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The Twins may not be sending a flock of players to the Midsummer Classic, but the one they will send is the heartbeat of the team. Byron Buxton is officially a 2025 American League All-Star, named as Minnesota’s lone representative for the game in Atlanta. It is his second All-Star selection, with his other coming in 2022. For Buxton, the honor is more than just another line on the résumé. It’s a recognition of a player fully realizing his star potential, in a season wherein he's been healthy, impactful, and downright electric.
Buxton entered the season with a point to prove. After years of injury-plagued campaigns, he’s stayed on the field and reminded everyone why the Twins have been so steadfast in their belief in his talent. His defensive wizardry in center field has returned to Gold Glove form, where highlight-reel catches are back to being a near-nightly occurrence. He has tried to carry the Twins with his offensive performance in recent weeks. Entering play on Sunday, he was slashing .268/.333/.536, with 19 home runs, 11 doubles, and 15 stolen bases. Combine that with elite defense in center, and there’s a legitimate case that Buxton has been the best all-around center fielder in the American League. As if to burnish that case at the last moment, he hit a leadoff home run and stole a base after a third-inning single, pushing the totals for round-trippers and thefts to 20 and 16, respectively.
The Georgia connection only adds to the significance of the moment. Buxton, born in Baxley, Ga., emerged on the amateur stage as a high-school star and one of the top draft prospects in 2012. He will play in front of family and friends during the All-Star festivities, a fitting backdrop to his most complete season as a professional. His 3.1 rWAR is already his fifth-highest total in any season, and his 136 OPS+ is his third-best mark. It’s been a long, winding road to this point, with setbacks that might have derailed a lesser player. Instead, Buxton has shown resilience and leadership during a season when the Twins desperately needed both.
Minnesota has hovered near the fringes of contention this year, struggling with inconsistency and injuries across the roster. Amid the turbulence, Buxton has stood out as the club’s anchor. His .536 slugging average, 138 wRC+, 5 Outs Above Average and 5.0 Baserunning Runs are the best among AL center fielders. He ranks in the AL's top 10 in offensive WAR (5th), slugging (3rd), OPS (7th), runs (3rd), homers (5th), steals (7th), and Win Probability Added (5th). The Twins’ offense has seen its ups and downs, but Buxton has delivered key hits in big spots, pushed the tempo with his legs, and provided highlight-reel defense that saves runs and lifts morale.
It’s also worth noting that Buxton’s All-Star nod could have financial implications. His contract includes incentives tied to MVP voting. While the field is crowded, the visibility and narrative surrounding his strong season could put him in the conversation for votes, especially if he continues to carry the Twins through the second half. If he makes it into the top 10 in MVP voting, he'll receive a bonus of at least $3 million.
Even as the team sends only one player to the All-Star Game, there were a few close calls. Jhoan Duran’s bullpen dominance made him a plausible addition, and Joe Ryan has arguably been one of the AL’s best starting pitchers. There is a chance that both pitchers could be added to the rosters as they expand later this week due to injuries and the unavailability of other pitchers. But with Ryan staying on schedule to pitch Saturday and Duran just missing the cut, the spotlight shines squarely on Buxton.
It’s simply a well-deserved honor for a player whose value to the Twins goes far beyond the stat sheet. He’s the face of the franchise, a leader in the clubhouse, and the guy who gives Minnesota fans hope every time he steps on the field.
Buxton is getting his All-Star flowers again, and it’s coming in his home state, amid a season in which he is a fuller version of himself. Maybe—just maybe—the rest of the baseball world will realize how special he is. If not, he'll certainly make Twins Territory proud, anyway.
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