MINNESOTA TWINS STAR ROYCE LEWIS RESPONDS TO DEMOTION WITH POWER SURGE IN TRIPLE-A
The 2026 MLB season has been filled with frustration and disappointment for Royce Lewis, but the former No. 1 overall pick may finally be showing signs of life again.
After months of struggles at the major league level, the Minnesota Twins officially optioned Lewis to Triple-A St. Paul earlier this week in what many viewed as one of the organization’s toughest decisions of the season.
At the time of his demotion, Lewis had posted a brutal .163/.261/.279 slash line with a disappointing 55 wRC+ across 119 plate appearances in the majors. For a player once viewed as one of baseball’s brightest young stars, the numbers represented a shocking fall.
The struggles became even more painful because of the expectations surrounding Lewis.
Ever since being selected first overall in the 2017 MLB Draft, Lewis has carried the weight of superstar projections. Injuries, setbacks, and inconsistency have repeatedly interrupted his development, but flashes of brilliance continued giving Twins fans hope that a breakout season was still possible.
Instead, 2026 turned into a nightmare.
Fans grew increasingly frustrated as Lewis struggled to produce offensively, and criticism intensified after comments he made following the demotion circulated online through an article published by The Minnesota Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale.
But while social media criticism exploded, Lewis quietly responded in the best possible way: by dominating on the field.
Since arriving at Triple-A St. Paul, Lewis has looked completely different at the plate.
Through his first three games with the Saints, Lewis went 4-for-13 with three home runs, four RBI, and a walk, immediately reminding everyone why scouts once considered him one of baseball’s most gifted prospects.
The power display instantly grabbed attention across Twins media and fan circles.
In fact, Lewis has now homered in four of his last five games played in a St. Paul Saints uniform dating back to his rehab assignment earlier this season.
The Saints’ social media accounts quickly amplified the moment, posting clips of Lewis launching towering home runs to straightaway center field while fans reacted with excitement and cautious optimism.
While Triple-A success does not automatically guarantee a major league turnaround, the early results are unquestionably encouraging for Minnesota.
More importantly, Lewis appears to be playing with renewed confidence and urgency.
The question now becomes: what happens next?
The Twins’ recent roster decisions may provide clues about the organization’s long-term plans.
Following Lewis’ demotion, Minnesota shifted Brooks Lee from shortstop to third base — Lewis’ primary defensive position at the major league level. Around the league, many analysts interpreted the move as preparation for the eventual arrival of top shortstop prospect Kaelen Culpepper.
Culpepper has been outstanding for Triple-A St. Paul this season, slashing .247/.349/.466 with 10 home runs and 33 RBI across 44 games while posting a solid 108 wRC+.
His emergence creates a complicated situation for the Twins.
If Culpepper earns a promotion and Brooks Lee remains at third base, Lewis could find himself without a clear everyday role in Minnesota’s infield.
Because of that, some observers believe the Twins may eventually experiment with Lewis at first base in an effort to keep his bat in the lineup if he successfully rebuilds his confidence and production.
Still, despite the frustration surrounding his recent struggles, many around baseball strongly believe the Twins should not even consider giving up on Lewis yet.
Trading or moving on from him now would almost certainly mean selling at the absolute lowest point of his value.
And the talent is still undeniable.
It was not long ago that Lewis looked like one of the most dynamic young hitters in baseball. During his breakout 2023 campaign, he slashed .309/.372/.548 with a dominant 152 wRC+ while hitting 15 home runs and driving in 52 RBI over only 58 games.
That version of Royce Lewis looked like a future superstar.
The challenge for Minnesota is determining whether that player can still consistently exist at the major league level.
At just 26 years old, Lewis still has time to reset his career.
The best scenario for the Twins may be allowing him to remain in Triple-A for an extended stretch while rebuilding confidence, refining his swing, and rediscovering offensive rhythm without the pressure of major league expectations.
If he continues producing for the Saints over the next month or two, Minnesota could eventually recall him with a completely refreshed mindset.
But there is also growing pressure attached to every at-bat.
Because if Lewis begins struggling again — either in Triple-A or after a future MLB return — the organization may eventually face difficult long-term decisions regarding his future.
For now, however, the focus remains on rebuilding.
And based on his explosive first few games in St. Paul, Royce Lewis appears determined to prove his MLB story is far from over.
Tonight, Lewis is expected to bat second and start at shortstop for the Saints during their series finale against the Omaha Storm Chasers at CHS Field.
For Twins fans hoping to see signs of a comeback, all eyes will once again be on one of baseball’s most talented — and most fascinating — young players.
