chance he could. The best course of action for Minnesota is to allow Lewis to reset in Triple-A for a month or two, then recall him if he continues to succeed with the Saints. But if he starts to struggle with the Saints or when/if Minnesota recalls him, it may be time for the Twins to move on.
Lewis is batting second and starting at shortstop for the Saints' series finale of a three-game set against the Omaha Storm Chasers at CHS Field in St. Paul. The game is scheduled to begin at 5:07 CST tonight and will be available to stream on The CW Twin Cities, MLB.TV and BallyLive.com.
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