Royce Lewis May 16, 2022; Oakland, California, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Royce Lewis (23) runs during the third inning against the Oakland Athletics at RingCentral Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-USA TODAY Sports

Selected with the first overall pick in the 2017 MLB Draft, Minnesota Twins shortstop Royce Lewis has endured a frustrating career to this point, experiencing plenty of starts and stops along his longer-than-expected journey to the big leagues. Following lost seasons in 2020 (COVID) and 2021 (he tore his ACL in spring training), the former top prospect finally debuted in 2022, only to retear his ACL 12 games later.

After a grueling rehab, Lewis returned to the Twins’ lineup on May 29th, making an immediate impact by homering in two of his first three games. Unfortunately, his next setback was waiting for him just around the corner, taking a brutal spill following his collision with Cleveland Guardians first baseman Gabriel Arias Sunday at Target Field. Trying to beat out a grounder for an infield hit, Lewis couldn’t put on the brakes, flipping on his head as Arias gloved the final out of the eighth inning. Lewis was tended to by trainers, eventually walking off on his own power.

Addressing the media after a 2-1 defeat in their series finale, Twins manager Rocco Baldelli insisted Lewis was merely “shaken up,” with no signs of anything that could be considered a long-term injury. Given how awkward his landing looked, it’s a miracle Lewis escaped his fall relatively unscathed, somehow avoiding a concussion. Royce Lewis will have Monday’s off day to recuperate, which happens to be his 24th birthday.

[Do-Hyoung Park]

About Jesse Pantuosco

Jesse Pantuosco joined Awful Announcing as a contributing writer in May 2023. He’s also written for Audacy and NBC Sports. A graduate of Syracuse’s S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications with a master’s degree in creative writing from Fairfield University, Pantuosco has won three Fantasy Sports Writers Association Awards. He lives in West Hartford, Connecticut and never misses a Red Sox, Celtics or Patriots game.