For the past 35 years, or so, the Minnesota Twins have failed to establish consistency and output from the left side of their infield. They appear to be close to it as we approach 2024.
Over the years, it has become widely known that the Twins’ shortstop position prior to Carlos Correa created very little value, particularly offensive value. Despite having a terrible 2023 season, Correa still has plenty of time to develop into not just one of the finest shortstops in the game, but the greatest in Minnesota Twins history.
In terms of raw production, third base hasn’t been quite as awful. Even though the Twins have had many productive third basemen, the position is frequently filled with new players every year or every couple of years, so most of the time the hot corner has disappointed fans—Corey Koskie included. By the middle of the previous season, it appeared that Royce Lewis had found a solution to that issue.
Lewis was able to play 58 games for the Twins in 2017 after being healthy at last, totaling 2.4 WAR, a.921 OPS, 15 home runs (four of which were grand slams), and six stolen bases. Lewis is a skilled batter, but he has also converted his shortstop abilities into third base defence, which becomes better the more time he spends there.
Lewis’s stats attracted widespread attention, and he has established himself as one of baseball’s greatest players. Lewis has hit.300 with at least 15 home runs and a 150 OPS+, joining eight other rookies in baseball history, according to Paul Casella of MLB.com. Yordan Álvarez, Yasiel Puig, Mike Trout, Ryan Braun, Albert Pujols, Fernando Tatis Jr., José Abreu, and Mike Piazza were those eight players.
Lewis is followed by Correa, who even in a bad year managed a 1.1-WAR season, but is capable of much more, as evidenced by his 4.4 WAR in his debut season in Minnesota. Lewis’s predicted 3.7 WAR and.820 OPS in 2024 would go well with Correa’s 3.5 WAR and.787 OPS, according to Steamer’s projections.
Naturally, it hasn’t been simple for either player to stay injury-free since joining the Twins. These projections have the two in the mix for one of the greatest left sides of the infield in baseball, assuming they can spend more time on the field than off.
For fans of the Twins, this is exciting news. Even after a disappointing offseason, Minnesota could be ready to witness a generationally great tandem with Correa already signed to a long-term contract and rumours of extension talks surrounding Lewis.
How eager are you for a left side, which is Lewis-Correa? When was the last time you felt this positive about that Twins infield position? Participate in the discussion below!
