Royce Lewis

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #1 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: The No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, Lewis has already endured numerous peaks and valleys in his career before he has even graduated from prospect status. After establishing himself as a promising hitter with an excellent 2018 season at Class A, Lewis looked lost at the plate in 2019. His batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all dipped by 60-70 points while his strikeout rate soared. The coronavirus pandemic meant he didn't get to play in any real games in 2020, and his 2021 season never got going because he was diagnosed in spring training with a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that required surgery. He returned to action in 2022 and earned a pair of callups to Minnesota. In his first game in center field with the Twins, he re-tore his right ACL while making a catch at the wall. He had surgery to repair this partial tear in June. While multiple ACL tears are rare in baseball, it is more common in football. A study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine showed that NFL players with two ACL injuries in the same knee returned to play with similar recovery rates to players who had one ACL injury, but it did often take them a little longer to return to action.
  
  Scouting Report: For all his injuries and struggles, Lewis should still turn out to be a middle-of-the-lineup force who can hit for average and power while being an asset defensively and on the basepaths. Before his second knee injury, Lewis was looking like everything the Twins had hoped for when they drafted him first overall. He has cleaned up his setup at the plate, which closed some holes in his swing. Most significantly, Lewis turned a big leg lift into a much smaller toe tap. That has allowed him to reduce a tendency to bail out with his lower half, which has improved his ability to stay on breaking pitches on the outer third of the plate. Lewis has excellent trunk rotation speed, which allows him to generate bat speed and power to all fields when he keeps his lower half in sync. His power proved to be a revelation in 2022. His 114 mph max exit velocity ranked in the top 6% of all MLB hitters. With better plate coverage, he has a shot to be an average hitter with plus power. Defensively, Lewis has above-average range at shortstop with a plus arm. He has the tools to be a plus defender at second or third base, above-average in center field and plus in either outfield corner. Lewis was a plus-plus runner before his knee injuries. It's possible he may be a little slower when he returns, but his speed should still be an asset.
  
  The Future: Lewis will likely miss the first few months of 2023 as he rehabs his right knee. When he is ready to go, he should fit onto the Twins' MLB roster as a righthanded hitter with power. In addition to his impressive tools, Lewis' makeup is lauded, and he quickly made a positive impression on his big league teammates. Where he plays in 2023 is somewhat dependent on team needs.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 65. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #2 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Lewis has had a bit of an up-and-down minor league career since going No. 1 overall in the 2017 draft. He hit well and showed developing power in the lower levels of the minors in 2017-18 before struggling with consistency at the plate in 2019 when he made his way to Double-A. After the season in 2019, Lewis took off in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named MVP. He missed the 2021 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.
  
  Scouting Report: If you’re just looking at overall upside, it would be hard to take any player in Minnesota’s system over Lewis. He has plenty of bat speed, plus raw power, elite range and quickness with 70-grade running ability when healthy. He was also showing progress defensively at shortstop the last time scouts saw him regularly playing—with above-average potential at the game’s most valued non-catching position. However, Lewis also comes with plenty of question marks, and missing the last two seasons due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a knee injury have only made him tougher to figure out. Lewis has plenty of moving parts in his swing that have led to inconsistencies, and he’s also gotten pull-happy and had trouble covering the outer half of the plate. He’s a versatile defender who has also played third, second and center—with plus defensive potential in the outfield.
  
  The Future: Perhaps no player in Minnesota’s system could have used a full 2021 season more than Lewis, but he’ll get back to action in 2022, where he’ll look to have his first full season in the upper minors and continue refining his approach at the plate.
  
