“Rolls Royce” Lewis is off to the greatest start at the plate in the 123-year history of the Minnesota Twins franchise. Since returning from injury two weeks ago, he has been the best hitter in the Majors, posting a .429/.529/1.000 slash line with five home runs and seven RBI over his last seven games to claim the top spot on Week 12 of our #HighFive list.
1. “Rolls” Royce Lewis
It is a tragedy the 2017 first overall pick has only suited up in a Twins uniform for 85 games since debuting in 2022 thanks to a handful of injuries. Similar to their superstar Byron Buxton, who also has had trouble staying on the field, Lewis is a five-tool MVP candidate every time he steps out of the dugout; the only difference is Lewis has a higher ceiling.
Lewis hit the 26th home run of his career Wednesday night, which is the most through the first 85 games in Twins history and eight more than the next closest player. “I do not do that slump thing,” Lewis told reporters postgame Wednesday after collecting an 0-for-5 Tuesday. “That is not a real thing for me. Everyday is a fresh start.”
2. Hunter Greene “Machine”
Hunter Greene was all gas no breaks in his pitching duel versus the Pittsburgh Pirates Wednesday night.
He earned the two spot on the #HighFive list after going 6.1 shutout innings and striking out nine without walking anyone. The start was the 10th time this season Greene has had more than 15 whiffs (swings and misses) in a start, which leads the Majors, while his 98 strikeouts rank seventh in the National League.
He will take on the Pirates again next Tuesday night, this time in front of the Cincinnati faithful.
3. Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Stanton is the biggest X-Factor in the Yankees lineup and has played well since June began.
This week he slashed .346/.414/.577 with two home runs, seven RBI while compiling a seven-game hitting streak. He has been one of the best hitters in the Majors with runners in scoring position this season and proved so with two big hits Wednesday against the Orioles.
First, with the Yankees down four he launched his 18th homer of the year — a three-run shot in the bottom of the seventh to make it a one-run game. Then, in the ninth with one out and a runner on second, Stanton singled in the tying run.
4. Josh Naylor
Thanks to being in a market as low on the totem pole as Cleveland is, Josh Naylor may not get the start at first base in the All-Star Game he rightfully deserves, but as long as he keeps mashing it at the plate, he will find his way to Arlington come July.
After a great start to the year Naylor struggled in May, hitting just .186 despite launching eight home runs. However Naylor has fought his way out of the slump, hitting .360 with a .448 on base percentage and two home runs over his last seven games. Both those homers came Wednesday night in a win over the Seattle Mariners. “When you see a swing like that, it is one that deserves to be in Texas, it can change games,” said Josh’s brother Bo Naylor when asked to campaign him for the All-Star Game.
5. Cedric “The Entertainer” Mullins
Similar to Giancarlo Stanton, Cedric Mullins is the X-Factor that will decide the ultimate success of the Baltimore Orioles this season.
Mullins, who hit his first home run since April 26th Thursday afternoon, is hitting .292 with three RBI and two steals in his last seven games.
In Wednesday’s extra inning victory over the Yankees, Mullins put his skill set on full display in the 10th inning.
Not only did he drive in what would end up being the game-winning run, he also stole third and caused a wild throw into the outfield to add on another. “That is what he can do when he gets on base,” Orioles manager Brandon Hyde said postgame when speaking on Mullins.
“He gets a single, a lot of times it is a double. If he gets a double, he gets an opportunity to take third. There is a lot he can do on the bases for us.”
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.
The Minnesota Twins are currently 54-50, two games ahead of the Cleveland Guardians in the American League Central. They are in a great position heading into a weekend series against the lowly Kansa City Royals. However, the Twins will not be able to make a sustained playoff push without their MLBbros contributing to the cause.
Micheal Taylor has been enjoying his best month of the season in July. With a batting average of .268 and OPS of .821, Taylor has helped the Twins go 13-8 so far this month (as of July 27). Providing stability at the bottom of the lineup, the MLBbro has been a welcome addition to the Twins in his first year. His solid play in the outfield has also allowed the team to use the injury plagued Buxton at the DH position.
The Twins are hoping that some of the recent struggles that have plagued their slugger, MLBbro Byron Buxton, will go away. Post All-Star break, Buxton has batted only .091, tallying only three hits in 33 at-bats. There are some concerns with his lower-than-normal OPS (.702). He still has significant power, evidenced by 30 of his 57 hits being extra-base hits. Eliminating some of the strikeouts will go a long way in helping Buxton to get back to himself down the stretch.
Boasting an exit velocity that ranks in the 77th percentile shows that he is hitting the ball hard, just not in the right spots, so a breakout is almost inevitable.
MLBbro Nick Gordon has not played since May 17th. He fractured his right shin and has been on the IL ever since. He is slated to resume baseball activities as early as next week. His versatility will be a welcome addition, especially as a playoff stretch piece that comes from inside the clubhouse, rather than via a trade. The Twins will need all hands on deck to keep their playoff hopes alive and to fend off the pesky Guardians. The return of another solid young player like Gordon, could help them in many ways.
Jaelen Gilkey gives you the run down on #MLBro Byron “Big Bux” Buxton’s hot streak and how the Gold Glove centerfielder has given up the glove for the sake of his long-term health.
Recent Comments