The Last of His Generation: Byron Buxton and the End of an Era

[Cody Christie]

Every franchise experiences transitions, where one generation of players gives way to the next. For the Minnesota Twins, Byron Buxton represents the final piece of a group that once promised sustained success.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

When the Twins drafted Byron Buxton, many expected him to develop into the face of the franchise. He quickly vaulted to the top of national prospect lists and showcased his five-tool talent. However, he came through the minors with a group of prospects who were supposed to join him in defining a generation. As with any group, there are highs and lows on the way to sustained success at the big-league level. Now, Buxton is the last piece of the 2010s core.

“I mean, in a lot of ways it makes sense that he's the last, last guy here. You know, he's what? He's roughly the same age as those guys, maybe a year younger than those guys.” manager Rocco Baldelli said. “They were all … very important members of the organization. But no, it's with Buck's ability and his age and what he's still doing on the field. It's not surprising to me that he's still a Twin, and hopefully still a Twin for a long time.”

As Buxton leads the new Twins core, let’s look back at the generation that developed around him. It’s worth asking: Was 2019 the high point for that group? Or did the 2023 playoff breakthrough serve as their defining moment? The answer might reveal something about the staying power of the new generation of which Buxton is now also a part.

The Last of the 2010s Core
The group that Buxton represents came together in the mid-2010s, a blend of highly-touted draft picks and international signings. The likes of Miguel Sanó, Max Kepler, Jorge Polanco, José Berríos, and Eddie Rosario formed the backbone of a Twins team that, at its peak, looked like a perennial playoff contender. While Berríos and Rosario played key roles in the early success, Buxton always had the talent to separate himself from the others.

Buxton was ranked first or second on the top three national lists from 2014 through 2016. Sanó peaked at sixth overall entering the 2014 season, while Kepler, Polanco, and Berríos were top-100 prospects in 2016. Rosario was considered a top-100 prospect in 2012 and 2014. With high expectations for this group, there are two clear seasons for when this group may have peaked as a team. 

2019 vs. 2023: Which Was the High Point?
In some ways, 2019 was the culmination of their potential. That season, Minnesota’s “Bomba Squad” shattered MLB home run records on the way to 101 wins and an AL Central title. Sanó, Kepler, and Rosario all hit 30 or more home runs that season. Berríos led the pitching staff with over 200 innings pitched and a 123 ERA+. But as exhilarating as that season was, the abrupt three-game sweep at the hands of the Yankees reinforced an all-too-familiar narrative: The Twins simply couldn’t get it done in October.

If 2019 represented the peak of that group’s offensive firepower, 2023 was something different. While the likes of Sanó and Rosario were gone, holdovers like Buxton, Polanco, and Kepler remained. But the key difference? A new generation had begun to take over. Minnesota rode a trio of star rookies (Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, and Matt Wallner) to late-season success. Other homegrown talent (like Ryan Jeffers, Bailey Ober, and Jhoan Durán) were also key pieces in Minnesota’s first playoff series victory in over two decades.

In many ways, the 2023 season was more similar to 2006 than 2019. That 2006 Twins squad still had remnants of the Tom Kelly era, with players like Torii Hunter, Brad Radke, and Johan Santana, but had fully embraced a new core of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, and Francisco Liriano. Likewise, the 2023 Twins featured the last pieces of the 2019 Bomba Squad, but were clearly shifting toward a future built around younger talent.

Buxton’s Place in History
Buxton’s career has been a rollercoaster of breathtaking highlights and frustrating injuries. In many ways, he is the ultimate symbol of what could have been for his generation. Due to his health, his MVP-caliber talent has never fully materialized over a sustained stretch. And now, entering 2025, the Twins hope he can build off his first healthy offseason in over half a decade. 

Regardless of how the next few seasons unfold, Buxton remains the bridge between two Twins eras. When his time with the franchise eventually ends, it will officially close the book on the group that delivered the Bomba Squad’s record-breaking power but fell short of true postseason glory. The new generation, led by Lewis and a deep pitching core, is poised to write its own chapter—one that Twins fans hope includes more than just regular-season dominance.

So, was 2019 the high point of the last generation? Or was it 2023, with the long-awaited playoff breakthrough? The answer depends on how you define success. But one thing is certain: Byron Buxton, the last of his generation, is now playing for a team that belongs to the next.

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Which season was the high point of the previous generation? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[Mark G]

I would say the 2023 team meant more to me than the 2019 team; the latter did have the 3 players you mentioned with 30+ HRs, but also had Cruz, Garver, Cron, and Schoop combining for 120 as well, and how long did that group stay together?  The 2023 group got it done when it counted most; they gave us at least a moment of joy we had been waiting a long time for.  Since 2019 we traded Berrios because we didn't want to pay him, let Rosario go for cost savings, traded Garver, cut Sano, etc.  Recently we have traded FOR Lopez (and extended him) and Ryan, signed CC and Buck long term, and even over paid a good defensive catcher for stability.  I wish I could say they have done the right things all the time, but the changes they made in 4 years gave us that sense of hope that makes one keep watching.  They are still a little too Jekyll/Hyde for me (a little too much Hyde), but hope does spring eternal, as they say.    2019 was nice, but 2020 was a wash out for the league in general, and 2021 and 2022 we were 16 and 6 games under .500.   Let's see if the 2023 season is for real or the 2024 collapse is before I cement in my mind my choice.  👌

