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Byron Buxton’s Triple-A Vacation Paid Off

By Paul Bellesen

Jun 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a single in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. The Rays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 3, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) hits a single in the seventh inning against the Tampa Bay Rays at Target Field. The Rays won 4-2. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports /
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Byron Buxton’s time down in Triple-A Rochester has paid off and it looks like his swing and confidence are back.

After Danny Santana went down, and Byron Buxton was on a tear with the Twins Triple-A affiliate in Rochester, the Twins decided it was time to bring him back up. So far, it looks like that was the right decision.

The Twins had high expectations for Buxton coming into this season, in which he was the number one ranked prospect again. After starting the season with a .156 batting average, some were starting to lose faith in him being able to find his way in the big leagues.

After being sent down to Triple-A Rochester, Buxton had one goal, find his swing. We all know he has the defensive ability and speed. Finding his swing is exactly what he did. Buxton started off hot right away. In his time in Rochester, he hit six home runs, with nine doubles, and two triples. He ended his time in Rochester with a batting average of .336 and 14 runs batted in.

If not for Danny Santana going down, the Twins might have kept Buxton down for a little longer. With the way things fell, it seems like the time was right.

Since coming back up, Buxton has played in six games. He has been hot the whole time. Buxton has posted a batting average of .435. In 23 at bats, Buxton has 10 hits. No home runs, yet, but he has one double and two triples. Including this triple that shows the dangerous speed Buxton has.

Buxton has a slugging percentage of .652, an OBP of .417, and an OPS of 1.069. If Buxton can continue this streak, he will move up the lineup.

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Finally, Byron Buxton has shown us the player we all knew he could be. It seems as if he is putting it together. He has been one of the bright spots of the Twins play as of late. It looks as if his time down in Triple-A was a smart move and has paid off so far.

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