Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis has immediately made an impact on his team since returning from the injured list.
"This is their best player…."
– @markdero7 on @Twins' slugger Royce Lewis pic.twitter.com/OcC7um5iUu
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) June 11, 2024
Royce Lewis Returns From Injury
On June 4, the Twins activated Lewis from the 10-day injured list and he made an appearance that same day against the New York Yankees.
Lewis only made one plate appearance that game, but he made the most of it, launching a solo shot for his second homer of the season.
#MLBbro Royce Lewis with a late Bro Bomb 💣 to extend the lead❗️🔥 https://t.co/FXNLskKLML
— MLBbro.com (@MLBbrodotcom) June 11, 2024
That was his first appearance since March 28. In the three-game series against the Yankees, Lewis appeared in two and homered in each.
During the game on June 4, Lewis honored one of his favorite players.
Royce Lewis Honors His Idol Derek Jeter
“I knew about the respect he earned from, it seemed like, the whole league,” he said. “He was a shortstop and his parents were black and white, like mine. I felt like I was him and I wanted to be like him.”
Before his at-bat, Lewis put his right arm up towards the home plate umpire, just like Jeter used to do during his playing days.
What a special way to honor one of your heroes and Lewis ended up being gifted with a Jeter-model bat after the visiting clubhouse manager saw the footage of his pre-pitch salute to Jeter.
“He told me to take batting practice with it, but I don’t want to break it,’’ Lewis said. “I might try it with some soft-toss, but I’m going to leave it in my house and hope to get it signed.”
There’s no question that Lewis has been one of the hottest hitters in the Twins lineup since making his return. In seven games this season, he is hitting .333 with four home runs, six RBI, and has a .952 slugging percentage. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli knows that Lewis is a talented hitter and can impact his lineup in a good way.
“It’s impressive, but nothing that would shock you at this point. He’s a very dangerous hitter,” he said. “You feel like every swing, something good could happen for your team.”
Minnesota will be in a tight battle throughout the remainder of the season if they want to secure the AL Central title. And if Lewis can continue to stay hot at the plate, he will certainly play a vital role in the Twins success. Last season, he appeared in 58 games and finished with a .309 average, hitting 15 home runs. He also made six appearances in the postseason and hit .227 with four homers and five RBI.
Lewis also became just the third player in MLB history to hit a home run in his first two postseason plate appearances. He does not shy away from the big stage.
There’s no question the Twins are glad to have Lewis back in the lineup and let’s hope our MLBbro can remain healthy throughout the season so he can continue to dominate at the plate.
Recent Comments