Royce’s Return: Twins Prospect Locked In

Reports were glowing about Lewis’ progress at the Twins' Alternate Site in St. Paul during the 2020 season. All of that work happened behind closed doors (at least to the public), though, and then a fluke ACL injury cost everyone the opportunity to see him in action last year. Now locked in down in Texas and having been recently added to the 40 man roster, this is as close as Lewis has come. He’s ready to take that next step in a big way.
 
Catching up after a round of batting practice, Royce took the time to have an in-depth phone call and let me know how things are going and where he’s been. This is what he had to say:
 
Twins Daily: Since you’ve last been on the diamond in front of us, what’s changed for you in that time. Physically, mentally, where are you at?
 
Royce Lewis: The growth of any person in this world over the matter of two years is pretty significant, whether it’s for me physically or mentally. The desire to be ready to compete and get after it again is really what’s driving me. I just can’t wait to have fun again. Baseball has always been my place of peace and comfort. To not have that has felt weird and different. Off the field, I really found out who I was as a person, not just as Royce, the baseball player. I have been able to better differentiate my life off the field and separate that, but then lock in when I’m at the field and working. 
 
TD: With it having been two years, what makes you most excited about getting back on the field?
 
RL: I think I’m most excited about the opportunity to have a chance to become a big leaguer. There’s an opening at short, and then the team looks very exciting. I’m just so ready to be a Minnesota Twin. I want to be a Twin, and I’m hoping they want me just as bad. It’s always hard to tell as a player because they don’t necessarily voice those things sometimes, but I want to bring this town and this city a championship soon.

TD: Obviously, the timing of the injury last year stunk. What was the most challenging thing about rehab, and how do you feel physically now?

RL: The toughest thing was probably that I couldn’t play anything. I’ve played sports my whole life, whether that’s golf, bowling, basketball…I’ve always played some sort of sport and been athletic. It felt so weird and different. That goes back to what I was saying about finding out who I was as a person rather than just Royce, the athlete or baseball player. As much as I love sports in my free time, it allowed me to try other things. I’ve gotten into reading, really enjoying time with my family, and other things like that. I broke down Royce the person more than ever before. I took advantage of a situation that was difficult at first and worked it into a period of growth. As far as where I’m at physically, obviously, the knee feels a little different. That’s normal with reconstruction happening to your knee. I’m faster; I ran a 3.85 down the first base line the other day. That’s because of detail-oriented work. Strengthening and understanding it starts in your feet and works through your hammy and quad; being able to rehab and have a normal offseason has been great.

TD: You tasted Spring Training in 2020 and took Zack Wheeler deep. Having had that big-league experience and the time at the Alternate Site, what can you take from that to help get to the Twins in 2022?
 
RL: I think training and preparing differently has come from working with guys like Torii Hunter, Matt Kemp, and LaTroy Hawkins down here in Texas. I’ve been working out with pro guys down here consistently. Marcus Semien recently joined us being with the Rangers, and working with guys like that and picking their brains or watching them has really helped me prepare and determine what’s important. My will to succeed and finally get to the big leagues has continued to be such a driver. There’s been a lot of things that have been hiccups or hindrances in me becoming a big leaguer, but as unfortunate as they have been, I’d rather be up there and ready than one of those guys that’s overly excited and then has to get sent back down and do it all over again. That’s why I’m working as hard as I can.
 
TD: You’ve talked about making tweaks to your swing and worked through a leg kick. Where are you now with your swing, making adjustments, and how do you feel from a comfort standpoint?
 
RL: With your swing, you’re probably always making adjustments trying to be the most consistent. For me, it’s not about whether I can hit the outside or inside pitch, but just doing so on the most consistent basis because I know I’m powerful doing either. Right now, I’ve tweaked it to the point it’s the most consistent it’s ever been; it’s very much so locked in, and I simply can’t wait to get out on the field and show off how much stronger I’ve gotten.
 
TD: Tough situation having been added to the 40-man this offseason now not being able to play at all even if you were going to start in the minors. You mentioned working out with other pros, but how has it been trying to navigate not heading to Fort Myers or having access to club facilities?
 
RL: It’s been different. I had plans to go back to Fort Myers as early as January 17. I wanted to make sure they were checking on my knee and ensuring we were all on the same page. I wanted to get cleared as early as possible because I feel like I’m ready to go as of right now. If we had a season starting, I feel like I can be big-league right at this point. I’m working through it and just working out as much as I can. I’m putting in about five to eight hours a day right now, but that’s what I want to do to better myself and my career.
 
TD: As a guy who will break through to the next level soon, how do you feel about the union advocating so heavily for higher minimums and no service time manipulation?
 
RL: It’s amazing because these guys are essentially not even fighting for themselves; they are fighting for the next generation. Some of these changes won’t even apply to them. A guy like Nelson Cruz is on his way out, yet he’s fighting for the next generation of the game that deserves better. There are pros and cons to this whole situation. I’m on the 40 man, but now I can’t play. I know that God has me where I need to be, though, and I’m just going to keep working and be ready with where I’m at.
 
TD: Months from now, looking back at the narrative of your 2022 to be? What makes this season successful?
 
RL: Playing a full year healthy and not having any hindrances to my schedule. I don’t want to be put on a “return to play” kind of schedule. I want to be back and ready to play 190-plus games. I want to be competing for a championship every year and prepare my body for that. If I can put off a consistent swing each and every day and compete like I always have, honestly, after this injury, I don’t care about the stats anymore; I just want to compete and play the game that I love. I can’t control the opportunities that come my way. I remember guys like Vladdy and Kris Bryant playing really well and still being in the minor leagues. I won’t base a season being good or bad on if I get called up. My time will come; God will let me know when that happens.
 
TD: End with this. You’ve been to Minnesota a handful of times. Aside from playing for the Twins, what are you most excited to experience here when this becomes home?
 
RL: I’m really excited about more of everything. Aside from Twins Fest and a couple of doctor appointments, I haven’t gotten to experience much. I can’t wait for the Juicy Lucy’s; I used to get one but plan on it being once a week minimum while living there. I want to experience the lakes and nature. There’s a handful of hiking trails you’ll probably see me on, and at the end of the season, when it’s colder again, I need to try ice fishing. I’m very excited about all the opportunities.
 
I understand that it’s hard to convey emotion through the written word, and it’s cliché to suggest someone is ready to go simply because of boilerplate comments, but I left this discussion with Royce in awe of where he’s at mentally. Since the day he was drafted, Lewis has been a mature and focused individual. He’s well-mannered and level-headed. The determination behind his words and intention that has followed his actions makes betting against him this season seem like an extremely poor choice.
 
No matter what, seeing this type of talent back on the diamond for Minnesota is something all Twins fans should be excited about in 2022.

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