Tyson Lewis is a draft 2024 eligible infielder from Yutan, Nebraska that I’ve been especially high on since I got multiple looks at him throughout last year. Lewis is committed to Arkansas but he’s a good example of a cold weather prep hitter who shows potential in his offensive profile that he has a real shot at entering the pro ranks and bypassing his college career.
Lewis has a medium, athletic frame that still has plenty of room for added strength/weight for future years. He also has an athletic gait and controls his body well in movement on both sides of the ball. He’s a SS currently and I have a lot of doubts he stays there long-term, but I’ll get further into that at the end.
Height/Weight: 6’2/195lbs
DOB: 1/10/2006
Stance/Load: | Upright, square, and balanced setup with rhythm present pre-pitch. Maintains quality posture throughout. |
Hands/Path: | Medium rhythmic hand load w/ a high back elbow. Loft present in path while staying in zone for an extended period of time. Above-avg bat speed. High slot-entry. Controls body well, overall repeatable operation at the plate. |
Lower Half: | Medium leg lift trigger, average length stride. Foot lands at 45-degrees. Transitions from linear to rotational phase well. Timing is often inconsistent which hinders at times. |
At present, Lewis shows average raw juice in BP. As the frame continues to mature and add strength, I see it getting to plus in the future. Below are some looks at Lewis throughout a few BP rounds and the other are game swings from the most recent Midwest Scouts Association event from this past summer.
Defensive Notes:
Lewis’ athleticism, lateral mobility, and range would give him a shot at staying at SS long-term, but he has 40 hands and I don’t see those ever being able to provide the necessary consistency that the shortstop position requires at the professional level. I have him with average arm strength at present. I see Lewis as a 50 to 55 defensive 2B in future years and I’m confident the bat will play enough for him to move down the defensive spectrum a bit.
Closing Thoughts:
Lewis enters the 2024 season as probably my top Midwest high school bat and I know a lot of scouts in this region that have had a lot more in-person looks at Lewis that agree. While it’d obviously be ideal for him to be able to stick at SS long-term, you’re betting on the bat with Lewis and if he’s there in the 3rd-4th round, that’s a bet I’d take, and it wouldn’t surprise me if his stock rose even more with a great spring and summer.