Minnesota Twins' top prospect Royce Lewis is ready for the baseball season to get started after a few tough seasons kept him off the diamond.
Lewis joined News Talk 830 WCCO from Minnesota Twins spring training in Florida, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming season and finally getting back to normal.
When looking at the past few years of Lewis' life in baseball, he described it as "non-existent" after his first season was all but canceled due to COVID-19, and last season he spent recovering from injury.
"I keep telling people I feel like I've just been a powerlifter. I've been lifting and rehabbing and getting ready," Lewis said. "All that being said, all the hard work has definitely been worth it. I'm feeling great and amped up for the season to get going."
In February 2021, Lewis tore his ACL, forcing him to miss the entire season, and while he wasn't able to get reps in on the field during last season, he did make sure to take advantage of the time he had, going over film and watching games.
Lewis said that before the injury, he felt big-league ready physically, but he still wanted to "learn as much on the IQ side" as he could.
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Now that he has recovered from his injury, which he said was only a hurdle, Lewis thinks he is ready to hit the ground running again.
"I've been taking advantage of all the resources I have. The Twins have been helping me out," Lewis said. "It's just been very dominating, this process. But I couldn't be more happy with where I'm at. I have no hindrance when I'm swinging, when I'm fielding, or when I'm throwing.
"[The injury] doesn't affect my running. I have gotten faster, I feel like. I've worked on some muscles I never used to have. I never used to have any calves, and when I came home, my family said, "Oh! I see you have some calves now.'"
After a month's long MLB lockout, players are just getting back into the swing of things, and Lewis shared that before things start to ramp up to full speed, everyone is preparing with physicals and tests with medical staff.
He also said that he is making sure to take the time he needs before and after action to stay healthy.
Once all the tests are run and the season kicks off, Lewis shared that he is excited to get his opportunity and finally play at Target Field.
"It's a dream for anyone playing ball to make it and take advantage of that opportunity," Lewis said. "So I'm just waiting for that chance whenever it comes, and I know I'll be ready because I've put in all the work for it."
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