The Minnesota Twins (56-45) are holding firm, refusing to give up their spot in the American League Wild Card standings. While teams fluctuate all around Rocco Baldelli's crew, and injuries weaken the roster from within, Minnesota clings to a playoff position. How long can it keep the challengers at bay, though?
Trouble always seems to be on the horizon for the Twins, as they perpetually battle injury concerns to their top players. Fans have their fingers crossed for nearly the entire MLB campaign. That is no way to live. Fortunately, the latest news should bring them great joy while simultaneously giving the club a crucial spark.
Royce Lewis has been activated off the injured list and is available for Friday's road game versus the Detroit Tigers, per MLB Network's Jon Morosi. The slugging sensation, who has blasted 10 home runs in just 24 games this season, has missed the last three weeks-plus with an abductor strain. He continues to be far too familiar with the IL.
Since making his big league debut in May of 2022, the former No. 1 overall pick has stunningly played in only 94 games. When in the lineup, however, fans can usually expect Lewis to deliver. He has made the most of his small sample size, raising his profile with incredible postseason feats and superb production (career .303 batting average, .584 slugging percentage and 945 OPS).
This young third baseman is essentially a modern-day myth. He is capable of extraordinary things, but because he is rarely seen, it is easy to be skeptical about his potential. Make no mistake, though. Royce Lewis is the big-time basher the Twins need to be a true force in the AL.
Twins could have a scarier ceiling than people think
The stress levels will remain high in Minneapolis going forward. That is what decades of October heartbreak does to a fan base. But following last year's breakthrough, there is reason for people to have more hope than they have had in a long while. Lewis is a huge reason for this mood change, despite his spotty attendance record.
With the 25-year-old missing most of the season to this point, and Carlos Correa, Byron Buxton and Jose Miranda all playing less than 80 games, Rocco Baldelli is undoubtedly worthy of Manager of the Year consideration. Just imagine what this Twins team can do if those guys are all healthy for an extended period of time. Admittedly, though, that is a mammoth-sized “if.”
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