MLB Playoffs 2017: 5 reasons Twins will make it

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 12: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins runs the bases against the San Diego Padres during the game on September 12, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Padres 16-0. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

2. Byron Buxton’s star turn

Any baseball fan with even the remotest interest in prospects and the minor leagues has been hearing about Byron Buxton for close to five years at this point. Buxton had been the consensus top hitting prospect in the game, but the results at the MLB level were incredibly underwhelming for the first two-plus years of his career with the Twins.

On July 3, Buxton’s slash line bottomed out at .195/.272/.280. In 78 games, he had struck out 82 times and had only 11 extra-base hits and 14 RBI. On the Fourth of July, the center fielder picked up his second three-hit game of the year and has been off to the races ever since.

In 48 games since July 4, Buxton has slashed .333/.376/.614 with five doubles, five triples, 11 home runs, 30 RBI and 11 stolen bases. He has brought his season line all the way up to .253/.315/.420, which combined with his league-best defense in center field, has made him a 5.0-WAR player according to Baseball-Reference.

Buxton has become the superstar the Twins have not had since the glory days of Joe Mauer, with even more overall impact on the game. He has distanced himself from Kevin Pillar and Kevin Kiermaier in the debate over the best defensive outfielder in the league by a wide margin. After nearly three years spent finding his swing in the big leagues, Buxton is living up to his full potential and the results have been spectacular to watch.

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