Royce Lewis and Austin Martin met as 14-year-olds playing for a Team USA 15U team in Mazatlan, Mexico. Lewis is from Southern California; Martin grew up in Jacksonville, Fla. They became fast friends. “I met him for the first time there, and we roomed for two weeks,” said Lewis. “He saw me crushing PB&Js and stuff. We had a good time, man.”
However, their manager, Chan Brown, buried them on the bench behind their superstar teammates. Hunter Greene, who went 2nd overall behind Lewis in 2017, was on that team. So were Patrick Bailey and Shane Baz.
“He’s a great coach,” says Lewis. “It’s a lot harder when you’re 14, you know? There’s a few examples of USA guys, like Spencer Torkelson didn’t make the team. He was the first overall pick (in 2020)…. Jordan Adell didn’t make the team, top-10 pick (in 2017). So that’s just a lesson for kids out there all the time: If you’re not making a team, it doesn’t matter. The big leagues will find you.”
The Minnesota Twins took Lewis first overall in 2017, citing an “it factor” that became evident immediately when he debuted in 2022. The Toronto Blue Jays felt they got a steal when they took Martin fifth overall out of Vanderbilt in 2020. “We were a little surprised” Martin was available, Toronto’s scouting director Shane Farrell admitted. “We were ecstatic to have the chance to pick Austin.”
In 2021, Keith Law ranked Martin as the No. 14 prospect in baseball and had him as Toronto’s second-best prospect.
The best prospect in the 2020 draft class slipped to the Blue Jays, who picked fifth and were probably delighted to have a player with his kind of potential get to their selection. Martin has exceptional hand-eye coordination and plus-plus bat speed.… He’s probably best suited to third base, but the Jays intend to try him out at shortstop — which he has the athleticism and foot speed to handle — with third, second, or even center field all possibilities.
In July 2021, the Blue Jays traded Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson to Minnesota for José Berríos. Lewis texted Martin immediately. Three years later, Martin debuted in Kansas City on March 30 in place of Lewis, who injured his quad in the season opener. Their lockers were next to one another in the visitor’s locker room: Martin’s No. 82 next to Lewis’ No. 23.
“I saw him yesterday when I got in and obviously asked him how he was doing, how he was feeling,” said Martin. “Said that he was feeling a lot better, so that’s obviously great news. It’s cool. We’ve been friends since we were 14, 15 years old. We roomed together whenever we played for USA, so it’s cool to be in a big league clubhouse with him being my cubby-mate.”
The Twins likely would have called up Brooks Lee, who they took 8th overall in 2022, to replace Lewis. However, Lee is day-to-day with back spasms, and Martin filled multiple roster holes. He may play third most naturally, but Martin can back up Byron Buxton in center and pinch run. “[Martin is] an easily used player,” said Baldelli. “You can do a number of things. There’s always a situation for him.”
“He’s a great kid. I’m so excited,” said Lewis. “I don’t think he’s taking my spot; he’s well-deserved up here. I’m very glad he got an opportunity. If it had to be me going down for him, then I think it’s worth it, absolutely. He’s going to be a great player. He won’t be getting sent down anytime soon.”
Martin says he doesn’t care what position he plays, and the coaching staff has told him to be prepared to play all over the field and pinch run. They have also used him in the lineup to give Buxton a DH day. “I’m comfortable on a baseball field,” Martin said. “Doesn’t matter what glove I have on my hand, what position I’m at. As long as I’m playing baseball, I’m fine.”
Lewis says Martin is the same person he was when they were 14. “Chill, laid-back, wear whatever number you put on the jersey,” he said. “Ready to just go ball out for you, give you whatever he’s got.”
Martin offers a similar sentiment about Lewis. “Super energetic, super positive, always joking,” he said. “He’s literally the same person today as he was then.”
At age 14, they developed a mentality where they would play anywhere to get on the field, and it’s helped them in the big leagues. Martin doesn’t have a defined role with the Twins yet, and Lewis has had to move from shortstop to third base to accommodate Carlos Correa. They had to adapt to get playing time with Team USA, and it became a valuable lesson.
“I joke with him, man, him and I were on the USA team, and for some reason, the coach didn’t believe in us or something because he put us on the bench,” said Lewis. “He told us straight-up, ‘Yeah, you guys aren’t going to be playing unless something happens.’ Some guys struggled out of the gate, we were given a cool opportunity, and he didn’t take us out of the lineup after we got that opportunity. So that’s why I trust in Austin fully.”
Lewis doesn’t harbor any resentment toward his USA coaches. He had superstar teammates, built a close bond with Martin, and they learned to adjust to their situation. They have continued to as professionals. Lewis has had two ACL tears and injured his quadriceps on opening day this year, but he has remained positive. Martin’s first team traded him. He dealt with injuries in the minors, and he doesn’t know how long he’ll stay with the Twins. But every team needs Lewis’ star power and Martin’s versatility.
They’re like kids again, only they live in separate homes and share a major-league clubhouse. Lewis and Martin also haven’t had an Uncrustable in a while. “Not anymore,” said Lewis. “I did in the minors. But now, we’re blessed to have some Qdoba or something nice.” Such are the perks of the major leagues finding you.
