Much of the Minnesota Twins’ success in the second half of last season can be attributed to the outstanding play of their three rookie call-ups. While stars Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa spent most of the year banged up, the trio of Royce Lewis, Matt Wallner, and Eddy Julien brought a spark of energy to the team that lifted them to a spot in the American League (AL) Division Series. They were going to be marquee players for the team for the next ten years—or are they?
Twins Welcome Lewis Back
Royce Lewis started off the 2024 season right where he left off from his spectacular 2023 campaign. In his opening at-bat of the season, he hit a solo home run, and Twins fans were salivating about his potential output in a full season of play.
Unfortunately, he suffered a severe right quadriceps strain later in the game while running the bases and missed the next 58 games. This was just another setback for Lewis in an already injury-plagued but productive young career. At the tender age of 24, he has suffered two torn ACLs and a hamstring injury, and he missed the entire 2020 season due to the Coronavirus Pandemic lockout of all minor league games.
He finally returned to the Twins this evening for the opening game of the team’s three-game series against the Yankees in New York City. Minnesota is desperately hoping that Lewis stays healthy for the remainder of the season. But given his past history, it will be white knuckle time for Twins manager Rocco Baldelli until the season’s final out.
Wallner’s Lost Season
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Twins outfielder Matt Wallner couldn’t wait until the 2024 season started. The strapping, rifle-armed, power-hitting budding star was bent on proving that his 2023 campaign was not a hoax. After his call-up in July of last year, Wallner hit the ground running, clouting 11 doubles, smashing 14 home runs, and driving in 41 runs by season’s end. But when this season started, the bottom dropped out of his performance.
He started the 2024 campaign mired in a slump that continued without cessation. He looked lost at the plate and did not at all resemble the player who tore up AL pitching just scant months before. The pronounced slump finally forced the Twins to send Wallner down to the Triple-A St. Paul Saints for retooling.
There are some encouraging signs regarding Wallner’s play in St. Paul however. Since he was demoted, he has hit 9 homers and driven in 30 runs for the Saints. Unfortunately, his batting average still hovers around the Mendoza Line. And now, his path back to the majors is blocked by the hot-hitting Trevor Larnach and the not-so-productive but left-handed-hitting Alex Kirilloff. His return to the Twins is indeterminate at this point.
Julien Disappoints the Twins
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As Minnesota Twins training camp approached, Eddy Julien had one thought in mind: Improve his fielding at second base so that the team would not even consider him for a platoon situation. The team and Julien were certain that his hitting production would take care of itself.
And the result? Spectacular! Julien worked hard and became an agile and effective middle infielder. There was one slight problem, though. He stopped hitting the ball. At the time of his demotion to St. Paul earlier this week, he was carrying a slash line of .309/.367/.676. When it came time to decide whose roster spot Lewis would take when he was reactivated, the choices came down to fellow infielder Jose Miranda and Julien.
The red-hot Miranda sealed the deal in Sunday’s 4-3 win over the Houston Astros when he hit a double, a home run, and drove in two runs. Baldelli had no choice but to send Julien eastbound on I-94.
All three of these talented players still have opportunities to be bright lights for the Minnesota Twins. Especially encouraging is the fact that Royce Lewis launched a dinger in his return to the lineup tonight. There is still plenty of time for Wallner and Julien to resurrect their careers. Word of caution, though. Their path back to the majors is strewn with 100 mph fastballs and wicked breaking sliders.
About the Author
Greg Simbeck is an experienced writer, editor, and content manager who covers a variety of sports for Total Apex Sports. He specializes in MLB coverage. Greg has covered various sports for numerous other publications over the years.
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