In spring training during the 1997 season, Lawton was competing for the fourth outfielder spot on the Twins roster. Lawton made the Twins roster out of spring training. On June 14, while the Twins were playing the Houston Astros at the Astrodome, Lawton left 38 tickets for his family, who were visiting from Gulfport, Mississippi. In his first full season in MLB, Lawton batted .248 with 74 runs scored, 114 hits, 29 doubles, three triples, 14 home runs, 60 RBIs, and seven stolen bases in 142 games played. In the field, Lawton played 67 games in right field, 58 in left field, and 23 in center field. He committed a combined seven errors, and made nine assists and 278 putouts.