Byron Buxton key to Minnesota Twins' 2024 hopes
Byron Buxton is happy and healthy, and the Minnesota Twins may be even more ecstatic than Buxton himself.
The oft-injured Buxton has been a dilemma for the Twins. He is an impressive talent on the diamond when healthy, one of the best true five-tool players that the majors has to offer. The problem is that he is typically on the Injured List, having appeared in over 100 games just once in his major league career.
There is hope this will change in 2024. Do-Hyoung Park from MLB.com reported that Buxton may be the happiest person in the Twins' clubhouse after reporting to spring training on Saturday. He is excited to be back in the outfield, having a normal spring training and no longer relegated to the designated hitter spot.
His balky knee was a factor in his disappointing 2023 season. Buxton produced a .207/.294/.438 batting line in his 347 plate appearances, hitting 17 homers and 17 doubles. He was unable to make the type of contact the Twins were accustomed to, his 45.7% hard-hit rate his lowest since 2019.
Having Buxton in the lineup, even if he is not entirely healthy, is important to the Twins' chances in the AL Central this season. He has been a key to their success, with the Twins posting a .545 winning percentage in the 670 games Buxton has played. In the 686 games he has missed, the Twins have a .459 winning percentage. If Buxton can play all 162 games, that .545 winning percentage would equate to 88 wins.
The Twins cannot expect Buxton to be in the lineup every day. He will need time off to stay healthy and the occasional maintenance day. However, a healthy Buxton could mean approximately 85 wins on the season. That could be enough to win the division - if he stays healthy. Right now, there is reason for the Twins to hope that will be the case.
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