Spring Training 2015: When Will We See Buxton and Sano?

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder

Byron Buxton

plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

As the Minnesota Twins have struggled to four consecutive 90 loss seasons, the familiar refrain has been that hope is on the horizon. The Twins’ farm system is well-regarded in general, but much of the hype and hope is squarely centered on two prospects: Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano.

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Both players had worked their way through the lower ranks of the Twins’ system their first couple seasons but last season represented a major setback for both. Sano experienced discomfort in his elbow last spring. After attempting to play with it and strengthen it, he ultimately required Tommy John Surgery, a rarity for a position player. His entire 2014 season was a washout.

Buxton’s 2014 did not go much better. Between nagging wrist issues, a concussion after a collision with a teammate in the outfield and a fractured finger, Buxton spent more time in the ice tub than on the diamond last season.

Both Buxton and Sano are healthy this spring and started Spring Training with the Big League club, although there was never a chance of either breaking camp with the Twins. Neither player was able to get any significant playing time in 2014. They will both have to suit up for the Chattanooga Lookouts to start the season, play every day and make up for lost time.

Mike Berardino of the St. Paul Pioneer Press caught up with Twins General Manager Terry Ryan to discuss a few of the franchise’s top prospects. As for Buxton, he had this to say:

"“He needs to do down and get some playing time. I think everybody’s aware, he got some time here but we need to get him going. He’ll need regular playing time, four at-bats a day, center field every day.”"

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Even though the Twins are not expected to contend in 2014, the worst thing they could do is throw Buxton or Sano out there in a Major League setting before they are prepared. Hitting a baseball being pitched by major league pitchers requires confidence. The best thing they can do is get them as many at-bats as possible to build that confidence up.

One of the biggest reasons the Twins brought Torii Hunter back into the fold was to mentor Buxton and Aaron Hicks. Tyler Mason of Fox Sports North caught up with Buxton recently to ask him about Hunter. Here is what he had to say:

"“He told me a lot. I guess just come out every day and compete. Don’t let bad days get you down, because you’ve got to come back out the next day and do the same thing over and over. Just keep your head up high and keep going.”"

What everyone here in Twins Territory wants to know is when will we finally see Buxton, Sano and the other top prospects in the organization. Based on the time missed and service time considerations, we should not expect to see either player in Minneapolis for the first half of 2015. If one or both start tearing up AA pitching though, an August call-up from AA straight to the majors is a possibility, in the same vein as Kennys Vargas last season. The other possibility would be a September call up when the rosters expand.

This market has watched a lot of losing baseball the past several seasons. Buxton and Sano represent a hope that the bad times will eventually end. Here’s hoping that becomes a reality sooner rather than later.

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