Royce Lewis Bio
Royce Oliver Lewis is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. The Minnesota native was selected first overall by the Twins in the 2017 MLB Draft and developed into one of baseball’s most promising young talents. Lewis made his highly anticipated MLB debut in May 2022 and quickly established himself as a dynamic presence in the Twins lineup with his combination of power, speed, and defensive versatility.
Early Life and Background
Royce Oliver Lewis was born on June 5, 1999. He grew up in California where he developed his passion for baseball at a young age. Lewis attended JSerra Catholic High School in San Juan Capistrano, California, where he emerged as one of the top high school players in the country.
During his junior year at JSerra Catholic, Lewis established himself as an elite talent by batting .429 with four home runs, earning him the Los Angeles Times high school baseball player of the year honor. In the summer of 2016, he continued to showcase his abilities by playing in two premier all-American games—the Under Armour All-American Game at Wrigley Field and the Perfect Game All-American Classic at Petco Park—and was named MVP of both prestigious events. Lewis primarily played third base and outfield during his first three years of high school before transitioning to shortstop for his senior season.
Path to Professional Baseball
As Lewis entered his senior year at JSerra Catholic, he was considered one of the top prospects for the 2017 Major League Baseball Draft. He had committed to play college baseball at the University of California, Irvine. However, his exceptional senior season made his professional dreams a reality. Lewis was named California’s Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year in 2017 after batting .377 with four home runs and 25 stolen bases.
His outstanding amateur career also included a gold medal performance at the 2014 15U Baseball World Cup in Mazatlán, representing the United States. This international experience, combined with his high school dominance, made Lewis an extremely attractive prospect for MLB teams heading into the 2017 draft.
Royce Lewis Career
Minor League Development (2017–2019)
The Minnesota Twins selected Royce Lewis with the first overall selection of the 2017 MLB Draft. The Twins announced his signing on June 17, 2017, and Lewis quickly began his professional career. He made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast League Twins of the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League on June 26. Less than two months later, on August 12, Lewis was promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels of the Single-A Midwest League. In his debut professional season, he posted a combined .279 batting average with four home runs, 27 RBIs, and 18 stolen bases in 54 games between both clubs.
Lewis returned to Cedar Rapids to begin the 2018 season and dominated the competition. In 75 games for the Kernels, he batted .315 with nine home runs, 53 RBIs, 50 runs scored, and 22 stolen bases. On July 14, 2018, Lewis was promoted to the Fort Myers Miracle of the High-A Florida State League. His rapid rise through the minor leagues continued as MLB.com ranked him as the 10th best prospect in baseball on July 26. Lewis finished his stint in Fort Myers batting .255 with five home runs and 21 RBIs in 46 games. Following the 2018 season, he was named to the Midwest League postseason All-Star team and was awarded Midwest League MVP honors.
The Twins invited Lewis to spring training as a non-roster player in 2019, signaling his status as a top organizational prospect. He began the 2019 season with Fort Myers and was ranked as the fifth-best prospect in all of baseball by MLB.com. Lewis was selected to play in the 2019 All-Star Futures Game, where he represented the Twins organization among the game’s top young players. In July 2019, he received another promotion to the Pensacola Blue Wahoos of the Double-A Southern League. Over 127 games between the two clubs that season, Lewis slashed .236/.290/.371 with 12 home runs, 49 RBIs, and 22 stolen bases. Following the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League for the Salt River Rafters and was named the 2019 Arizona Fall League MVP, further cementing his status as one of baseball’s premier prospects.
Setbacks and MLB Debut (2020–2022)
The 2020 minor league season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, denying Lewis valuable development time. However, an even more significant setback occurred on February 24, 2021, when Lewis was diagnosed with a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee. He underwent surgery on February 26, which required approximately nine months of recovery. This injury caused Lewis to miss the entire 2021 season, a devastating blow to his developmental timeline. Following the season, he was selected to the Twins 40-man roster, ensuring his protected status as the organization continued to invest in his future.
After an extensive rehabilitation process, Lewis made his highly anticipated MLB debut for the Twins on May 6, 2022. Just one week later, on May 13, Lewis hit his first career home run—a grand slam—off Cleveland Guardians reliever Bryan Shaw. This memorable debut made Lewis the second player in Twins history to hit a grand slam for his first career home run, joining Danny Valencia in that distinction. In 12 games during his initial major league stint, Lewis batted .300/.317/.550 with two home runs and five RBIs, displaying the potential that made him the top overall pick. Unfortunately, on May 29, 2022, Lewis re-tore the ACL in his right knee, requiring season-ending surgery and abruptly ending his rookie campaign.
