Byron Buxton

[John Kelsey]

Currently leads the team in B-Ref WAR and is fourth in Fangraphs WAR behind Sano, Dozier, and Rosario. 

 

We don't need to turn this into another WAR discussion, but it's crazy how little he has to hit to be a very valuable player. 

[Vanimal46]

That's what happens when he's the best defensive CF in the game, and elite on the basepath. He's been on a nice hot streak over the last month. Hopefully he finds a middle ground between .317 (what he's hitting since Aug 1) and .200. He's still only 23, so there's plenty of time to grow. 

[nicksaviking]

Hey, and as a bonus, he HAS been hitting since the end of June. Batting over .300 with an OPS of .784 since returning from the DL.

[Mike Sixel]

He could be one of the most exciting players in the game if he can hit.....

[Sssuperdave]

 

That's what happens when he's the best defensive CF in the game, and elite on the basepath. He's been on a nice hot streak over the last month. Hopefully he finds a middle ground between .317 (what he's hitting since Aug 1) and .200. He's still only 23, so there's plenty of time to grow. 

 

I'm not hoping for a middle ground... I'm hoping for .317!!!

[bird]

Roy Smalley has said, several times, that he truly believes that, when Buxton finds a level of offensive consistency at just a slightly higher level, this it in and of itself will have an impact on the team beyond what most people are imagining.

[twinsnorth49]

He's been hitting for awhile now, and getting on base at a much more regular clip. The question is will the slugging ever get there, last September showed it's possible but the jury is still out.

[LFRGary]

Buxton is the fastest CF I've ever watched by far. Devon White was the next fastest but Buxton is faster. White just glided. Buxton is different in that he glides at warp speed.   

[gunnarthor]

I've pointed this out before but ..

 

Over his first 15 games he hit .082/.135/.122 (4-49), with 46% k-rate and 4% walk rate

Since then, he's .261/.335/.365 with 27% k-rate and 10% walk rate.

 

Since July 1st, he's hitting .347/.407/.458 with 22% k-rate and 10% walk rate.

[Dr. Evil]

You're all welcome.

[Monkeypaws]

That new stance with little leg-kick has been working a treat. Reminds me of Span. 

 

His plate control has gone up by leaps and bounds.

[Dantes929]

I am ok it he doesn't hit for power until he loses a few steps in speed.   If he can get on base at a .380 clip he will be an awesome force and I would not care if he hit any home runs (though I think he will).   I would like to see him bunt for hits down the third base side every once in a while.   Still bat reminds me more of Molitor but I can see Span also.  

[bluechipper]

 

That new stance with little leg-kick has been working a treat. Reminds me of Span. 

 

His plate control has gone up by leaps and bounds.

I've been encouraged by the run too, but there is a downside to his current approach, and that's the power. Just 2 doubles and 2 HRs since the beginning of July. 

 

I'll take the progress, but hopefully he can start driving the ball more as he gets more and more comfortable.

[yarnivek1972]

Just out of curiousity, what makes B-R's WAR different from fangraph's?

 

That is, what does one give greater weight to that the other does not?

[Guest]

Remember the kerfuffle a few weeks ago when when Rowson discussed some of the changes they're trying to make to Buxton's swing? This new batting coach is reversing years that were lost or misguided. Great hire by the new FO!

[drivlikejehu]

Buxton is still figuring it out, obviously, but I've always believed in his talent. Right now, it makes sense for him to prioritize getting on base, as opposed to hitting for power . . . his speed on the basepaths makes it that much more valuable for him to get on (and a point of OBP is worth a bit more than a point of SLG anyway).

[snepp]

He stole Sano's mojo.

[Monkeypaws]

 

I've been encouraged by the run too, but there is a downside to his current approach, and that's the power. Just 2 doubles and 2 HRs since the beginning of July. 

 

I'll take the progress, but hopefully he can start driving the ball more as he gets more and more comfortable.

I'll take one tool at a time with Buxton - the field throw run are already top notch.

 

Get the hit tool going, and the power will come with time.

[drjim]

He's still on pace to be a monster. It will all come together by 2019.

 

7/8 WAR player for multiple seasons.

[Bill Brown69]

With his speed 1/2 of his singles can become doubles. The other thing to think about is he is in scoring position at first, a long single will score him from first several times over the course of a year.

[Shaitan]

 

He's still on pace to be a monster. It will all come together by 2019.

7/8 WAR player for multiple seasons.

 

As long as it doesn't come together just before his arbitration years end.

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Just out of curiousity, what makes B-R's WAR different from fangraph's?

 

That is, what does one give greater weight to that the other does not?

http://www.fangraphs.com/library/war/differences-fwar-rwar/

[Monkeypaws]

Well, Buck is up to .240.

 

What he is doing sure looks sustainable to me. 

 

This is gonna be fun.

[DocBauer]

You can just s÷ his confidence growing. He is going to be special, no doubt. It's starting to slow down for him and all beginning to come together. Never forget how young he still is, how quickly he raced through the minors, and some of the development time he missed. Natural ability served him well. But at this level, natural ability is not enough. He's learning how difficult this game truly is, growing, learning and making adjustments.

[DaveW]

Haven't been about catch the games since I'm like 7 hours ahead here. But wow, Bux is doing great lately. Suddenly this OF and team looks pretty damn set offensively (and defensively)

[AlwaysinModeration]

Since the All-Star Game, Buxton's slash line is .351/.406/.596/1.003.

[stringer bell]

Until the Cleveland series, I hadn't watched much Twins baseball since June. Buxton looks totally different at the plate now compared to a couple months ago. The numbers say he has found something that works and it does appear sustainable to me. The sky is the limit if he can stay healthy.

[big dog]

21 for 22 in SB attempts ain't too shabby either.  Watch out September, Buck's gonna crush you.

[gunnarthor]

Kepler's been getting a bit better, too. This young OF really could be something as soon as next year.

[drjim]

Kepler's been getting a bit better, too. This young OF really could be something as soon as next year.

They strike me as something right now. Could absolutely push this team into the playoffs.