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #3 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins made Lewis the first overall pick in the 2017 draft after a decorated career at national prep power JSerra High in Southern California. Lewis looked the part with a strong first two seasons, but he struggled to hit and with his overall consistency in 2019 at high Class A and Double-A. SCOUTING REPORT: The most athletic and naturally gifted player in the Twins’ system, Lewis has impressive raw tools but is still learning how to translate them into in-game skills. He has plenty of bat speed, but there’s lots of movement in his swing and he can get pull-happy, which creates issues in his lower half and bat path through the zone. He has plate coverage issues on the outer half, particularly against sliders. Lewis does have plus raw power, but questions about his swing and pitch selection prevent him from tapping into it. Lewis has focused on his defensive work at shortstop, particularly with his throwing. He’s shown progress and has the elite range and quickness to become an above-average defender at the position with continued reps and refinement. THE FUTURE: Lewis’ athleticism and potential defensive versatility—he has also played third base, second base and center field—might have allowed him to help the Twins in 2021 if healthy, but he will miss the entire season after fully tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #1 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: After a decorated high school career at JSerra and multiple successful stints with Team USA, Lewis was the first overall pick in 2017 and signed for $6.725 million that was both a club record and a full $1 million under slot. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in both the Midwest and Florida State leagues in 2018, his first full season, but holes started showing up in his game at high Class A. His day-to-day performance in 2019, when he returned to the FSL, was equal parts baffling and brilliant, but he showed the top tier of his talent at the Futures Game and again in the Arizona Fall League, where he was MVP.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Lewis' future is going to come down to how well he can hit. Loud mechanics at the plate—a high leg kick, hand hitch and deep weight transfer—open plenty of holes for pitchers to exploit. As a result, he sputtered when he returned to the FSL, where he struck out 22 percent of the time. His hard contact is among the loudest in the game—it just doesn't come often enough. Lewis' hands work well, he has plenty of bat speed and he has some adaptability to his swing, but his timing is often off. That leads many to expect he'll eventually have to tone down his leg kick. His plus power has gotten more impressive. He now draws comparisons with a young George Springer as a plus athlete with power and hit-tool questions. Defensively, Lewis is an explosive athlete who can stick at shortstop because of lateral range, first-step quickness and a strong arm. He struggles with his throws at times when he has time to think and get mechanical. The Twins exposed Lewis to other positions—including second base, third base and center field—in the waning days of the season and in the AFL. He showed the speed and instincts to play center field in the AFL and fared well at the other spots around the infield. His eventual home will partly depend on the Twins' needs.
  
  THE FUTURE: Lewis faces a likely return to Double-A to start 2020. There, he will work to continue smoothing his hitting mechanics in order to realize his upside. Minnesota didn't have a viable injury replacement for Byron Buxton in 2019. Lewis might be the club's best fill-in option in center field or at multiple infield spots by late 2020.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #1 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Picking No. 1 overall in 2017 for just the third time in club history, the Twins passed on advanced college pitchers Brendan McKay (Louisville) and Kyle Wright (Vanderbilt) as well as elite high school arms Hunter Greene and MacKenzie Gore. Instead they ignored predraft concerns about Lewis’ hit tool and opted for him after falling in love with his five-tool potential, outstanding makeup and franchise-level charisma. Lewis accepted a club-record draft bonus of $6.725 million that was nearly a full million below slot value. He shined in his full-season debut by ranking as the No. 1 prospect in both the Midwest and Florida State leagues.
  
  Scouting Report: Lewis endured a pair of lengthy hitting slumps in 2018, one apiece in each league. He also learned how to fight his way out of bad habits that may have come from trying to play through patellar tendinitis in his left knee. With a high waist and wide shoulders, Lewis shows high-end athleticism and the ability to make quick, natural adjustments. The Twins got him to calm down his leg kick with two strikes, but they had no issues with his early-count aggressiveness. Lewis has learned to turn on inside pitches but still struggles at times with soft stuff away. Instinctive and smart, he shows advanced plate discipline and drastically cut his flyball rate after earning a July promotion to the bigger ballparks of the FSL. He still managed to help lead high Class A Fort Myers to a league title while flashing plus speed and a basestealer’s mentality. After seeing time at third base and center field at JSerra Catholic High, he has worked extensively on his footwork, range and throwing mechanics at shortstop with minor league infield coordinator Sam Perlozzo. Rival scouts still see a funkiness to Lewis’ throwing motion, which includes a higher-than-normal release point, but his arm strength and accuracy have improved. His hands are soft, his reactions are good and he goes back well on pop-ups.
  
