Is Byron Buxton Too Much Miguel Sano?

I wonder if Buxton is one of those guys who just don't stay engaged when they have to go 30-45 minutes in between any kind of game action.  Perhaps getting out on the field is necessary for Buxton to truly produce at the plate.  Either way, this has to get figured out, and soon.

He is what he is at this point. I expect the K% to come back 'down' to 30%, his career rate, as the season progresses. But the OBP won't...low 300's is about as good as it's going to get.

The biggest problem right now...the biggest difference between 2023 and 2019-2022 for Buxton is that his HR-rate is WAY WAY down. Instead of an Aaron Judge pace, he's on a 162-game pace for about 20. That's not going to provide a ton of value combined with the low OBP.

For Buxton to be 'good' offensively, his fly balls need to leave the park at a very, very high rate. That's what he's had in his recent good seasons...league-leading HR/FB rates. That's who he is offensively.

Being forced to play Designated Hitter, or Designated Strike Out, YES

Oops.

it's 1/10th of a season. we don't have to do this yet.

42 minutes ago, Cap'n Piranha said:

I wonder if Buxton is one of those guys who just don't stay engaged when they have to go 30-45 minutes in between any kind of game action.  Perhaps getting out on the field is necessary for Buxton to truly produce at the plate.  Either way, this has to get figured out, and soon.

I think that's a very good point & could very well be true. IMO it's difficult for Buck to DH & produce especially on a long term basis. He's a player that wants to be engaged in the game much as possible. Therefore management needs to rethink their strategy because of this and because we could  be better off if we use a different DH in some instances.

Swing path is my guess. It seems like Buxton often has a severe upper cut, which makes it really hard to find the ball. Last night (4/19), Buxton doubled to right center and he had a noticeably flatter (not flat at all) swing at the ball. Buck does what he does and the adjustments seem slow. He sure has a quick bat though and it would be nice to see more contact.

I seems to me that a lot of players get complacent.  I'd like to see a little more fire and effort, epecially from the so-called stars.

He's certainly out of synch at the plate to start out the season, no question about that.  I agree with tony&rodney, his swing is far too uppercut.  A better swing plane should bring him more consistent contact.  With his average exit velo and speed he should hit for a higher average than he has, but he doesn't walk nearly enough either.  After his completely dumba$$ baserunning the other game that resulted in the collision near second base I just threw up my hands and said "enough with this strategy to 'protect' him.  He can't be protected from himself!!"  Just put him in CF and give him the green light to steal with the instruction he is NOT allowed to slide headfirst (he's the worst, most awkward head first slider I've ever seen).  His speed is completely negated if we won't just give him the green light.  Good grief, we have ONE stolen base this year in a season that is finally seeing a revival of the stolen base.  There are teams who have more stolen bases than we even have ATTEMPTS!  

I will conclude my rant with this anecdote.  I was watching the Twins game today and I swear, shortly after Pagan was brought in to pitch after Maeda had to leave the game, our tornado awareness sirens had their test.  Tornado warning sirens blaring, Pagan did not disappoint.  I was glad I was sheltering in the southwest corner of my basement.   

There are 2 things that others have touched on that may bring some answers. #1, Maybe playing DH isn't the role for Buck. Maybe he needs to play defense to stay engaged offensively. #2, Maybe the lack of playing time against real opposing pitchers in spring training is showing up in April. Even Correa who didn't play much in ST is off to a slow start. Maybe the players you are counting on should actually play a decent number of games in ST so they are ready when the real games that count are played. No, it's just a coincidence. 

7 hours ago, bloggymcbloggerson said:

it's 1/10th of a season. we don't have to do this yet.

In 1966 the Twins were in a pennant race and Tony Oliva looked to be a lock for his 3rd consecutive batting title.  Late in the season Tony O went into a deep slump, costing him the title, and conceivably, the pennant for the Twins. (being their best player).

Many years later I found out Tony had been in a minor car accident and had suffered whiplash. Can you imagine trying to hit major league pitching when it hurts to turn your head? The results , in hindsight, weren't surprising. 

Now that I am older and realize that baseball players aren't supermen, I understand that performance will suffer when playing hurt. It just depends on the type, and amount, of injury. I look back on that year and ask myself: "why in hell was he being played with that injury? Surely someone else could have been in the lineup while he healed up."

It strikes me as nuts to play someone with that kind of injury. 

The series (day?) before the Yankees series Buxton suffered a collision with him landing hard on his shoulder

and head, twisting his neck. Since then he has hardly touched a pitch. (I think one hard hit ball-yesterday). To me it seems obvious he was injured in the collision. Possibly a neck injury. Of course he won't be able to hit with that kind of injury.. 

It strikes me as dumb to have played him while hurt. Not to mention a grave disservice to him both professionally and as a person.

batting order needs to be rearranged,Buxton can not bat behind a better hitter,pitchers know who is better dealing with

Gallo & Sano have the EXACT SAME career on base percentage.  But don't let facts get in the way of whatever point you're trying to make.

