Article: MIN 6, TOR 1: Buxton, Bartolo Get Twins Back to Winning Ways

[Doubles]

On its face, I'm not a fan of bunting either, but it does have its place.

 

In the case of someone like Buxton, getting his speed on base is imperitive. Usually only takes one more hit to get him in once he gets on. That's huge.

[Blackjack]

 

Maybe I should have put it in caps.   Buxton is currently batting .243 with a .305 OBP.     When not bunting he is batting .229 with an OBP of .296.     When bunting HE IS 9 FOR 19!  Works out to an average and OBP of .474.     I know you can't just isolate this stat and project but if you could he should be bunting every single time he gets up.  Also as pointed out above he is getting better at it, he draws infielders in and he creates havoc when he gets on base.  

 I know some envision him as more of a Puckett (who also bunted a lot even in his good power years) but I am thinking more like Ricky Henderson who batted lead off, got on base a lot, stole a ton of bases and still managed  300 home runs.

You made my point a lot better than I could of!!!!!!!!!!!

 

People bitch about bunting but theres many ways too help a team win!!!!

[Dantes929]

 

You made my point a lot better than I could of!!!!!!!!!!!

 

People bitch about bunting but theres many ways too help a team win!!!!I

 

I've loved watching it since Carew because he was so good with his placement and so smooth running but this guy is in a different category and I don't know why others don't love it also.    Bunting just to the left of the first baseman and seeing the fielder get to it quickly but simply cannot go one way, field the ball and shift his weight toward the line fast enough to catch Buxton because he is too fast.   And if he fields it and the 2nd baseman covers forget about it because he is too fast.   And if the 2nd baseman has to charge in and forget about it because he is too fast.   Or bunting it down the 3rd base line and he can't get to it and throw because he is too fast.    Its just exciting and fascinating to me.   What makes it all the better and I will be honest here because I didn't think he could do it is that Buxton has become a really good base stealer.    He has obviously worked very hard on his bunting and his base stealing and it has paid off.   Don't stop now.