  The Future: Lewis figures to return to Fort Myers in 2019. Industry debate will continue about his ability to stay at shortstop, but he will be given every opportunity to play himself off the position as he climbs the ranks. While Alex Kirilloff has narrowed the gap considerably, Lewis still merits the mantle of No. 1 prospect.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #1 prospect in 2018
  Armed with the No. 1 overall draft pick for just the third time in club history, the Twins surprised many in the industry by passing on advanced college arms such as Brendan McKay and Kyle Wright along with high school phenom Hunter Greene. Instead, they took Lewis, a late-blooming gamer with outstanding makeup and the potential to become a five-tool, franchise-changing asset. Signed to a club-record draft bonus of $6.725 million, nearly a full million below slot value, Lewis became the first 1-1 selection for the Twins since hometown catcher Joe Mauer in 2001. Lewis' mother Cindy is a former softball first baseman and pitcher for San Jose State who once beat UCLA great Lisa Fernandez 1-0 at Westwood. Pre-draft concerns about Lewis' hit tool proved unwarranted as he had no problem making the necessary adjustments for a smooth transition to pro ball. Hitting coordinator Rick Eckstein got him to use his hips and legs better, and that opened up the pull side for Lewis, who homered on a full count in his first pro plate appearance. With a high waist and wide shoulders, he showed excellent plate discipline and an all-fields approach that drew comps to Ian Desmond. Lewis has plus speed and advanced instincts on the bases, where he was caught stealing just three times in 21 attempts. In the field, after seeing time at third base and center field at JSerra Catholic High School, he was working hard to improve his range at shortstop with better positioning and pre-pitch anticipation. He flashed plus arm strength before the draft but saw that wane under the Florida heat and an increased workload. A separated left shoulder suffered in high school hasn't been an issue so far. Lewis' makeup and work ethic are off the charts, and his ability to connect with teammates, fans and media are reminiscent of Carlos Correa. After a week or so, Ramon Borrego, his GCL manager, was calling for Lewis to skip the Rookie-level Appalachian League and be promoted all the way to low Class A Cedar Rapids. That happened in early August. Lewis figures to return to the Midwest League to start his first full pro season. If he dominates there the way Byron Buxton did in 2013, a promotion to high Class A Fort Myers could come by midseason. He's given the Twins no reason to doubt his ability to stay at shortstop or their decision to invest the top overall pick in his vast potential.

