The Twins selected prep shortstop Royce Lewis from JSerra Catholic High School in California with the No. 1 pick in the MLB Draft on Monday.
He was named Gatorade Player of the Year in California and his high school coach said he was the best player he’s ever seen.
“Give him a year or two in an organization, or at UCI, and he’s going to turn your mind around about what he is,” High School coach Brett Kay said on Monday. “The ceiling for him is unbelievable.”
Scouting reports believe he’ll add some muscle to his frame, but they see a 40 double, 20 home run kind of guy. His speed is also legit as he can get from home to first in 4.1 seconds.
“Royce was a guy we targeted all spring,” said executive vice president and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey. “And we knew that we he was somebody that was going to be in consideration going back as far last summer, so we got to know him very deeply and he’s a big part in our future and we’re confident in that.”
Minnesota began the day sitting in first place in the AL Central. The last time an MLB team was in first place and had the No. 1 pick on draft day was… the Twins in 2001 when they drafted Joe Mauer.
Twins are 4th team to pick No. 1 while in first place at the time of the pick (1989 Orioles, 1995 Angels, 2001 Twins)
via @EliasSports
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 12, 2017
