The 18-year-old Lewis played both shortstop and outfield in high school. At 6-foot-1 and 185 pounds, he hit .377 with four homers and 25 stolen bases this season, establishing himself as a premier prospect with excellent speed and a solid bat.
But the Twins classified him as a shortstop when Manfred made the announcement at MLB Network studios.
“My body just went numb,” Lewis said during an interview with MLB Network. “It was an unbelievable feeling.”
Falvey said Minnesota’s choice came down to the waning minutes, and the decision to pass on Greene was “really tough.”
“We felt Royce separated himself from those other guys just a bit, and we feel like he’s somebody that we’ll build around for the future,” Falvey said.
Other things to know about the MLB draft:
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QUESTION MARK
Washington took left-hander Seth Romero at No. 25, even though he was dismissed from the University of Houston’s baseball program last month for repeated violations of school and athletic department policies. His mid-90s (mph) fastball, biting slider and easy delivery kept the Nationals interested. “We expect him to conduct himself with maturity and be a professional and be accountable for his actions,” general manager Mike Rizzo said.
WAITING ROOM
Three players were picked high despite elbow injuries that could slow their progress. UC Irvine second baseman Keston Hiura went ninth to Milwaukee even though he was limited to DH duties this season and is expected to have surgery once he signs. The Yankees grabbed South Carolina right-hander Clarke Schmidt at No. 16 after he had Tommy John surgery this spring. And the Astros tabbed Florida prep prospect Joe Perez as a third baseman with the 53rd pick. Perez, also a pitcher in high school, plans to have Tommy John surgery soon.
FAMILY TIES
Arizona high school third baseman Jacob Gonzalez, the son of former Diamondbacks slugger Luis Gonzalez, went 58th overall to San Francisco. … North Carolina State shortstop Joseph Dunand, nephew of Alex Rodriguez, was selected as a third baseman by the Marlins at No. 51. … New Mexico high school lefty Trevor Rogers got chosen 13th by Miami. He is the cousin of former Marlins outfielder Cody Ross. … Wake Forest first baseman Gavin Sheets, son of former Orioles outfielder Larry Sheets, was picked 49th by the Chicago White Sox. … Wisconsin-Milwaukee catcher Daulton Varsho, son of ex-big league outfielder Gary Varsho, went No. 68 to Arizona.
TEAMMATES AND TRENDS
College programs Vanderbilt, Virginia and North Carolina each had two players chosen in the first round, marking the 15th time in 16 years at least one pair of teammates (college or high school) was selected in the top round. … There were 18 college players picked in the first round, 12 high schoolers. … The opening round included 15 pitchers (nine right-handers), six outfielders, four first basemen, three shortstops, one second baseman and one third baseman. No catchers were chosen in the initial round for the first time since 2002. … It was the third time in the past 30 years that black players were chosen with the first two picks, and the first time since 1992 that three black players went in the top 10, according to MLB.
OFF THE BOARD
Alabama high school outfielder Bubba Thompson was the last of the four players at the draft to be selected, going to Texas with the 26th pick.
ON DECK
The draft continues with rounds 3-10 on Tuesday via conference calls with teams, and concludes Wednesday with rounds 11-40