The Twins’ top prospect, Byron Buxton, is amongst a trio of the team’s prospects returning to the Arizona Fall League. The rosters were announced Tuesday and Buxton’s name was included on the list.
Prospects Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler will also return. The list also includes pitchers Jason Adam, Nick Burdi, Mason Melotakis and Taylor Rogers.
Buxton, who is regarded as the top prospect in baseball, missed a large portion of the season because of wrist injuries. Then in his first game at Double-A New Britain he was involved in a horrific collision in right center field and suffered a concussion that ended his season.
Buxton, who only had 124 at bats during the season, will be trying to make up for lost time.
“I’m just trying to go there and catch up on some at-bats, trying to do well and try and get my swing back. I want to go there and see what happens.
It’s very important, especially if you want to move up the ladder, you have to get the at-bats in, the experience. I’m just trying to slow it down, be patient and disciplined and try to move past the injuries that happened this year.”
Buxton is continuing to rehab from the concussion. Including him on the roster means the Twins feel Buxton will be ready to play by then.
Byron Buxton on Arizona Fall League roster for the #MNTwins. Means he's making good progress in his return from his concussion.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 26, 2014
Rosario missed the first two months of the season for a 50-game suspension after he tested positive for a drug of abuse.
He spent the majority of the year at New Britain and his production has been a little disappointing. The Twins are hopeful another trip to Arizona, along with his return to the Puerto Rican Winter League, will help him turn it around.
Kepler spent much of his season at Class A Ft. Myers. He had a slow start but has surged late in the season.
According to the Pioneer Press, the Twins haven’t announced their final pitching spot yet.
The Twins’ prospects are assigned to the Salt River Rafters along with players from the Marlins, Astros, Rockies and D-backs.
