JUPITER, FL - On September 20^th, 2023, Ian Lewis was a member of the Jupiter Hammerheads when the team won its first Florida State League Championship in franchise history. At 20 years old in 2023, Lewis finished with 115 games played, smashed 19 doubles and six triples, and stole 33 bases. The Nassau, Bahamas native was also a Marlins Top 30 prospect on MLB Pipeline in 2022 and 2023 as he reached as high as #15 on the prospect list.

Lewis was expected to have a normal, full offseason before coming back for Marlins Spring Training where he most likely was going to break camp with either Jupiter for a short stint or with High-A Beloit. However, that would not be the case as Lewis faced visa issues which kept him out of affiliated baseball for the entire 2024 season.

Now in 2025, Lewis is back in Jupiter as an “older” member of the Hammerheads at just 22 years old, bringing versatility, speed, switch-hitting, and positivity to this Hammerheads roster. He is looking to not only get back on track professionally, but prove he can work his way up the Miami Marlins farm system and show that his mindset and work ethic have not waivered.

Jupiter Hammerheads’ broadcaster Brennan Erlandsen had the chance to catch up with Lewis earlier this week for a dugout conversation to discuss the journey back to full season affiliated baseball in the United States and the goals he wants to accomplish in the 2025 season.

(The following conversation has been edited for clarity and length)

So, Ian, you win a championship in 2023 with the Hammerheads. It seems like it’s going to be a normal offseason coming into 2024 but then 2024 happened. What exactly was it that happened and how did it affect you?

[I] had some visa issues on the end of getting me back over here to play. That led to me missing the entire season actually. And [I was] held in the Dominican Republic training with some of the guys over there like [Joseph] Tailor, Jancory [De La Cruz], guys like that.

Was there a specific plan that the Marlins had to give you because you were missing game action in the states?

Not necessarily. They did their best in making sure I had as many game reps as I did in the practices down there in the Dominican Republic. It’s an amazing facility. I had a gym, food given to me, and I did what I had to do to stay on top of things because I was ready to come back at any point in time last year.

Were you there from Spring Training until what would have been the end of the season?

Mm hmm. As soon as we ran into the visa issues, I headed over to the Dominican [Republic] and started my training to be ready to come back whenever.

Was there something that you did differently to stay not only physically sharp but mentally sharp given the setback?

Of course. Down there in the Dominican Republic, I got really close with my family again. They came to me and took me with open arms during that process to make sure I stayed on track. I also began talking to my therapist again to get me back on track and continue to push me mentally more than physically because it was hard. It was hard being away from the game I love. And being away from the guys, you know, a lot of the guys who I came up with since 2019 aren’t here anymore. And that was a big thing in 2024 watching so many moves happen and so much stuff happen and being stuck in the Dominican Republic. Honestly, mentally, the people who were there for me did an amazing job and I can’t thank them enough including the team.

It doesn’t seem to break you here. I’ve seen you in meet-and-greets and pregame events. You seem like you’re really open with fans, especially kids. Have you always been that way coming up? Have you always been really supportive with fans and the kids?

Of course. Always. I love the kids, man. It’s not just me saying it. I still feel as if I’m a kid every time I step onto the field. So, I want to give them the best experience every time they come to this field with their family to remember that player or remember this field to say ‘I had the best time ever here. I enjoy what that player did for me, and he did not have to do that.’ I find that I keep it very professional most of the time. But I completely forget about that when the kids come in and I just want to have fun with them.

And we love it. Would you say that you bring that social spirit, that kids spirit to the dugout every day? Would you say that you’re the positivity, the life-of-the-party in the dugout?

Yea, I do my best. I do my best to keep the jokes going and keep the energy rolling. And I plan on continuing to be doing that for my teammates as I’m here now.

Shifting back to baseball a little bit, how early on did you find out that you were a switch-hitter? Have you always been that way with both hands and both sides of the plate?

I played down at Freedom Farm when I was about 9 or 10 years old. And I saw Lucius Fox (former seven-year minor league shortstop for various organizations and Bahamas native) doing it. And I was like ‘hey, I maybe can pull that off.’ And as more time went on, learned not many people do it. And I was like ‘it’s cool,’ so I’ll make sure I’m good at it.

Have you also always been a versatile “Swiss Army Knife” on the field playing infield and outfield wherever the coaches or anyone needed you?

I’ve mainly been more versatile in the infield. But this year I picked up outfield. I want to give this organization an opportunity to have me anywhere on that field. I want to help in any form and shape whenever possible and show that I put in some serious work not just to be ready to come back and play after missing a year but to come back and help in any aspect of the game.

Do any of the younger players lean on you for your perspective with not only what you have been through but the fact that you’ve been in the Marlins organization for a little bit longer than they have?

They ask their questions, and I do my best to give them my honest answer and tell them what I learn from my past experiences here. And to continue pushing them in the right direction and to not be in certain situations that I wish I could avoid myself.

What are some things that you’ve seen over the course of the years, as the Marlins have made a lot of changes over the years, and how has that directly impacted you on the field? What are some things that have been brought also that you see as a huge positive to the organization?

A huge positive I would say is we’re more well-connected not just in the low-A level but at every level. We take time and take pride in enjoying each other’s time and getting to know the players off the field so when we come to the field it’s more of a team game and a fun experience with the guys. We make our practices more fun and more interactive with the boys we have in the dugout. The point system we have going on, [there are] just so many things bringing us together but also pushing us to have more competitive fun. In the past, we didn’t have much of that, so seeing it come around has helped us tremendously with Spring Training and coming into the season and it’s going to continue to throw us in the right direction.

This is my last question for you, Ian. You’re back on the field. You’re with Jupiter. And again, you got that positivity always coming out of you. What are some personal goals that you would love to see yourself accomplishing by the end of this season and look back on and be glad you achieved it?

I want to push my youngins to get another ring. I’d love to be a part of coming back and enter into another season winning. And I want to just prove to the people that I put in the work. Like I said earlier, I work my tail off to make sure I come in here to still be able to compete and show that I’m ready for this and I’m ready to continue this part of my career. I would say, a personal goal of mine, I had 30 [stolen bases in 2023] and I want 50 this year. And that’s just a little tease of where my mind is in helping this team and I plan to push everything possible.

Thank you, Ian! This has been awesome. Thanks for taking time to sit down with me in your busy day.

Thank you so much!

As of Friday, May 16th at the time of this article being published, Lewis has a .384 on-base percentage with two home runs, 10 RBIs, five stolen bases, three doubles, and 17 runs scored in 19 games while playing second base, left field, center field, and designated hitter. After missing the playoffs in 2024, the Jupiter Hammerheads currently sit in third place in the Florida State League East Division as they look to secure a playoff berth with either a first or second half division title.

Come see Ian Lewis and the Jupiter Hammerheads all season long at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium by purchasing your individual tickets here. All Hammerheads home games can be seen on MiLB.TV and Bally Sports Live as well as listen live to on the Jupiter Hammerheads Audio Stream.

About Jupiter Stadium, LTD:

Opening in 1998, the 110-acre complex/stadium is specially designed to house two Major League and two Minor League Baseball Teams. The stadium is home to the Miami Marlins and the St. Louis Cardinals for Spring Training. The Florida State League’s Jupiter Hammerheads (Class A Affiliate of the Miami Marlins) and Palm Beach Cardinals (Class A Affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals) make their home at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium from April through September. This year-round facility can accommodate the smallest birthday party to the largest corporate outing, while never forgetting that each and every fan is our most important product.