Draft Prospects

• Ranked #5 prospect in 2017 draft
  Lewis's unique combination of explosive tools, top-of-the-scale makeup and up-the-middle defensive profile make him arguably the best position player prospect in this year's class. "In my opinion Royce Lewis is the best player in the country," JSerra head coach Brett Kay said in April. "You want to see that kid excel because that's how good of a kid he is. He deserves everything that's coming his way." What's coming his way is a multi-million dollar signing bonus. Lewis was the MVP of the Trinity League as a sophomore and again as a junior. Lewis is high-waisted and broad-shouldered and runs like a gazelle; his best run times from home to first base are under four seconds. He's typically a 70 grade runner but can flash an 80 run time when he gets out of the box well. He also shows plus-plus bat speed and plus raw power. Lewis played third base as an underclassman at JSerra and moved over to shortstop after teammate Chase Strumpf graduated. He played center field often on the summer showcase circuit preceding his senior year and showed plus range and flashes of advanced defensive instincts. He has the quick feet and plus arm strength required to play shortstop, though scouts aren't certain that he'll make the necessary adjustments as he continues to fill out and the speed of the game advances. Scouts have noted Lewis's inconsistent spring at the plate, as there is length to his swing that has led to occasional weak contact. The UC Irvine recruit has had a consistently high contact rate, shows an advanced approach and a sound understanding of the strike zone. He makes lots of hard contact and has plus power potential. His pure hitting ability and defense will be the keys to his pro development. Lewis is in consideration to be taken with the first overall pick and is unlikely to slide far in the draft, likely being selected in the top 10.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Southern League #18 prospect in 2019
  Lewis joined Pensacola at the end of July after a power surge in the Florida State League saw him knock four home runs and slug .500 in his final 15 games for Fort Myers. Still, the season was a wildly inconsistent one for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Lewis hit just .236 with a .290 on-base percentage in 127 games on the season, a reflection of the volatile nature of his hit tool. He can meet any fastball, but his pronounced leg kick and hand waggle get him out of whack on offspeed pitches. So while Lewis should be good for 15 homers or more per season, his ability to hit for average is an open question. Lewis has double-plus speed and is an efficient basestealer. Likewise, he is a strong defensive shortstop with confident hands and a terrific arm. He plays with flair, and he rubbed multiple observers the wrong way with confidence that borders on arrogance
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #13 prospect in 2019
  After a strong close to his 2018 season at high Class A Fort Myers, Lewis returned to the level and struggled at the outset of 2019. The biggest question he faces in the long run is whether his complex swing mechanics will allow him to become the type of hitter the Twins sought when they picked him No. 1 overall in 2017. He combines a sizable leg kick with plenty of hand movement at the top of his swing, which can make it hard to get everything sync and in an optimal position to hit. He got on a roll after the Futures Game and was quickly rewarded with a trip to Double-A Pensacola, where he struggled again. Lewis spent his return to Fort Myers learning how to keep his weight back during his leg kick so he doesn’t get out front of pitches, leading to weak contact. Scouts this year saw a player trying to tinker with his swing mechanics from game to game and even at-bat to at-bat. He still has youth on his side, and he hits the ball very hard when he makes contact. He has the athleticism to play shortstop, but the Twins gave him a few reps in center field toward the end of the season as well. Lewis still has plenty of believers, too, although there are also those who have lowered his ceiling to something closer to a second-division regular without further adjustments.
• 
  Ranked Florida State League #1 prospect in 2018
  The Twins made Lewis the first choice in the 2017 draft and then quickly hinted at his potential by promoting him from the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to low Class A Cedar Rapids in his first season as a pro. He was impressive in the Midwest League both last year and upon his return there in the first half of 2018 before hitting his way to the FSL. Scouts like just about everything about Lewis, who has quickly become one of the game's elite prospects. On defense, he has made people believe he can stick at shortstop by showing strong range and reactions with an above-average arm. Even so, some scouts wondered if he might also be a fit in center field. At the plate, Lewis has a little bit of an unorthodox setup, but he gets the job done. One evaluator said that his swing looked long but was actually rather short to the ball. Lewis may have to tweak his approach a little bit to further unlock his offensive potential, but scouts see a player with the much-desired combination of power and speed as he matures. Those qualities will make him an all-star player at his peak.
• 
  Ranked Midwest League #1 prospect in 2018
  The No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft lived up to expectation by showing plus tools across the board. He ranked among the MWL leaders in batting average (.315), stolen bases (22) and doubles (23) at the time of his promotion to the high Class A Florida State League in mid-July, even though he had been slowed by knee tendinitis. Scouts project Lewis to be a potential .300 hitter with plus power and plus speed, which makes him a potential 20-20 threat. Defensively, he should stick at shortstop with enough range, anticipation, hands and actions to be an above-average defender. His arm grades as above-average. Lewis also embraced his role as an on-field leader. As a potential middle-of-the-lineup hitter who can play a premium defensive position, he's one of the best overall prospects in the game.
• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #1 prospect in 2017
  The Twins drafted Lewis with the top overall pick in June, then signed him for $6,725,000. He looked as advertised in his pro debut in the GCL before an August promotion to low Class A Cedar Rapids, where he will likely open the 2018 season. Lewis has an exciting blend of top-shelf tools and instincts for the game. With a high waist and wide shoulders, Lewis has outstanding bat speed and plus raw power. He makes frequent contact with a mature hitting approach, driving the ball with authority to all fields. His sharp eye for the strike-zone should make him a high on-base threat to go with his power, and his plus-plus wheels make him a power-speed threat. There are questions about whether Lewis will stay at shortstop or fits better in center field. Lewis showed plus arm strength before the draft, though in the GCL he didn't have the same zip behind his throws.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #43 prospect in 2023
• Ranked Baseball America's #82 prospect in 2022
• Ranked Baseball America's #29 prospect in 2021
• Ranked Baseball America's #26 prospect in 2020
• Ranked Baseball America's #9 prospect in 2019
• Ranked Baseball America's #24 prospect in 2018

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: The No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, Lewis has already endured numerous peaks and valleys in his career before he has even graduated from prospect status. After establishing himself as a promising hitter with an excellent 2018 season at Class A, Lewis looked lost at the plate in 2019. His batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all dipped by 60-70 points while his strikeout rate soared. The coronavirus pandemic meant he didn't get to play in any real games in 2020, and his 2021 season never got going because he was diagnosed in spring training with a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that required surgery. He returned to action in 2022 and earned a pair of callups to Minnesota. In his first game in center field with the Twins, he re-tore his right ACL while making a catch at the wall. He had surgery to repair this partial tear in June. While multiple ACL tears are rare in baseball, it is more common in football. A study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine showed that NFL players with two ACL injuries in the same knee returned to play with similar recovery rates to players who had one ACL injury, but it did often take them a little longer to return to action.
  
