Looking for a 5‑tool prospect, rostered in just 1% of Fantrax leagues, who might be on the rise? I got one for you…
The Yankees’ used their 2024 13th-round slot on a young mid-major (?) college bat from Queens (NC). Lewis, an unheralded prep, had himself a 55-game, 20/20 send-off season with Queens:
And pro results are piling up, roughly halfway through his first season. The last month or so, while also dealing with some minor injuries, he’s been on one: (All video shared here is from this stretch.)
Drawing from the archives, Lewis impresses in all five areas, with highbrow athleticism, strength, and size attributes starting to look housed in a baseball player. Lewis isn’t a technique poster child, per se, but his actions at the plate are functioning. The headline tool is power. Here are his hardest hit flyballs from his A‑ball Savant sample:
And here are his 6 home runs from his recent hot stretch. Turn the volume on to get some nuggets from the booth, including his hardest hit ball of the season:
Defense, arm, and speed tools…have a look for yourself:
Lewis moves well in the outfield and, for the most part, exudes good jumps off the bat. I don’t know how plus the arm may or may not be, but it isn’t a deficiency. Lewis has logged 10 OFAs on the year. And base stealing seems a part of the package. He probably won’t ever go crazy stealing bags, but it’s a feature of his game.
The plate skills are going to be the biggest question. But there’s lots to like. Here’s some eye data:
Something you don’t get a sense of there is his ball/strike recognition. Over his 2025 Tampa run, he swung at 15.5% of pitches in the Savant sample’s chase/waste zones:
15.5% is pretty impressive. Paired with his power, you don’t hate that. Here’s some pitch-type Tampa Savant data:
Lewis looks like a hit it out in front approach, which makes a lot of sense for him. Opposite field hits feel more like being late than an approach. You saw a lot of GB singles in our sample. The GB rate is fine over his season, but when you throw in his ability to run and hit those ground balls as hard as he does, that rate scoots over to feature:
B‑siding season starts to get juicy this time of year. Lewis feels like a muddy winner. I think we’re hard pressed to find as enticing a 5‑tool play at 1% as Lewis right now. A potential play for all league types. 114 mph HRs, gunning runners out at home, covering a lot of CF turf, swiping bags, walking a decent 9%, striking out 23%, breaking up no-hitters, making good on the booths’ called shots, and potentially coming into his own. Lots to like. In some ways, this feels like the 2025 version of the 2024 Bo Davidson dynasty play. Not similar in player, but similar in lack of popularity paired with a skill set worthy of a play. If you’ve got some DSL box score hopeful, why not expedite the whole thing and nab Lewis?? Perhaps a bit of technician gets coached into him?? Nothing wrong with good, getting better.