Buxton

[wsnydes]

 

Buxton's standard "struggle for a month or so at a level, then destroy the ball"

 

I've heard good arguments on both sides of when to bring him up (from "now" to "2017")... I'm in the "in a few weeks camp" as long as it is understood that he's playing EVERY FREAKING DAY. He's proven he needs to struggle a little at each level. Let him struggle. Every level he's come out of that struggle killing the ball.

I can't like this comment enough.  Agreed 100%.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Buxton reminds me a little of Javier Baez. Both dominate the minors with avg and extra base hits, and struggled in the majors. Both are very athletic, have explosive quick bats, have a lot of swing and miss to their games, can take a walk but not often enough, play great defense. They just struggle with major league pitching. 

 

Cubs brought up Baez originally to fail and hope it helps change his approach, so maybe this will work better with Buxton. I think both still have incredible potential, but might never get there too. I think the most likely case is that they both will be streaky good hitters and streaky bad players in the majors. 

[AlwaysinModeration]

Smalley was on 1500 yesterday. He said they sent him Rochester with instructions to work on loading on his right side. He was asked when Buxton should be recalled. Smalley suggested it would be a mistake to rush him given the change in mechanics. Buxton needs enough reps to make this change feel natural.

 

The intent of the change is timing as much as power. He will still need to learn how to hit a curve but the results of this change in mechanics look promising. The AAA version of Buxton playing here would make a huge difference to this team. Not to mention it would give us something worth watching.

Good post. Also, I just noticed, good screen name.

[ashbury]

He will still need to learn how to hit a curve

Two aspects of that: hitting a curve that passes through the strike zone, laying off a curve that doesn't. I think both are still a problem for him, but the latter is the bigger one. (And I guess I'm lumping all breaking pitches together in saying this.) What's your take?

[jokin]

 

Two aspects of that: hitting a curve that passes through the strike zone, laying off a curve that doesn't. I think both are still a problem for him, but the latter is the bigger one.

 

First sentence- "absolutely right."

Second sentence- "How can you tell?"-

 

Particularly since he looks "deer-in-the-headlights"-level overwhelmed at a major league breaking pitch, either way? His major league MO is pretty much that he usually gets to a 2-strike count- usually the result of swinging at, or taking, breaking pitches- and then with Buxton in big trouble behind in the count, it seems every pitcher in the league throws him the down and/or out of the zone curve/slider resulting in yet another feeble Buxton whiff- swinging or looking- regardless, he looks outmatched either way.

[Jham]

 

First sentence- "absolutely right."

Second sentence- "How can you tell?"-

 

Particularly since he looks "deer-in-the-headlights"-level overwhelmed at a major league breaking pitch, either way? His major league MO is pretty much that he usually gets to a 2-strike count- usually the result of swinging at, or taking, breaking pitches- and then with Buxton in big trouble behind in the count, it seems every pitcher in the league throws him the down and/or out of the zone curve/slider resulting in yet another feeble Buxton whiff- swinging or looking- regardless, he looks outmatched either way.

Few pitchers can consistently locate a really good breaking ball in the zone.  Often there are  breaking balls that dive out of the zone.  Then there are "get me overs" which tend to be pretty hittable without the element of surprise.  As such, you can be pretty successful by just laying off non-hangers.  The so-called "If it's high let it fly, if it's low let it go" approach.  Of course, you need a minimum level of pitch recognition and experience with how pitchers attack you in order to make that work.

With Buxton, I had commented that he had lost his aggression at the plate in his efforts to not strike out.  Basically he was all arms trying to make contact. He gave up a lot of bat speed in an effort to shorten and level his swing.  Sounds like the Twins sent him down to work on that, but again, as others point out, his ability to aggressively attack pitches he can hit only helps if he usually passes on the pitches (even strikes) that he can't hit.  When I saw Hageman's gifs of his home runs this week, it appeared he was loading better, but except for the high fastball he crushed, his front leg was still bent and coming down a bit late for taste (ie still a lot of arms).  

[ashbury]

Second sentence- "How can you tell?"-

I think your response went on to describe what I meant. I wasn't mind-reading him, in terms of what he finds more difficult; I was expressing which trait is more troublesome in terms of results. He'd get himself into two-strike territory by going after pitches others might let pass, and he'd get strike three the same way. I can put up with swinging through the occasional hanging curve in the strike zone, if he'd cure the other problem, even if not punishing a mistake pitch is also regrettable.

[Kwak]

These auto play Kraft adds can go!

[jokin]

 

These auto play Kraft adds can go!

 

Tell me about it, trying to spend a nice, quiet weekend with the Twins, Radiohead, King Crimson and John Mayer, this sappy stuff comes on, making me wonder if some of my favorite artists have finally sold out...

[Brock Beauchamp]

Buxton had a good month. Fantastic.

 

Now let's see him do it again.

[ashbury]

Buxton had a good month. Fantastic.

 

Now let's see him do it again.

Yes. The logic has changed since early April.

 

Then: "For the Twins to end up with a good record, the following need to emerge as above average MLB players: Buxton, Sano, ..."

 

Now: "We already see the Twins are not going to end up with a good record."

 

Hope, if of the informed variety, is a perfectly acceptable component of planning for a season. This year's hope has been exposed as false, so now plans change.

[jokin]

 

Buxton had a good month. Fantastic.

Now let's see him do it again.

 

I think the watchwords here are- "let's see him do it again"... at the next level.

 

I don't think there's a problem based on his past history in the minors. Once he masters a level over a month or so, he hasn't ever looked back. If the Twins were to somehow decide to leave Buxton down in AAA the entire year, there isn't a doubt in my mind that he would be AAA POY.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I think the watchwords here are- "let's see him do it again"... at the next level.

 

I don't think there's a problem based on his past history in the minors. Once he masters a level over a month or so, he hasn't ever looked back. If the Twins were to somehow decide to leave Buxton down in AAA the entire year, there isn't a doubt in my mind that he would be AAA POY.

Oh, sure. I don't want to see Buxton in Rochester all season... But one more month? Yeah, I want to see at least one more month.

 

But kicking the can down the road to September only puts the Twins in the exact same position heading into 2017. Buxton needs MLB service time, I'm only of the belief he doesn't need to see it this June. Call him up around the ASB and see how he does over 200-250 PAs (assuming he continues to dominate AAA and deserves a promotion).

[ashbury]

Word on the radio at the end of today's game is that Buxton is being recalled, following DSan's hamstring injury.

[ashbury]

you know the pitching staff is going to be happy Buxton is back in the Outfield.

Will they be just as happy knowing they may have to pitch a spotless game, if Buxton hits like he did before?

[SydneyTwinsFan]

Buxton pulled after the 3rd inning for Rochester tonight. 

[nicksaviking]

Will they be just as happy knowing they may have to pitch a spotless game, if Buxton hits like he did before?

Well Danny Santana has a .620 OPS so theres probably not a ton of risk.