  Scouting Report: For all his injuries and struggles, Lewis should still turn out to be a middle-of-the-lineup force who can hit for average and power while being an asset defensively and on the basepaths. Before his second knee injury, Lewis was looking like everything the Twins had hoped for when they drafted him first overall. He has cleaned up his setup at the plate, which closed some holes in his swing. Most significantly, Lewis turned a big leg lift into a much smaller toe tap. That has allowed him to reduce a tendency to bail out with his lower half, which has improved his ability to stay on breaking pitches on the outer third of the plate. Lewis has excellent trunk rotation speed, which allows him to generate bat speed and power to all fields when he keeps his lower half in sync. His power proved to be a revelation in 2022. His 114 mph max exit velocity ranked in the top 6% of all MLB hitters. With better plate coverage, he has a shot to be an average hitter with plus power. Defensively, Lewis has above-average range at shortstop with a plus arm. He has the tools to be a plus defender at second or third base, above-average in center field and plus in either outfield corner. Lewis was a plus-plus runner before his knee injuries. It's possible he may be a little slower when he returns, but his speed should still be an asset.
  
  The Future: Lewis will likely miss the first few months of 2023 as he rehabs his right knee. When he is ready to go, he should fit onto the Twins' MLB roster as a righthanded hitter with power. In addition to his impressive tools, Lewis' makeup is lauded, and he quickly made a positive impression on his big league teammates. Where he plays in 2023 is somewhat dependent on team needs.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 65. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 60/High
  
  Track Record: The No. 1 pick in the 2017 draft, Lewis has already endured numerous peaks and valleys in his career before he has even graduated from prospect status. After establishing himself as a promising hitter with an excellent 2018 season at Class A, Lewis looked lost at the plate in 2019. His batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage all dipped by 60-70 points while his strikeout rate soared. The coronavirus pandemic meant he didn't get to play in any real games in 2020, and his 2021 season never got going because he was diagnosed in spring training with a completely torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee that required surgery. He returned to action in 2022 and earned a pair of callups to Minnesota. In his first game in center field with the Twins, he re-tore his right ACL while making a catch at the wall. He had surgery to repair this partial tear in June. While multiple ACL tears are rare in baseball, it is more common in football. A study in the Orthopaedic Journal of Sports Medicine showed that NFL players with two ACL injuries in the same knee returned to play with similar recovery rates to players who had one ACL injury, but it did often take them a little longer to return to action.
  
  Scouting Report: For all his injuries and struggles, Lewis should still turn out to be a middle-of-the-lineup force who can hit for average and power while being an asset defensively and on the basepaths. Before his second knee injury, Lewis was looking like everything the Twins had hoped for when they drafted him first overall. He has cleaned up his setup at the plate, which closed some holes in his swing. Most significantly, Lewis turned a big leg lift into a much smaller toe tap. That has allowed him to reduce a tendency to bail out with his lower half, which has improved his ability to stay on breaking pitches on the outer third of the plate. Lewis has excellent trunk rotation speed, which allows him to generate bat speed and power to all fields when he keeps his lower half in sync. His power proved to be a revelation in 2022. His 114 mph max exit velocity ranked in the top 6% of all MLB hitters. With better plate coverage, he has a shot to be an average hitter with plus power. Defensively, Lewis has above-average range at shortstop with a plus arm. He has the tools to be a plus defender at second or third base, above-average in center field and plus in either outfield corner. Lewis was a plus-plus runner before his knee injuries. It's possible he may be a little slower when he returns, but his speed should still be an asset.
  
  The Future: Lewis will likely miss the first few months of 2023 as he rehabs his right knee. When he is ready to go, he should fit onto the Twins' MLB roster as a righthanded hitter with power. In addition to his impressive tools, Lewis' makeup is lauded, and he quickly made a positive impression on his big league teammates. Where he plays in 2023 is somewhat dependent on team needs.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 50. Power: 60. Run: 65. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 60/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Lewis has had a bit of an up-and-down minor league career since going No. 1 overall in the 2017 draft. He hit well and showed developing power in the lower levels of the minors in 2017-18 before struggling with consistency at the plate in 2019 when he made his way to Double-A. After the season in 2019, Lewis took off in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named MVP. He missed the 2021 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.
  
