Top 25 MLB players to watch in October

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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 14: Kennys Vargas #19 and Eddie Rosario #20 of the Minnesota Twins congratulate teammate Byron Buxton #25 on a walk-off solo home run against the Toronto Blue Jays after the game on September 14, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The Twins defeated the Blue Jays 3-2 in ten innings. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

11. Byron Buxton

The Minnesota Twins are creeping up on a playoff spot thanks to the explosion of former consensus top prospect Byron Buxton. The center fielder has flipped the switch and has been one of the best hitters in the league since the Fourth of July. Already among the best defenders in the game, Buxton’s newfound offense makes him a fringe MVP candidate.

Since July, Buxton has batted .330/.376/.589 with 11 home runs and 13 stolen bases. In their wildest dreams, the Twins could not have imagined Buxton turning in this type of second half. He was a .200 hitter for the entire year leading up to his breakthrough. There are still things Buxton needs to work on at the plate, like patience, but all in all, he looks like a future All-Star and possible MVP.

The Twins will enter the playoffs with the lowest chance of making it to the World Series of all the teams in the bracket. They will need a huge game out of Buxton to get past the Wild Card round and into the ALDS where they will also be huge underdogs. Even if the Twins do go one and done in the playoffs, Buxton will find a way to impact the game, be it with his glove, bat or legs.

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