Old man Buxton needs a walking stick

[ashbury]

I see that Byron Buxton hasn't taken a walk since May 31. Me, I get kind of antsy if I don't get my exercise. He might want to consider a walking regimen again, one he seems to have given up during his 23 PA in the month of June.

[Otto von Ballpark]

He has seemed to plateau around a .550 OPS lately, with a 34% K rate and little or no power.  Wouldn't be surprising if the walk rate starts to dip again.

[gunnarthor]

Yeah, he needs to step it up again offensively.  He started 2-50 but since the Detroit series, he's hit roughly .250/.330/.345 with a 34% k-rate and 13% bb-rate. But he's been up and down in those 38 games with small hot and cool streaks. Hopefully he improves those numbers and start pushing his OPS up significantly.

[rghrbek]

 

He has seemed to plateau around a .550 OPS lately, with a 34% K rate and little or no power.  Wouldn't be surprising if the walk rate starts to dip again.

 

Agreed and seems to be swinging at any ball with spin on it, that ends up either outside the zone or low and outside the zone.  These pitches are clearly not even close to being strikes.  It's his kryptonite right now, and we won't see the average or his ob% go up until he can figure that out.

[Doomtints]

He looks as lost as Aaron Hicks used to look. I'm glad they are giving him extended time in the majors, but he is another year away from being consistently productive at the plate.

[drock2190]

He seems to have no idea on what pitchers are trying to do to him. 

 

Plus he is trying to pull everything. Once he gets down in the count he should just look to hit the other way. Especially facing a righty with a slider.

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

Speaking of Aaron Hicks, and not to ruin anyone's Friday, but below is his stat line so far this year.  He has a shot at making the All-Star roster.  Yep....

 

.315/.426/.977   8 HR and 31 RBI's

 

 

Underlying numbers show he's been getting lucky. That being said, bad trade.

 

There's a thread for that!

 

http://twinsdaily.com/topic/25594-hicks-for-murphy-trade-14-months-later/

[bluechipper]

Here's an interesting stat. Joe Mauer only has 3 more walks than Byron Buxton this season.

[akmanak]

Right now? That has been his deal since he has entered the majors.

 

Agreed and seems to be swinging at any ball with spin on it, that ends up either outside the zone or low and outside the zone. These pitches are clearly not even close to being strikes. It's his kryptonite right now, and we won't see the average or his ob% go up until he can figure that out.

[Sweetwater]

He's taking his lumps. You can know things, but still not handle them when you're lacking adequate experience still. His brain will eventually connect the dots.

[Linus]

I like his new swing. He has ditched the leg kick and is much quicker getting the bat to the ball. I hope he continues to just focus on recognizing strikes and making contact. Rome wasn't built in a day.

[beetlebum71]

 

I like his new swing. He has ditched the leg kick and is much quicker getting the bat to the ball. I hope he continues to just focus on recognizing strikes and making contact. Rome wasn't built in a day.

See, and I'm not a fan of the new approach.  He's done a lot of weird things that I'm sure someone told him wold help this year.  He's raised his hands from where they were last September, which creates more motion in having to bring them back down.  He's closed off his stance, which gets him tied up on pitches inside a lot.  Then, there's the leg kick, which seemed to help him stay back and generate power, which is now gone.  The need to stop tweaking him and just let him hit  He's got good hands, a fast bat, and sneaky strength.  The coaches need to get out of the way a little, let him get comfortable, and he'll be fine.

[ALessKosherScott]

I really can't wait for Dave's "We sold Buxton to the Yankees for Magic Beans" thread in 2021.