Lewis embracing challenge at third base, adding versatility 

This story was excerpted from Mark Sheldon’s Reds Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.

CINCINNATI – When selected by the Reds in the second round out of high school during the 2024 Draft, Tyson Lewis was exclusively a shortstop. It was also the only position Lewis played during his first pro season in 2025.

Then Lewis was introduced to third base during fall instructional league. At Spring Training, he played both shortstop and third base – while in Minor League games, and when he was brought over for some big league games.

"It's similar to how we’ve added a second position with other position players in the system," Reds player development director Jeremy Farrell said.

Lewis, who is ranked by MLB Pipeline as the organization's No. 3 prospect, liked getting the opportunity at a new spot and worked hard to get used to playing third base.

“It’s for sure different," Lewis told MLB.com before last month's Spring Breakout game. "I’ve been playing shortstop kind of my whole life, really. But I love it. I love the challenge. It’s been fun working with the coaching staff this spring, and learning the ins and outs of playing the position. I’m adding that to the tool belt a little bit, being a utility guy, able to play around the field. It’s great.”

So far this season with Single-A Daytona, Lewis has played four games at shortstop and five at third base.

Lewis, 20, understands the importance of showing versatility to the organization.

“If you can play multiple positions, you get up to the big leagues faster. That’s kind of all that really matters," he said.

If he reaches that objective, Lewis would be only the second position player from Nebraska to get drafted and signed out of high school and reach the big leagues. The previous player was Jakson Reetz, a Nationals third-round pick in 2014.

A left-handed hitter who showed frequent high exit velocity with his contact last season, Lewis slashed .311/.376/.486 with nine home runs, 54 RBIs and 27 stolen bases over a combined 81 games with the short-season ACL Reds and Daytona.

“I learned a lot," Lewis said. "Professional baseball is a lot of fun but I think the biggest thing is just the grind of the season, how long it is, how many games you play. I learned a lot about what my body needs and what my body takes to play every single day. It was a learning curve for sure. I’m really, really excited for this full season of getting to play with an affiliate.”

In ten games with Daytona this season, Lewis is slashing .214/.267/.357 with one homer and five RBIs.

"Offensively, he continues to refine his approach - staying aggressive and learning when to look to do damage," Farrell said.