It’s been a rollercoaster ride for the once highly touted Byron Buxton since his first stint with the Twins in 2015.
In 2016, Buxton was up and down from Triple-A before finishing strong with a monster September where he hit .287 and slugged 9 home runs.
He’s always shown prowess roaming center field where his speed and glove are his most consistent assets. But can you remember the last time the Twins had a consistent two-way center fielder? Torii Hunter is the name you’re trying to think of.
Buxton’s rollercoaster ride has continued in 2017, seeing him start the year as manager Paul Molitor’s No. 3 hitter until an alarming strikeout rate forced the Twins to drop him in the order. His first four games featured one hit and 11 strikeouts in 18 at-bats.
His next 49 at-bats resulted in only 4 hits, 2 walks and a stunning 24 more strikeouts. Buxton’s average was hovering below the .100 mark until the third week of April.
That’s when he got hot.
Entering play on April 21, Buxton has nearly doubled his average from .096 to .188 and he’s really starting to click in May.
Through the first nine days this month, Buxton is hitting .343 with a Aaron Hicks-like 1.059 OPS.
Those are numbers Twins fans could get used to.