[Rod Carews Birthday]

It does make sense that Buxton is the bridge from one group of players to the next.  He was on the young end of the Sano, Berrios, Rosario, etc. group, but was signed to a long term extension which means he gets to stick around while others go elsewhere (or out of baseball entirely).  This time around, he gets to be the veteran on the team while the next wave of players is coming up and having their chance at it.  This actually happens quite a bit in MLB, with a holdover or two providing stability for the next wave of talent.  It's certainly a change in clubhouse role, but the goal is the same.  Go out there and win some ballgames. 

[Karbo]

I would say the peak of that group was 2019. by 2023 all that was left really was Buxton and Polonco. 2023 was the high point (so far) for this new group. This group is based on strong starting pitchers, and mostly guys with higher slugging pct. As such, I give this squad a better chance of winning. If a new owner comes on the scene, a little more eager to win, (and spend) this team could be a very good team for the next 5-7 years.

[Blyleven2011]

I hate it when Baldelli comments on his players or baseball in general , he is full of mularky  ...

Let the thumbs down come ,  our FO and manager are much like the politicians  , you never get what they are really thinking  , just what they think you want to hear ...

[Doctor Gast]

Both rotations were very good but the BP & rotation ran out of gas in '19 & the Bomba Squad didn't show up either for the playoff. '23 the rotation & BP were more rested for the playoffs, López was great, but the deciding factor was Correa & his ability to motivate Lewis.

[nicksaviking]

1 hour ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I hate it when Baldelli comments on his players or baseball in general , he is full of mularky  ...

Let the thumbs down come ,  our FO and manager are much like the politicians  , you never get what they are really thinking  , just what they think you want to hear ...

I'm fine with the Derek Falvey never letting us know what he's thinking, that's how it should be. If we know, the other GMs know.

Just like when my kids only half over-hear a dirty joke dad tells. Sorry, no I'm not going to repeat myself and I don't care if your curiosity is nagging at you son.

[alexlegge]

Nice reflection piece here.

I do think the decent teams of the Molitor years are worth considering here too; obviously they fell short of the postseason in 2015, but seeing raw-talent Sano and Buxton as rookies was so fun. Such a toolsy squad. Even in 2016, between starting and ending terribly, there was a stretch of 100ish games in the middle that felt far more competitive than they had during the first half of the decade. 

And 2017 was really the year that put Buxton's group of Twins more on the map. Polanco was a beast down the stretch and Buxton finally found his swing.

Frankly, the pennant chase in 2017 season was more exiting than the one in 2023. Not necessarily more fun or more memorable, but in terms of the sheer thrill and unpredictability of it, it was great. Plus there was a sense of relief from finally getting back to playoff-caliber baseball in the Target Field era. The main difference was that the 2023 squad was able to play well for 4 games of the playoffs, whereas the 2017 squad only really managed to for 4 outs including their own in the top of the 1st

 

 

[dxpavelka]

16 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I hate it when Baldelli comments on his players or baseball in general , he is full of mularky  ...

Let the thumbs down come ,  our FO and manager are much like the politicians  , you never get what they are really thinking  , just what they think you want to hear ...

Wait.  A sports FO guy NOT telling US what WE want to hear?  That's insane.  No way.  Are you telling me I should NOT believe everything that comes out of NFL guys mouths this time of year?  I may have to re-think all of my life priorities. 

[Squirrel]

17 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I hate it when Baldelli comments on his players or baseball in general , he is full of mularky  ...

Let the thumbs down come ,  our FO and manager are much like the politicians  , you never get what they are really thinking  , just what they think you want to hear ...

Name a FO and manager that tells the public everything? But this article is about Buxton. Maybe let’s keep it on topic.

And it’s spelled malarkey, so you know for next time.

[Whitey333]

The Buxton time with the Twins has mostly been a bust.  Too many injuries, too much time on the disabled list, too much hype, too little results.  He shows streaks of greatness but more streaks of average or mediocre play.  I really hope he'd healthy this year and plays well.  But all he has proven over 10 years is you can't count on him.

Falvey?  He's ok.   UT a poor manager of payroll.  The Twins have a history of highest payroll in central division in recent years.  Yet they have missed the playoffs 3 of the past 4 years.  There appears to be little accountability for Falvey and Rocco.

[TwinsDr2021]

21 minutes ago, Whitey333 said:

The Buxton time with the Twins has mostly been a bust.

Disappointment, less than expected, underwhelming or something like that, but Buxton isn't a bust. He is 23rd on the all-time Twins WAR ranking, He is 24th all time in steals (2nd in SB%), 17th in Homers (tied for 6th in AB per HR), top 40 in Doubles, 46th in Runs,

[LambchoP]

Twins have always placed important on a team leading center fielder. From Puckett to Hunter, to Buxton to Jenkins. Hopefully someday we see an OF of Jenkins, Buxton, Rodriguez and Wallner.