  Scouting Report: If you&#39re just looking at overall upside, it would be hard to take any player in Minnesota&#39s system over Lewis. He has plenty of bat speed, plus raw power, elite range and quickness with 70-grade running ability when healthy. He was also showing progress defensively at shortstop the last time scouts saw him regularly playing—with above-average potential at the game&#39s most valued non-catching position. However, Lewis also comes with plenty of question marks, and missing the last two seasons due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a knee injury have only made him tougher to figure out. Lewis has plenty of moving parts in his swing that have led to inconsistencies, and he&#39s also gotten pull-happy and had trouble covering the outer half of the plate. He&#39s a versatile defender who has also played third, second and center—with plus defensive potential in the outfield.
  
  The Future: Perhaps no player in Minnesota&#39s system could have used a full 2021 season more than Lewis, but he&#39ll get back to action in 2022, where he&#39ll look to have his first full season in the upper minors and continue refining his approach at the plate.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 45. Power: 55. Speed: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Lewis has had a bit of an up-and-down minor league career since going No. 1 overall in the 2017 draft. He hit well and showed developing power in the lower levels of the minors in 2017-18 before struggling with consistency at the plate in 2019 when he made his way to Double-A. After the season in 2019, Lewis took off in the Arizona Fall League, where he was named MVP. He missed the 2021 season with a torn right anterior cruciate ligament.
  
  Scouting Report: If you’re just looking at overall upside, it would be hard to take any player in Minnesota’s system over Lewis. He has plenty of bat speed, plus raw power, elite range and quickness with 70-grade running ability when healthy. He was also showing progress defensively at shortstop the last time scouts saw him regularly playing—with above-average potential at the game’s most valued non-catching position. However, Lewis also comes with plenty of question marks, and missing the last two seasons due to the Covid-19 pandemic and a knee injury have only made him tougher to figure out. Lewis has plenty of moving parts in his swing that have led to inconsistencies, and he’s also gotten pull-happy and had trouble covering the outer half of the plate. He’s a versatile defender who has also played third, second and center—with plus defensive potential in the outfield.
  
  The Future: Perhaps no player in Minnesota’s system could have used a full 2021 season more than Lewis, but he’ll get back to action in 2022, where he’ll look to have his first full season in the upper minors and continue refining his approach at the plate.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins made Lewis the first overall pick in the 2017 draft after a decorated career at national prep power JSerra High in Southern California. Lewis looked the part with a strong first two seasons, but he struggled to hit and with his overall consistency in 2019 at high Class A and Double-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The most athletic and naturally gifted player in the Twins' system, Lewis has impressive raw tools but is still learning how to translate them into in-game skills. He has plenty of bat speed, but there's lots of movement in his swing and he can get pull-happy, which creates issues in his lower half and bat path through the zone. He has plate coverage issues on the outer half, particularly against sliders. Lewis does have plus raw power, but questions about his swing and pitch selection prevent him from tapping into it. Lewis has focused on his defensive work at shortstop, particularly with his throwing. He's shown progress and has the elite range and quickness to become an above-average defender at the position with continued reps and refinement.
  
  THE FUTURE: Lewis' athleticism and potential defensive versatility—he has also played third base, second base and center field—could help the Twins in 2021 if they need him.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins made Lewis the first overall pick in the 2017 draft after a decorated career at national prep power JSerra High in Southern California. Lewis looked the part with a strong first two seasons, but he struggled to hit and with his overall consistency in 2019 at high Class A and Double-A.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: The most athletic and naturally gifted player in the Twins’ system, Lewis has impressive raw tools but is still learning how to translate them into in-game skills. He has plenty of bat speed, but there’s lots of movement in his swing and he can get pull-happy, which creates issues in his lower half and bat path through the zone. He has plate coverage issues on the outer half, particularly against sliders. Lewis does have plus raw power, but questions about his swing and pitch selection prevent him from tapping into it. Lewis has focused on his defensive work at shortstop, particularly with his throwing. He’s shown progress and has the elite range and quickness to become an above-average defender at the position with continued reps and refinement.
  
  THE FUTURE: Lewis’ athleticism and potential defensive versatility—he has also played third base, second base and center field—could help the Twins in 2021 if they need him.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 45. Power: 55. Run: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 55.
  
