Slumps are something that every major league veteran has endured during their career. Ballplayers don’t love it but as professional athletes they know how to overcome it. Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton is looking to rise to the challenge. A Georgia native, playing in his 10th big league season, Buxton has overcome some injuries but has been a factor in the lineup ever since he became a professional.
Buxton was selected in the first round (2nd overall) by the Twins in the 2012 Major League draft. His ascension to the Majors was steady in winning the Midwest League Most Valuable Player Award in 2013 and despite missing time with a concussion and sprained left wrist in 2014 was named to the Arizona Fall League all prospect team. Making his major league debut on June 14, 2015, he began to show why he was considered one of the top prospects in the game with various milestones including a three-homerun game, an inside the park homer, and receiving a Gold Glove in 2017.
Something that isn’t talked about much is that Buxton was successful in 33 consecutive stolen-base attempts that spanned from 2018 until April 22, 2019. That mark is a Twins team record and his speed is a big reason why he has only been caught stealing 10 times in his big league career and not at all since 2021.
Buxton is a big part of the Twins success and the 30 year-old now sees time in the designated hitter role as well. Defense in the outfield has always been special to him however, “it gives me the opportunity to still go out there and contribute to the team,” he told MLB network in a recent interview.
As a busy major leaguer and family man, Buxton still finds time to contribute to the fans that support him and his team. He’s a previous winner of the Carl R Pohlad award given by the Minnesota Twins for community service. Aside from having a brother in the Navy, Buxton started Buxton’s Battalion, which gives tickets to military members on Friday home games. Several members of the Minnesota national guard also get to play catch pregame with Buxton before certain home games.
On a road trip this past week in Baltimore the autographed ball that he signed for an eight year-old boy was stolen. When he heard about it, he told the thief on Twitter, “Hope to see you one day or meet you at some point! We will make it right. I gotcha!” True to his word another signed baseball, a pair of batting gloves, and a bat were delivered to the youngster the next day.
He doesn’t take this game for granted at all. “To have this many years in the league is a milestone I didn’t think I’d get to in life, it’s something I cherish a lot,” Buxton reflected on his career during an interview with MLB network. His batting average is going to increase, his defense is spectacular, and he rarely grounds into double plays. Buxton still has a while to go as a big leaguer.
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