Front Page: The Defensive Future of Royce Lewis

[USAFChief]

How's about they use Lewis as the centerpiece of a deal for pitching, and let someone else figure out what to do with a SS who hasn't hit and won't play SS.

[Linus]

How's about they use Lewis as the centerpiece of a deal for pitching, and let someone else figure out what to do with a SS who hasn't hit and won't play SS.

This. If he can’t stick at short his prospect value halves. If your assessment tells you he isn’t likely to stay at short trade him immediately for the best pitching deal you can get

[Mike Sixel]

 

This. If he can’t stick at short his prospect value halves. If your assessment tells you he isn’t likely to stay at short trade him immediately for the best pitching deal you can get

 

I don't agree. He looks like he could be an elite CF.......

 

I have no idea what his future is. None.

[jorgenswest]

As for his development they need to make sure his bat is an asset. It might be best to put the extra work at the plate than learning 3B or CF.

 

I also think he has more value in trade as a starting SS prospect than a super utility with a mediocre glove at several positions.

 

Develop the bat. Develop his glove at SS.

[DocBauer]

I think a lot of comments are selling Lewis short, no pun intended.

 

I don't see where Steve, or anyone really, is saying he can't play SS. Only 19yo and played in AA ball and didn't embarrass himself. Nobody is saying he can't or won't potentially displace Polanco. But Polanco is also young and continues to improve, and should continue to improve. There is room for both of them. The point Brian was making was an excellent one. If you have Polanco, Arraez and Sano as quality fixtures, and have more than a couple 1B options getting really close, (plus a potential move of Sano to 1B), and have a dynamic OF, when together, and a couple other really nice kids on the way up, what on earth is so wrong with Lewis playing other positions in his ML promotion?

 

That's like saying Marwin's value is limited because he doesn't play a single position. Maybe more to the point, examine Arraez. While a natural 2B, and possibly a fixture there for some time, he contributed at 2B/SS/3B/LF. Was that a mistake in his usage? I would say a resounding NO.

 

And Lewis is a far greater athlete with greater potential. Where he ultimately fits on a daily basis is yet to be determined. But when he is ready to come up, why not use him in similar fashion?

 

And I find debates about his offense humorous. A year ago he looked so good some thought/hoped he'd be ready early 2020. Now, he struggled a bit as a 19yo in his second full season. But he's flashing in the AFL.

[Steve Lein]

 

What does that look like? You play him at all the positions other than SS that he might be asked to play? [...] It's relatively easy for an elite athlete to transition from SS to somewhere else,...vs the other way around.I'm arguing that the LOW risk move is to continue to focus his development at SS rather than guess where he might fit in when his bat demands that he move to the major league club. The HIGH risk path is to siphon significant development time away from SS by guessing where he might fit when that time comes. 

 

We agree here, just think you're getting lost in the details. You started by responding to my comment that I think he could be better than Polanco eventually, so why waste his development time at SS.

 

I wasn't at any point saying you do what they're doing with him in the AFL moving forward. You definitely focus on SS. You are correct in saying this is the low-risk path and that transitioning from SS to elsewhere is easier.

 

All I'm saying is that this venture and experience in the AFL helps open that door when it gets to the point where you need to play him somewhere, but Polanco is still the (better) guy at SS. I definitely think this is a possibility, and the more likely scenario at this point. 

 

Maybe you play him at a different position a few times a month, but certainly not a scenario where you siphon significant development time.

Edited October 23, 2019 by Steve Lein

[Riverbrian]

 

We agree here, just think you're getting lost in the details. You started by responding to my comment that I think he could be better than Polanco eventually, so why waste his development time at SS.

 

I wasn't at any point saying you do what they're doing with him in the AFL moving forward. You definitely focus on SS. You are correct in saying this is the low-risk path and that transitioning from SS to elsewhere is easier.

 

All I'm saying is that this venture and experience in the AFL helps open that door when it gets to the point where you need to play him somewhere, but Polanco is still the (better) guy at SS. I definitely think this is a possibility, and the more likely scenario at this point. 

 

Maybe you play him at a different position a few times a month, but certainly not a scenario where you siphon significant development time.

 

Exactly... Things don't have to be all or nothing. 

 

I don't know anything about Lewis defensively but I'm willing to lay down a bet with anyone that when he hits the major leagues. It will be close to a mid-season ... and... and...  the odds are that he will debut at position other than SS so I will be comfortable taking that bet as well. 

 

If that's the case and it probably is... Let him play multiple positions, he can still play the majority of time at SS if you so desire.  

 

And who knows... maybe in the process of doing so. A different SS comes around who can REALLY pick it. A different SS that also starts figuring it out at the plate because he now gets the chance to figure it out at the plate because Lewis isn't playing every possible inning at SS.

 

So, now you have given opportunity to multiple SS's and may the best man win . You increase your production by a 2 to 1 margin instead of locking into one and saying we will live or die with you and you alone. Production is increased, options are increased... these are good things. 

 

 

[Kelly Vance]

1. Polanco is an All Star at SS this year. Its going to take something special to push him out

2. Jorge was extended and for good reason.

3. Lewis was drafted as a SS.  He has skills and lots of potential. But so did Ripkin and he was moved over. Except Miggie mans 3B and he had a breakout year.

4. Kiriloff is closer to the show than Lewis, which is why Miggie is not just being moved to 1b. 

 

My guess is that, barring injury, Lewis gets traded for pitching in a win win deal. 

 

 

[h2oface]

I don't think these games mean a damn thing about where the Twins will have him develop. Exihibition games, managed by people not in his orginization, to get the kid some more at bats, and hopefully confidence after a very mediocre season at the plate. Where he is playing during the short AFL season means absolutely nothing about his future.

[TopGunn#22]

Interesting comments and thoughts from all.  Here are a few of mine:

1.  Remember how Polanco was moved around and played some 2B and SS in the minors prior to his callup?

2.  Kiriloff & Lewis are always talked about as our top 2 position player prospects, but don't sleep on        Larnach.  He should be right there with those 2.

3.  The mystery man in the Twins minor leagues is Wander Javier.  Once thought to be our BEST SS prospect, he's had 2 injury marred years.  This is a big "IF" but, what if he comes back strong this year?

That could have an effect on Lewis and his future position.

4.  I think the best plan is to have Lewis play the majority of his innings at SS.  But I would certainly give him innings at 3B and CF.  I think those who point out added versatility could speed his move to the majors are correct. 

5.  There is no doubt in my mind that Sano is a future DH/1B.  3B will be a hole to fill in one or 2 years.