  TRACK RECORD: The Twins made Lewis the first overall pick in the 2017 draft after a decorated career at national prep power JSerra High in Southern California. Lewis looked the part with a strong first two seasons, but he struggled to hit and with his overall consistency in 2019 at high Class A and Double-A. SCOUTING REPORT: The most athletic and naturally gifted player in the Twins’ system, Lewis has impressive raw tools but is still learning how to translate them into in-game skills. He has plenty of bat speed, but there’s lots of movement in his swing and he can get pull-happy, which creates issues in his lower half and bat path through the zone. He has plate coverage issues on the outer half, particularly against sliders. Lewis does have plus raw power, but questions about his swing and pitch selection prevent him from tapping into it. Lewis has focused on his defensive work at shortstop, particularly with his throwing. He’s shown progress and has the elite range and quickness to become an above-average defender at the position with continued reps and refinement. THE FUTURE: Lewis’ athleticism and potential defensive versatility—he has also played third base, second base and center field—might have allowed him to help the Twins in 2021 if healthy, but he will miss the entire season after fully tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After a decorated high school career at JSerra and multiple successful stints with Team USA, Lewis was the first overall pick in 2017 and signed for $6.725 million that was both a club record and a full $1 million under slot. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in both the Midwest and Florida State leagues in 2018, his first full season, but holes started showing up in his game at high Class A. His day-to-day performance in 2019, when he returned to the FSL, was equal parts baffling and brilliant, but he showed the top tier of his talent at the Futures Game and again in the Arizona Fall League, where he was MVP.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Lewis’ future is going to come down to how well he can hit. Loud mechanics at the plate—a high leg kick, hand hitch and deep weight transfer—open plenty of holes for pitchers to exploit. As a result, he sputtered when he returned to the FSL, where he struck out 22 percent of the time. His hard contact is among the loudest in the game—it just doesn’t come often enough. Lewis’ hands work well, he has plenty of bat speed and he has some adaptability to his swing, but his timing is often off. That leads many to expect he’ll eventually have to tone down his leg kick. His plus power has gotten more impressive. He now draws comparisons with a young George Springer as a plus athlete with power and hit-tool questions. Defensively, Lewis is an explosive athlete who can stick at shortstop because of lateral range, first-step quickness and a strong arm. He struggles with his throws at times when he has time to think and get mechanical. The Twins exposed Lewis to other positions—including second base, third base and center field—in the waning days of the season and in the AFL. He showed the speed and instincts to play center field in the AFL and fared well at the other spots around the infield. His eventual home will partly depend on the Twins’ needs.
  
  THE FUTURE: Lewis faces a likely return to Double-A to start 2020. There, he will work to continue smoothing his hitting mechanics in order to realize his upside. Minnesota didn’t have a viable injury replacement for Byron Buxton in 2019. Lewis might be the club’s best fill-in option in center field or at multiple infield spots by late 2020. SCOUTING GRADES Hit: 45. Power: 60. Run: 60. Field: 55. Arm: 55. BA GRADE 65 Risk: Very High
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: After a decorated high school career at JSerra and multiple successful stints with Team USA, Lewis was the first overall pick in 2017 and signed for $6.725 million that was both a club record and a full $1 million under slot. He ranked as the No. 1 prospect in both the Midwest and Florida State leagues in 2018, his first full season, but holes started showing up in his game at high Class A. His day-to-day performance in 2019, when he returned to the FSL, was equal parts baffling and brilliant, but he showed the top tier of his talent at the Futures Game and again in the Arizona Fall League, where he was MVP.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Lewis' future is going to come down to how well he can hit. Loud mechanics at the plate—a high leg kick, hand hitch and deep weight transfer—open plenty of holes for pitchers to exploit. As a result, he sputtered when he returned to the FSL, where he struck out 22 percent of the time. His hard contact is among the loudest in the game—it just doesn't come often enough. Lewis' hands work well, he has plenty of bat speed and he has some adaptability to his swing, but his timing is often off. That leads many to expect he'll eventually have to tone down his leg kick. His plus power has gotten more impressive. He now draws comparisons with a young George Springer as a plus athlete with power and hit-tool questions. Defensively, Lewis is an explosive athlete who can stick at shortstop because of lateral range, first-step quickness and a strong arm. He struggles with his throws at times when he has time to think and get mechanical. The Twins exposed Lewis to other positions—including second base, third base and center field—in the waning days of the season and in the AFL. He showed the speed and instincts to play center field in the AFL and fared well at the other spots around the infield. His eventual home will partly depend on the Twins' needs.
  
