Read my first MLB Draft feature story on talented prep shortstop Royce Lewis here.
Royce Lewis is a senior shortstop at JSerra Catholic High School in California and in less than a month, his life could change significantly. Regarded as the fifth-best prospect in June’s MLB First-Year Player Draft by MLB.com, Lewis will likely hear his name called early in the first-round of the draft.
Despite being ranked as the top prep position player in this year’s MLB Draft class, Lewis has not got caught up in the draft attention.
Lewis also doesn’t have any pre-draft workouts scheduled with any major league teams yet, he said.
“I’m just focused on this season,” Lewis said. “Just focused on playing shortstop, hitting and helping my team win this season.”
Prior to his senior season, Lewis played mostly third base due to necessity. JSerra Athletic High School had UCLA commit Chase Strumpf occupying shortstop, until he graduated in 2016. With shortstop open, Lewis slid over to his natural position this season.
Known for his blazing speed, scouts wonder if Lewis is best served in the outfield. However, Lewis is confident he can stick at shortstop in pro baseball.
“I think I’ve proved to a lot of people that I can stay at shortstop once I was given the chance to play there a lot on an everyday basis,” said Lewis about his performance this season.
A 6-foot-1, 185-pound right-handed hitter, Lewis is a contact hitter with a solid approach at the plate. He isn’t a big time home run hitter, but should add more power as he matures. An impressive athlete, Lewis also has above-average speed that makes him dangerous on both sides of the ball.
Even with the draft less than a month away, Lewis’ only focus is leading his high school team deep into the state tournament.
“I want to go out with a bang,” said Lewis, who earned Trinity League MVP this season. “I want to have a lot of fun. I’m going to get this whole team and we are going rally together.”
Find more MLB Draft coverage here.
