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AL Wild Card 2017: 5 reasons Twins will win

By Joshua Sadlock

DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 21: Zack Granite #8 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates with teammates Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins after a 12-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 21, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - SEPTEMBER 21: Zack Granite #8 of the Minnesota Twins celebrates with teammates Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins and Max Kepler #26 of the Minnesota Twins after a 12-1 win over the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on September 21, 2017 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Duane Burleson/Getty Images) /
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MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 17: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins hits an RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays in his second at bat of the second inning of the game on September 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – SEPTEMBER 17: Byron Buxton #25 of the Minnesota Twins hits an RBI double against the Toronto Blue Jays in his second at bat of the second inning of the game on September 17, 2017 at Target Field in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /

1. Byron Buxton has arrived

Without the ascension of Byron Buxton, the Twins may not even be in this position. The light finally went on in the second half for the former top prospect who was hitting .216/.288/.306 at the All-Star Break. The 23-year-old center fielder has shed the bust label quite emphatically over his past 50-plus games.

Buxton hit over .300 in the second half with an OPS over .900 and a slugging percentage higher than Yankees rookie phenom Aaron Judge. Combine that offensive leap with the fact that Buxton may be the best overall defensive player in the game, and you have the makings of an MVP candidate.

August was Buxton’s real breakout month. While he slowed in September, it was only slightly. He ends the season as a 5.0-WAR player who barely hit above the Mendoza Line for the first three months of the year. Buxton’s ceiling is incredible, and he is only beginning to scratch the surface.

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With no guarantee that Miguel Sano will be able to contribute in the playoffs after missing over a month, the Twins will need Buxton to have a huge game in the Wild Card Game to have any shot at taking down the Yankees. That does not mean he has to go 3-for-4 with two home runs. Buxton’s game is special in that he can have an impact with his legs, glove or arm. He is the best five-tool player in the AL Wild Card Game.

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