Byron Buxton played for the 2015 Lookouts until called up by Minnesota last June.
photo by Tim Evearitt
Spring Training will open in less than a month when the pitchers and catchers report. Former Lookout outfielder Byron Buxton heads to Sarasota where the Twins train. The organization is hoping that the 22-year old will be their center fielder for a very long time
Buxton's first trip to the Major Leagues was underwhelming to say the least.
In 138 plate appearances he fanned 44 times, his slash line was a meager .209/.250/.326 with 2 home runs and 6 RBI. Ten of his hits went for extra bases. He appeared over matched at the Major League level. At 21, he was showing great promise splitting time between AA and AAA with a slash line of .305/.367/.500 in 327 plate appearances. He had 10 doubles, 13 triples, 7 home runs 45 RBI with 22 stolen bases.
Buxton is expected to be the Twins everyday centerfielder in 2016. The trade of Aaron Hicks to the New York Yankees cleared the path for him to play everyday. Buxton will work on not expanding the strike zone, and to punish pitches leftover the plate. Not only is he the Twins top prospect, he is the top prospect in all of baseball.
"I worked hard this offseason and probably harder than I worked the last three," said Buxton, who is on his first Twins Winter Caravan. "I just want to be prepared and stay healthy. That's my biggest goal. That's my biggest key this year. I feel like I have to go out there and prove myself and go out there and take it."
MLB.com called him the "epitome of a five-tool player." He is considered a plus defender in centerfield, which will make the Twins defense solid up the middle. Expect things to be different the next time through the league. A solid work ethic should help the young outfielder through the growing pains as a Major League baseball player.
Source: Sportsblog, MLB.com