Bigger Disappointment: Byron Buxton or Miguel Sano?

Neither. Case closed.

I've never been a Sano fan.  Yes, he hits the ball hard.  Yes, if he connects it "might" go out for a home run.  But he is almost a guaranteed out.  He strikes out a ton.  Home runs are nice but I don't think they outweigh his lack of defense and lack of on base percentage.  When you add into that the off field problems he isn't someone you can depend on.

Buxton has had a lot of injuries it's true.  It does make him someone you can't rely on.  Right now.  When he is on the field he is a difference maker.  Defensively he is at the top of the list.  Offensive statistics might be streaky but above average.  Injuries are something you hope are just a fluke.

I would take Buxton over Sano any day.  And if we look back in the future and say we lost yet another David Ortiz type .... oh well!

Im not really disappointed by either one of them because neither one has impressed me consistently enough to expect elite performances. If Buxton can stay healthy he can be an impact player, but i doubt a superstar. Sano seems like maturity could help him develop into the threat we hope he can be. This year the evaluations are skewed for both because of the freaky situations but as i saw one person post "i always knew Sano would test positive" I thought having Cruz around would help keep Sano's head in the right place but that still is a work in progress. In Buxton's case i think he is guarded against taking any suggestions because basically the old coaching staff screwed his head up and then the new FO...in one of the few mistakes they made basically screwed him over in 2018. I guess we're stuck with the good and the bad with Sano cuz he signed that extension. Im not sure Buxton will ever forget 2018. It would be nice to see that whole core stick together but the chances of that are slim and none. Somebody will pay Berrios way more than he is worth and Rosario would prolly stay for less money. Buxton I'm afraid, is gone as soon as he can be. The only thing that could hold it together is maybe Baldelli.

"Somebody will pay Berrios way more than he is worth"

I'm afraid it will be the Twins.

I'm not as disappointed in Sano and Buxton as much as the Twin's treatment of both. Sano was kept at third well past the time it was clear he would always be a defensive liability - and let's not even mention the debacle in right field. If Sano had given any indication he'd prepare his body for a premium position it might have been different, but getting down under 300 lbs doesn't cut it. Buxton's handling has already been discussed. 

Personally, I am not "disappointed" in either.  They have both shown they can be MLB players for years.  Yes, they both have had set backs and issues.  If I had to pick one it would be Sano more for his lack of being in shape not improving on his defense.  

Buxton tries so hard to be the best he can be.  This has lead to so many changes in hitting.  He is willing to go through walls to make catches, which has led to injuries.  He will try as hard as he can to be as good as he can.  That is not disappointing to me.  We heard the Mike Trout comps, which was not fair for Buck.  Trout, barring falling off the table in the next few years, might go down as best player of all time, if you go by WAR that is nearly a lock.  So to have that comp is just not fair for anyone.  Has Buck become the best player on our team, no.  Has he become an all star year in and out and future HOF, no.  But is he a flop, no.  There are many other players drafted in top 5 that never make majors let alone show they are top defensive player in the league. 

Uggh. The question I don't want to answer. Great article

and to be honest is it fair to say that either one of them is a bust? If I were Falvey i would consider both of them diamonds in the rough because he had nothing to with drafting or really developing them. The fact that they both are on a major league roster is better than a lot of teams can say about their top draft picks. For reals. Once this core is long gone the blame is all on the Falvines. There will be no more excuses. I bet they are elated to get a wildcard and a division title out of this group.

JD Durbin

Gotta disagree, Cody. No way has Buxton been any type of disappointment. Yes, he is still getting his swings in having missed a good part of the shortened summer training camp. But there have been several games where he has shown us the player he can  become. Is he a disappointment, no way in ..........

Buxton has had a lot of injuries it's true.  It does make him someone you can't rely on.  Right now.  When he is on the field he is a difference maker.  Defensively he is at the top of the list.  Offensive statistics might be streaky but above average.

Above average? In this, his "break out" season, Buxton is sporting a .225 OBP...his career OBP...over 400 games now...is 288. Sano has never been even close to the 'guaranteed out' that Buxton has been. Sano's OBP sits at .276 this year and .336 career-wise.

I do agree....that as currently performing through these first 25 games, Buxton has value because of the defense, although way less than most here give him credit for, and less than flawed defensive components for WAR gives him. But, still, more value that Sano has provided so far in 2020, which is zero.

It's about 20 games played for each of these guys so far in 2020. But based on track records, I think it's fair to say, it's very unlikely either gets to true 'star' status at this point.

On the other hand...if the big guy heats up...and Buxton becomes a true/consistent league-average hitter...

Neither. Case closed.

Amending the previous post in light of the IL announcement - I am worried about Byron Buxton being hurt. Worried about Mitch Garver and Luis Arraez, as well.

Miguel Sano is playing his heart out at first base. He wants to excel, and if he succeeds we will have our Kent Hrbek for the '20s.

I remain disappointed in no one. Win Twins!

Sano's gotta cut down on the strikeouts - a guy his size, with his strength, has to make contact.  At least, more than he does now.

Right now, I'd say 'Sano' b/c I expect a guy to become more disciplined & refined as he gains experience and I can't say Sano's doing that; too many swings & misses.

Sano's gotta cut down on the strikeouts - a guy his size, with his strength, has to make contact.  At least, more than he does now.

 

Right now, I'd say 'Sano' b/c I expect a guy to become more disciplined & refined as he gains experience and I can't say Sano's doing that; too many swings & misses.

Last night provided plenty of evidence that he's working on this, as well.  Having seen how he adjusts, and then how pitchers adjust to his adjustments, it's fair to say we are not looking at the final product yet.

Buxton is the bigger disappointment for sure. Sano hasn't become the best power hitter in baseball, but he's still a huge power threat and plays 1b just fine. Could be better but still plays most days. Buxton gets a lot of love from war, and no doubt his defense is crazy good and he's really fun to watch out there. But he never plays for more than a couple weeks at a time it seems, and those first what, 2-4 years were pretty terrible when he was on the field. I like him but can see him out of baseball in 5 years, while I see Sano having a normal length career for a lunking power hitter.

edit to add: Buxton was also a #2 overall pick while Sano was a international signing. The value of the #2 pick compared to just a cash signing hurts his perceived value, as we expect our top 5 picks to be face of the franchise players. And if anything that's the often maligned rosario, not the guy (occasionally) playing next to him.