Bold claim: Royce Lewis is betting on a breakthrough that could redefine his Twins era, and the move to bring in a new outside hitting coach signals the start of a transformative chapter. But here’s where it gets controversial: can a fresh voice truly unlock the missing gear in a player who’s shown flashes but struggled for consistency?
FORT MYERS, Fla. – After two seasons marked by uneven performance and frustration, Royce Lewis has more motivation than anyone in the Twins’ camp to reset his trajectory. The good news for Minnesota is that Lewis isn’t waiting for the stars to align; he’s actively pursuing improvement.
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During the off-season, Lewis sought guidance from an external hitting coach for the first time, choosing Jeremy Isenhower—recommended by Bobby Witt Jr. and Lewis’ former teammate Jorge Polanco—to establish a solid foundation and consistent mechanics.
“I always value my dad’s input,” Lewis said, “but I realized I needed a fresh perspective. He’s juggling a full-time coaching role and is two hours behind me, so by the time I finish a game, he’s likely asleep. It started feeling like a lot. This year, I added a private hitting coach to work alongside [Twins hitting coach Keith Beauregard] and the new staff, and I’m genuinely excited about that.”
Isenhower has been guiding Lewis on multiple facets of his game since their first talks last September. The collaboration has been impactful enough for Lewis to make six trips from his North Texas home to the Houston area for sessions, even staying with former teammate Carlos Correa during those visits.
What matters most is Lewis’ influence on the 2026 Twins. He has shown superstar potential at times, yet slashed to .237/.283/.388 in 2025. Isenhower believes Lewis can reclaim the form he flashed in 2023 and early 2024. He praises Lewis’ bat speed and suggests that simplifying his approach could help him regain peak performance. The core focus of their work is the pre-swing setup: positioning Lewis in the best possible stance before the swing begins.
By stabilizing his stance, Isenhower argues, Lewis can let his natural talent and speed take over. A better starting point should sharpen pitch recognition, decision-making at the plate, and the quality of contact.
“He’s the first hitter I’ve worked with in the cage whose bat actually whistled as he swung,” Isenhower noted.
“With his hand speed and hand-eye coordination, his upside is clear. We need to reduce excessive movement and build a sturdier base—especially in the lower body—without tightening up too much.”
The Twins are fully supportive. More teams appear to accept that players may seek outside help, and Minnesota is aligning its internal staff with the external approach. Beauregard, manager Derek Shelton, and the rest of the organization are prioritizing clear communication and shared goals.
“The key is communication,” Shelton said. “If a player consults with an external coach, we want a heads-up about what’s being discussed so everyone stays aligned. If Royce’s approach leads to three home runs and a win, it doesn’t matter who provided the guidance—as long as we’re all pursuing the same objective. There must be guidelines on both sides.”
Lewis appears to be fully bought in as well. Isenhower notes that some hitters abandon the process when they slump or overreact when they see early success. But his conversations with Lewis reveal a long-term commitment to growth.
“The more I got to know him, the more I saw a driver who’s willing to endure discomfort to become the best,” Isenhower said. “That mindset could be the most encouraging sign for the Twins and for anyone hoping to see Lewis reach his ceiling.”
Lewis isn’t chasing a quick fix. After assessing the need for consistent guidance in 2024 and 2025, he’s pursuing a substantial advance in his career.
“I recognized the need for a steady voice,” he explained. “Athletic talent can take you far, but you need mechanical adjustments and trusted coaches to push you further. And when Bobby Witt Jr. offers you advice, it’s worth listening.”
What this means for the Twins is a calculated bet on a more stable, long-term development path for a player with ceiling-high potential. If Isenhower’s approach resonates and Lewis maintains the commitment, the coming season could reveal a markedly different version of the young star in Minnesota.
