Byron Buxton Most Likely Won’t Play Again This Season
The New Britain Rock Cats have 15.5 games left of their season of Double-A ball, but don’t expect Byron Buxton to be in the lineup for any of those contests. GM Terry Ryan said before the Minnesota Twins game on Monday, that it isn’t expected that the top prospect will take the field again this season.
Byron Buxton (concussion) isn't expected to play in the Minors again this season, per Terry Ryan. Hopeful for Arizona Fall League.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) August 18, 2014
This comes after last Wednesday when Buxton collided with a teammate in the outfield and was diagnosed with a concussion. The concussion occurred during Buxton’s first game at Double-A.
2014 was supposed to be the Major League debut seasons for Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton, but 2014 has become a lost season for both. Sano has missed all season after Tommy John surgery and Buxton has been out a good chunk of the season with various injuries as well.
Buxton only appeared in 31 ballgames throughout the minor league season this year, 30 of those being at Single-A Fort Myers. At Single-A this year Buxton hit .240/.313/.405 with 16 RBI, four home runs, four doubles and two triples. This all in only 19 hits in 121 at-bats/134 plate appearances. Buxton also walked 10 times and stole six bases (caught twice).
The injuries have pushed back the Twins plan back to prominence by another year, if not more. A hopeful trip to the Arizona Fall League for Buxton might jumpstart the plan back to being somewhat on track.