Twins Tidbit: Byron Buxton is Outperforming ... Byron Buxton

Buxton is performing right where I'd expect him to perform. 5-6 WAR across a full season. Right now, Buxton has played in 46 of 63 games placing him at about a 120 game pace this year. More than I would have expected, but I'll happily take it!

In 61 games last season, Buck had 4.5 WAR. He isn’t outperforming that this year, although if he does get into 120 games, he’ll easily eclipse that 4.5 aggregate WAR total. 
 

Since the start of 2021, his HR frequency is on top of the charts, but the OBP and slugging are down from last season. He’s been basically an “all or nothing at all” hitter this year. 
 

To me, he’s only using a fraction of his skills and yet he’s a very good baseball player. I want to add that load management and injury are why  he’s only using a fraction of his skills, not lack of effort or anything else. 

It just doesn't seem to me that he looks like he's really completely got his legs healthy yet. He seems to be hesitant to turn on the jets like we have seen in the past. Anyone else notice this? I haven't heard if he is still having "lower body" issues, or have I missed it?

5 hours ago, Karbo said:

It just doesn't seem to me that he looks like he's really completely got his legs healthy yet. He seems to be hesitant to turn on the jets like we have seen in the past. Anyone else notice this? I haven't heard if he is still having "lower body" issues, or have I missed it?

I think it's pretty much a given.