Minnesota Twins Era (2023–Present)
Lewis returned to action on May 29, 2023, when he was activated from the injured list and made his season debut as the starting third baseman. What followed was a remarkable second-half surge that announced Lewis as a legitimate star. On August 27, with the Twins down five runs to the Texas Rangers, Lewis began an incredible comeback by hitting a grand slam, leading the Twins to a dramatic 7-6 victory. The very next day, he hit another grand slam, becoming the first Twins player in franchise history to hit grand slams in consecutive games, providing the margin of victory in a 10-6 win over the Cleveland Guardians.
Lewis continued his historic power display throughout September 2023. On September 4, he tied the Twins franchise record with his third grand slam of the season. Just 11 days later, his fourth grand slam of the season set the new franchise record. Lewis went on the injured list on September 22, ending his regular season. In 18 games during the 2023 regular season, he slashed .313/.410/.612 with six home runs and 23 RBIs, earning him American League Rookie of the Month honors.
Lewis carried his momentum into the postseason. The Twins activated him for Game 1 of the 2023 AL Wild Card Series, where he hit home runs in his first two at-bats. He continued his postseason heroics by hitting his fourth home run of the postseason in Game 4 of the 2023 ALDS, tying Kirby Puckett for the most home runs in one postseason in Twins history.
The 2024 season presented new challenges for Lewis, as he strained his quadriceps on Opening Day and was placed on the injured list on March 30. Prior to the 2025 season, Lewis and the Twins agreed on a one-year contract worth $2.85 million to avoid salary arbitration, securing his place in the organization for the foreseeable future.
Defensive Position and Skills
While primarily known for his offensive prowess, Lewis has established himself as a capable third baseman at the major league level. His defensive versatility, combined with his power-hitting ability and baserunning speed, makes him a multidimensional player who contributes across all facets of the game. His arm strength and range at the hot corner have shown continued improvement with each season.
Notable Achievements and Milestones
Lewis’s career has been defined by remarkable milestones achieved at a young age. His 2023 season, though limited to just 18 games, featured an unprecedented display of clutch hitting with four grand slams, setting a new Twins franchise record. His consecutive grand slam performance against Texas and Cleveland showcased his ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. His postseason performance in 2023, including matching a franchise record held by the legendary Kirby Puckett, demonstrated his capability to shine on baseball’s biggest stage.
Royce Lewis Career Statistics
Through June 26, 2026, Royce Lewis has compiled impressive career numbers across his time in Major League Baseball. His career statistics reflect both his potential and the impact he has made in his limited major league appearances.
Major League Career Highlights
Lewis has established himself as a power threat in the Twins lineup throughout his MLB career. His career batting average of .249 with 53 home runs and 178 RBIs through June 2026 demonstrates his ability to drive in runs and change games with a single swing. His grand slam total remains a franchise record, and his postseason contributions have been clutch and memorable. The 2023 season, despite its brevity, showcased Lewis at his best with a .313 batting average and exceptional power numbers relative to his limited at-bats.
Awards and Accolades
Throughout his career, Lewis has accumulated numerous individual honors at both the amateur and professional levels. His amateur accolades include being named the Los Angeles Times High School Player of the Year, California Baseball Gatorade Player of the Year, and MVP of both the Under Armour All-American Game and Perfect Game All-American Classic. In the minor leagues, he earned Midwest League MVP honors in 2018 and Arizona Fall League MVP honors in 2019. At the major league level, he was named American League Rookie of the Month during the 2023 season.
Royce Lewis Personal Life
Background and Development
Royce Lewis has been focused throughout his career on reaching his full potential as a professional baseball player. His journey through the minor leagues, including two significant ACL injuries, has tested his mental and physical resilience. The support system around him, including the Twins organization, has helped him navigate the challenges of professional baseball. Lewis’s work ethic and dedication to the sport have been evident in his successful return from each setback.
2025 Season Outlook
The 2025 season represents another important chapter in Royce Lewis’s career with the Minnesota Twins. After securing his $2.85 million arbitration deal, Lewis enters the season healthy and motivated to build upon his breakthrough 2023 campaign. The Twins organization continues to view Lewis as a cornerstone piece of their future, and his performance in 2025 could significantly influence the team’s competitive trajectory. With his combination of power, speed, and defensive ability, Lewis has the tools to become one of the premier third basemen in the American League if he can remain healthy and build consistency in his at-bats throughout the season.