12 minutes ago, dxpavelka said:

Gallo & Sano have the EXACT SAME career on base percentage.  But don't let facts get in the way of whatever point you're trying to make.

 

I noted the eery similarity between Sano and Gallo when the Twins added Joey this winter. It is a little weird actually and a reason I wondered how the signing would work. However Gallo seems healthy and does add some versatility.

I think the post was positing whether Buxton was becoming too one dimensional and the mention of Gallo's OBP  as an improvement, while inaccurate for their careers, is not totally pertinent to the Buxton-Sano similarity as a DH thought. The fact that it is April makes this a pretty quick idea, particularly as Sano and Buxton are different types of players overall.

Good to note the OBP as a general thought on Gallo and Sano. It is hard to imagine that Sano couldn't get a look anywhere, which makes one wonder about his desire to actually play baseball professionally any longer. It is a grind.

Franmil Reyes is still playing.

8 hours ago, CarpetGuy said:

IMO, the slower start to his being productive may be  attributed to getting such a late start facing live Major League pitching.  I’m quite certain Buck is not happy with his performance so far either, but the FO has to accept responsibility for their “erring on the side of caution”.

 

When Buck had that collision at 2nd base, who on here didn't think "Well, he'll be out 'til September ...."

He's supposed to be a baseball player.  Defense was part of setting the price when the Twins signed him to the current contract.  IMO, he needs to be in the field.

Ted, I'm just glad this wasn't one of your Friday posts.

Buxton and Correa are both non - contributors at this point. Kepler too far too often. We need these guys.

Good analysis but doubtful Buxton is anything close to Sano  ...

It's a small sample size to 2023 season and something isn't clicking with Buxton  and as some has stated it hasn't clicked since he tumbled ...

Really we should be looking at the entire offense cause most of the offense isn't clicking ,,,

I looked up total team stats this morning and if memory serves me right ... 

175 strikeouts  give or take ...

Roughly 575 at bat's ... 

120 hits give or take  ...

20 homeruns  ...

11 doubles ... ( really  , this should be more than the homerun total ) 

75 rbi's  give or take ... 

Will the hitting heat up or will it have an explosive day and then a few mediocre  days in a row ...

Don't forget situational hitting as an accomplice  , something the coaches don't seem to emphasize  ...

I'm not complaining yet about Buxton  , I'm complaining on the entire offense  ...

3 run Homer's are game changers ...

Solo Homer's and strikeouts are not ...

Hitting Stats tell us what happens if a guy is in the batter's box.

A complete baseball player stands in the batter's box and then goes into the field.

A great ballplayer stands in the batter's box, goes into the field and does this consistently for years while producing results.

Byron Buxton is not a great ballplayer. He is, however, very well paid for a part time, over-hyped major leaguer. Kudos to him for maximizing his earning potential. He is far less of a contributor for this Twins team than most of the players that are on our roster. My personal (probably unpopular opinion) thoughts are that we should unload the guy (no-trade clause), but that seems very remotely possible.

GO TWINS!

Twins Geezer ... out. 

Buxton has some of the best foot speed in the league. He is maybe the best center fielder. He can steal bases with that great speed. The Twins utilize none of it, instead he's tooled into a hard swinging, frequent strike out guy. Guess it's all he can really do and why? BECAUSE HE WILL BE INJURED OTHERWISE. He is what he is I guess.

I would compare the “Buxton Situation” closer to what the Twins experienced with Mauer.  For us non-stat fans the excitement or expectations of having a superstar seem to be fading. 

1 hour ago, Jeff D. said:

Hitting Stats tell us what happens if a guy is in the batter's box.

A complete baseball player stands in the batter's box and then goes into the field.

A great ballplayer stands in the batter's box, goes into the field and does this consistently for years while producing results.

Byron Buxton is not a great ballplayer. He is, however, very well paid for a part time, over-hyped major leaguer. Kudos to him for maximizing his earning potential. He is far less of a contributor for this Twins team than most of the players that are on our roster. My personal (probably unpopular opinion) thoughts are that we should unload the guy (no-trade clause), but that seems very remotely possible.

GO TWINS!

Twins Geezer ... out. 

Or just let him play and whatever happens so be it.  Another couple years like this will be depressing for fans and Buxton too. 

12 hours ago, PDX Twin said:

Yes, he is becoming Sano, and it's the Twins' fault! He has tremendous skill, but power hitting is the only dimension that seems to interest the Twins. Sad! He's an exciting player being crippled by that philosophy. He should have signed somewhere where a team will utilize all of his skills. We get a few extra first-to-thirds from his speed, and an occasional infield hit or stretched-into-double. But really, he might as well run like Sano if he's not going to play in the field or try to steal bases.

lol, it's not the Twin's fault.  Why is it always the team's fault and not the player's fault? or both?  I mean the player is the one swinging the bat and playing defense in the field.  Ultimately, it's their decision making when game time rolls.  Sano is the perfect example of this.  He was un-coachable, so in reality it WASN'T the Twins fault in that situation at least not entirely.