[RpR]

18 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Twins have always placed important on a team leading center fielder. From Puckett to Hunter, to Buxton to Jenkins. Hopefully someday we see an OF of Jenkins, Buxton, Rodriguez and Wallner.

Do not brag up Jenkins; this place seems to jinx all the wonder kids it brags up.

[IndianaTwin]

3 hours ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Disappointment, less than expected, underwhelming or something like that, but Buxton isn't a bust. He is 23rd on the all-time Twins WAR ranking, He is 24th all time in steals (2nd in SB%), 17th in Homers (tied for 6th in AB per HR), top 40 in Doubles, 46th in Runs,

And that's including honoring the Senator portion of the franchise. He's 12th in WAR among hitters who spent the bulk of their franchise years as a Twin. Another 3.6 WAR year like last year and he passes Tovar, Hunter and Gaetti into ninth. Four more 3.6 years and he passes Hrbek. Would that all our "busts" put up numbers like that. 

[Taildragger8791]

20 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

Both rotations were very good but the BP & rotation ran out of gas in '19 & the Bomba Squad didn't show up either for the playoff. '23 the rotation & BP were more rested for the playoffs, López was great, but the deciding factor was Correa & his ability to motivate Lewis.

Wasn't there rumors that MLB changed to ball for the playoffs? No more super-fun bouncy ball meant the homerun-dependent lineup was neutered. It's hard enough as it is to rely on HRs to score in the playoffs, considering the pitching quality and intensity is so much higher.

[Blyleven2011]

On 3/3/2025 at 4:17 PM, nicksaviking said:

I'm fine with the Derek Falvey never letting us know what he's thinking, that's how it should be. If we know, the other GMs know.

Just like when my kids only half over-hear a dirty joke dad tells. Sorry, no I'm not going to repeat myself and I don't care if your curiosity is nagging at you son.

My statement really didn't have a meaning towards the team's strategy  , its what they say to the fans in general about the players  , they never give up the straight scoop on a player ...

[Craig Arko]

Same situation with Mike Trout, isn’t it?

[jkcarew]

“And now, entering 2025, the Twins hope he can build off his first healthy offseason in over half a decade.”

Honestly…this narrative is floated at least every-other offseason with Buxton…and it needs to die. Buxton’s health headed into a season has almost NEVER mattered in terms of the reason he can’t complete the following season. He has very consistently come up with new ailments to cancel seasons regardless of whether he was ‘finally’ healthy from the previous injury.

[jkcarew]

6 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

And that's including honoring the Senator portion of the franchise. He's 12th in WAR among hitters who spent the bulk of their franchise years as a Twin. Another 3.6 WAR year like last year and he passes Tovar, Hunter and Gaetti into ninth. Four more 3.6 years and he passes Hrbek. Would that all our "busts" put up numbers like that. 

And don’t forget the 7 plate appearances across 10 Twins postseason games since he’s joined the club.😉

I’ll go with “disappointment”. Availability is an ability.

[DocBauer]

Buxton is an unfortunate case of "what if". But when he's been healthy, or remotely so, he's been one of the most FUN Twins players I've ever had the privilege of watching perform. Doesn't matter if it was streaking across the OF grass for a catch, that whirlwind swing for a 425' HR shot, or racing around the bases for a triple, I've so enjoyed watching him play!

And he's not dead, and he's not done. I'm hoping for some more big moments from him over the next upcoming seasons. 

Teams just don't stay together for long periods of time as a whole. Guys retire, or get traded, or simply get hurt. But it makes me all the more appreciative of players like Hrbek, Puckett, Gagne, Bush, Mauer, and Morneau and others...different times and different teams.. who were part of a team for many years. 

Since it's been broached....2023 was a great season, some frustration with the first half, big performances and a record streaking to a 90+ win pace, (before settling in at 87), and winning a playoff series for the first time in years. Very rewarding! But even though the team didn't show up in the 2019 playoffs, that team was one of the most FUN I've ever been able to watch and enjoy as a fan in all my many years. Over 100 wins, setting a HR record, knowing the team would probably win every night, the players wearing matching T-shirts, it was a BLAST! And regardless of the playoffs, it will always be one of my favorite Twins seasons EVER.

[dxpavelka]

11 hours ago, LambchoP said:

Twins have always placed important on a team leading center fielder. From Puckett to Hunter, to Buxton to Jenkins. Hopefully someday we see an OF of Jenkins, Buxton, Rodriguez and Wallner.

hey if we can get 4 guys out there it's gotta help

 

[TwinsDr2021]

19 hours ago, jkcarew said:

And don’t forget the 7 plate appearances across 10 Twins postseason games since he’s joined the club.😉

I’ll go with “disappointment”. Availability is an ability.

So every Twins player for the last 30 some years have been a disappointment?

[Doctor Wu]

On 3/5/2025 at 6:05 AM, Craig Arko said:

Same situation with Mike Trout, isn’t it?

I keep thinking about the Angels having both Trout and Ohtani for several years ... and never once making the playoffs, Sure, injuries played a factor, but it also goes to show that you need quality pitching.