  THE FUTURE: Lewis faces a likely return to Double-A to start 2020. There, he will work to continue smoothing his hitting mechanics in order to realize his upside. Minnesota didn't have a viable injury replacement for Byron Buxton in 2019. Lewis might be the club's best fill-in option in center field or at multiple infield spots by late 2020.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  After a strong close to his 2018 season at high Class A Fort Myers, Lewis returned to the level and struggled at the outset of 2019. The biggest question he faces in the long run is whether his complex swing mechanics will allow him to become the type of hitter the Twins sought when they picked him No. 1 overall in 2017. He combines a sizable leg kick with plenty of hand movement at the top of his swing, which can make it hard to get everything sync and in an optimal position to hit. He got on a roll after the Futures Game and was quickly rewarded with a trip to Double-A Pensacola, where he struggled again. Lewis spent his return to Fort Myers learning how to keep his weight back during his leg kick so he doesn’t get out front of pitches, leading to weak contact. Scouts this year saw a player trying to tinker with his swing mechanics from game to game and even at-bat to at-bat. He still has youth on his side, and he hits the ball very hard when he makes contact. He has the athleticism to play shortstop, but the Twins gave him a few reps in center field toward the end of the season as well. Lewis still has plenty of believers, too, although there are also those who have lowered his ceiling to something closer to a second-division regular without further adjustments.
• December, 2018 Scouting Report
  Lewis joined Pensacola at the end of July after a power surge in the Florida State League saw him knock four home runs and slug .500 in his final 15 games for Fort Myers. Still, the season was a wildly inconsistent one for the No. 1 overall pick in the 2017 draft. Lewis hit just .236 with a .290 on-base percentage in 127 games on the season, a reflection of the volatile nature of his hit tool. He can meet any fastball, but his pronounced leg kick and hand waggle get him out of whack on offspeed pitches. So while Lewis should be good for 15 homers or more per season, his ability to hit for average is an open question. Lewis has double-plus speed and is an efficient basestealer. Likewise, he is a strong defensive shortstop with confident hands and a terrific arm. He plays with flair, and he rubbed multiple observers the wrong way with confidence that borders on arrogance
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Lewis has been everything the Twins hoped for when they picked him with the first pick in the 2017 draft. He made it to high Class A Fort Myers just a month after he turned 19 and is hitting .318/.372/.481 between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers. Knee tendinitis slowed him briefly, but that’s been about the only hiccup so far. He’s shown off his speed (22 steals in 27 attempts) and athleticism and proven to be a solid if unspectacular shortstop.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Armed with the No. 1 overall draft pick in 2017 for just the third time, the Twins surprised many in the industry by passing on college arms such as Brendan McKay and Kyle Wright along with high school phenom Hunter Greene. Instead, they took Lewis, a late-blooming gamer with outstanding makeup and the potential to become a five-tool, franchise player. Signed to a Twins-record draft bonus of $6.725 million, nearly a full million below slot value, Lewis became the first 1-1 selection for the Twins since hometown catcher Joe Mauer in 2001. Scouting Report: Pre-draft concerns about Lewis' hit tool proved unwarranted, and he had no problem making the necessary adjustments for a smooth transition to pro ball in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League. Hitting coordinator Rick Eckstein got him to use his hips and legs better, and that opened up the pull side for Lewis, who homered on a full count in his first pro plate appearance. With a high waist and wide shoulders, he showed excellent plate discipline and an all-fields approach that drew comps to Ian Desmond. Lewis has plus speed and advanced instincts on the bases, where he was caught stealing just three times in 21 attempts. Lewis saw time at shortstop, third base and center field in high school, and he worked hard with the Twins to improve his range at shortstop with better positioning and pre-pitch anticipation. He flashed plus arm strength before the draft but saw that wane under the Florida heat and an increased workload. A separated left shoulder suffered in high school hasn't been an issue so far. Lewis' makeup and work ethic are off the charts, and his demeanor and ability to connect with teammates, fans and media are reminiscent of Carlos Correa or a young Derek Jeter. After a week or so, Ramon Borrego, his GCL manager, was calling for Lewis to skip the Rookie-level Appalachian League and be promoted all the way to low Class A Cedar Rapids. That eventually came in early August. The Future: Lewis figures to return to the Midwest League to start his first full pro season in 2018. If he dominates there the way Byron Buxton did in 2013, a promotion to high Class A Fort Myers could come by midseason. He has given the Twins no reason to doubt his ability to stay at shortstop or their decision to invest the top overall pick in his vast potential.