Royce Lewis: A Powerhouse Emerging from Injury

Forget Aaron Judge for a moment. There’s a new name rising in the world of home runs, and it’s Royce Lewis. While Judge boasts an impressive 11.55 career at-bats per homerun, Lewis is putting together a season unlike any other.

Despite battling injuries throughout his young career, Lewis is currently on a tear. With only 23 hits, he’s already launched 10 home runs. This translates to a remarkable efficiency – 14 of his 23 hits have driven in runs, and 10 of those RBIs came courtesy of the long ball.

Let’s consider the average baseball player who hits between 130-165 hits in a season. Projecting Lewis’ pace over a full 162 games, he could potentially end up with a staggering 90 home runs and 207 hits. However, the most intriguing aspect is how much of his production comes from the long ball. Nearly 75% of his RBIs would be due to home runs,highlighting his ability to hit for power.

This isn’t just a hot streak, either. Lewis has shown flashes of brilliance even with his injury history. Last year, despite playing only 58 games, he smashed 15 home runs and drove in 52 runs. His OPS+ of 152 and 1.4 WAR in such a limited sample size are remarkable.

But what truly sets Lewis apart is his performance under pressure. With bases loaded, he’s a nightmare for pitchers. He boasts a jaw-dropping stat line of .583/.615/1.833, with 5 grand slams and 24 RBIs in just 12 at-bats.

While maintaining these numbers for a full season might be unrealistic, the sheer potential is undeniable. Lewis’ ability to overcome injuries and perform at such a high level is a testament to his talent and work ethic. It’s time to start recognizing this young star. He’s a threat to break records and become a household name in baseball, especially if he can stay healthy for a full season.