Thread: Byron Buxton writeup on Fangraphs

Reports From Instructs: Byron Buxton

by Kiley McDaniel - December 28, 2012

I was just about to link that, too. Really nice write up.

Love this article. Great write up with a lot of critiques on the bad and a lot of praise for the good. Nothing overly negative. He seems to give realistic projections for Buxton and not going crazy like some scouts do. The analysis was very in depth...For me it gave me a better understanding on Buxton with only seeing him have a couple plate appearances. Wish more articles had this kind of analysis on ESPN and such.

Great, detailed, writeup, I was about to link to it also.....

That was a good analysis and solid projection of his potential. I will predict right now that Buxton ends up being pretty similar to . . .

Devon White. Remember him? I actually really liked him and if Buxton lives up to that it would be very good for the Twins.

Why don't more people compare him to Griffey without the raw power. Same smooth swing - incredible defensive instincts & arm. Similar build at same age. His batting from other side is the rare difference. Just a thought

very excited to see him play, we stole him at number 2, he should have been number 1

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

That was a good analysis and solid projection of his potential. I will predict right now that Buxton ends up being pretty similar to . . .

Devon White. Remember him? I actually really liked him and if Buxton lives up to that it would be very good for the Twins.

Yeah, White was pretty good. Had health issues - only 8 seasons out of 17 w/130 games or more and didn't steal as much after age 30 - but in his prime he was a pretty darn good ball player. Big part of those hated Toronto teams. I hope Buxton is a bit better offensively (although White's power is probably a realistic comp) but it certainly wouldn't be a bust if he had White's career.

I can guarantee you Byron Buxton won't be playing in Beloit next season as McDaniel stated on Fangraphs since the Snappers are now an affiliate of the Oakland A's.

An obvious comp to me would be Torii Hunter... similar size (when Hunter was younger), combination of speed and power. Buxton is faster and has the upside to be a better hitter too, but conservatism is warranted with prospects, especially unpolished ones.

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

That was a good analysis and solid projection of his potential. I will predict right now that Buxton ends up being pretty similar to . . .

Devon White. Remember him? I actually really liked him and if Buxton lives up to that it would be very good for the Twins.

I think that he is ahead of Devon White at this point as far as speed in concerned (plus Devon was a similar player and shared a last name with RonDL White, so that is not a good thing to wish anyone ). For me it is any place between Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson depending on power and pitch recognition development. He is fast. Faster than Revere and GoGo fast.

Originally Posted by lightfoot789

Why don't more people compare him to Griffey without the raw power. Same smooth swing - incredible defensive instincts & arm. Similar build at same age. His batting from other side is the rare difference. Just a thought

Griffey was always a 70-80 power prospect and and 60 speed prospect

I like this article. It's bold and cynical, yet bound by tangible--and articulate--observation. The author takes the middle road on projection, which is the safe bet, but the author praises Buxton's capacity to go well beyond his safe bet.

It will be fun to see how Buxton adjusts to the competition of each level, because what we're watching for is his capacity adjust, not the excess of his skills.

Originally Posted by thrylos98

I think that he is ahead of Devon White at this point as far as speed in concerned (plus Devon was a similar player and shared a last name with RonDL White, so that is not a good thing to wish anyone ). For me it is any place between Vince Coleman and Rickey Henderson depending on power and pitch recognition development. He is fast. Faster than Revere and GoGo fast.

This is what came to mind for me: Rickey (Vince Coleman had literally no power, I think Buxton will be able to do better than VC in that department). If his speed is as advertised he can be that big of a weapon. You have to love players that have a skill set or ability so unique that they can do something that no one else can. It's very exciting to have that type of player in the system.

A faster and better defensive Devon White, then. Rickey Henderson is one of the greatest players of all-time. Let's calm it down!

Here's another Buxton article on Fangraphs.

Like Aaron Hicks, Buxton Will Require Patience

Originally Posted by snepp

Here's another Buxton article on Fangraphs.

Like Aaron Hicks, Buxton Will Require Patience

Sounds like he'll be ready right about the time Hicks is testing free agency...