The Minnesota Twins have not been subtle about their belief in Royce Lewis this winter. Shortly after being hired, manager Derek Shelton made a point to visit several core players in person, a gesture that sent a message about how he intends to lead. Lewis was one of the first stops. At the Winter Meetings, Shelton took that message public on MLB Network, calling Lewis the type of player who can elevate a franchise.
“This guy has a chance to be a superstar,” Shelton said.
Minnesota’s front office echoed that tone throughout the week. Their collective approach feels intentional. They want Lewis to feel supported, challenged, and surrounded by stability as he enters a pivotal stage of his career. For a player whose performance often rises with confidence, it is clear the Twins see value in reaffirming his place in their long-term plans.
Highs and Lows of His Career
The story of Lewis has always been dramatic, from the day the Twins took him with the first overall pick. At his best, he looks like one of the most electric players in the sport. Falvey highlighted that when speaking with reporters.
“Royce has gone through so many ups and downs in his career at this point. We all know that,” Falvey said. “There were huge, awesome moments, right? Go back to [2023] and big moments in postseason games and things you could not really believe were happening.”
Those moments are the reason the Twins refuse to give up on the idea that he could still become a franchise pillar. But the team has also been forced to navigate long absences, extended recovery periods, and the uncertainty that comes with repeated setbacks
“Obviously, the injuries that he’s dealt with at different times,” Falvey said. “I think quite frankly, some of his performance was a result of some of those injuries and trying to track back and try to get himself where he needs to be physically.”
This ebb and flow has made it challenging to project Lewis from one season to the next. Yet, the organization believes that with maturity and better health, the extremes in his performance will gradually smooth out. Falvey noted that Lewis is beginning to understand how to manage those waves, both physically and emotionally.
Defensive Improvements Last Season
One of the most encouraging developments last year was Lewis’s defensive trajectory. Early in the season, there were questions about how consistently he could handle third base, but by late summer, he appeared more polished and reliable. Falvey pointed to that progress as evidence that Lewis can grow when given repetition and structure.
“The thing I took away from the end of the season with him was how much better he got defensively by staying consistent with the work, by doing the things every day,” he said.
Behind the scenes, coaches praised Lewis for taking ownership of his preparation. He embraced early work, leaned on infield instructors, and made the incremental gains the Twins had hoped to see. Falvey emphasized that this consistency was not accidental, but the result of a player starting to understand what everyday excellence requires.
“That’s the type of small wins every day that you build upon each other, and you find a way to become a better overall player. I think he found a way to do that.”
With Lewis now projected as the primary third baseman for 2026, the Twins are optimistic that last year’s improvements were the beginning of a more stable defensive foundation.
Need for Offensive Consistency in 2026
The offensive side, however, remains the most significant area of concern. Lewis has flashed elite bat speed and strength, but extended slumps, health interruptions, and an inability to stay in rhythm have limited his overall impact. Falvey addressed this directly.
“Now we have to get a little more consistency on that on the offensive side, and he knows that,” Falvey said.
The Twins believe that if Lewis can enter spring training fully healthy, he may finally get the uninterrupted runway necessary to find his timing and approach. The organization sees parallels to last year’s defensive gains, hoping that the same daily focus can push him toward becoming a more balanced hitter. Falvey added that a stable offseason and a cleaner spring could give Lewis a “build-up” similar to the one he experienced in the field.
Lewis does have superstar talent; the ingredients are all there. The question is whether 2026 becomes the season when everything finally lines up. The Twins are betting that it will, and based on the messaging from the front office and the manager’s chair, they want to make sure Lewis believes it, too.
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