Twins Prospects: Who Gets The Call, And When?

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Buxton (Late 2015)

Buxton’s timeline is dependent upon quite a few differing factors, and some of them may be out of his control. Currently, Buxton is not on the 40 man roster for the Twins, and is a non roster invite to Spring Training. He will get experience facing major league talent down in Fort Myers, and the Twins hope would be that he would be able to springboard from there into Double-A.

Last season was essentially a wasted year for the top prospect. He played in only on game at the Double-A level, despite being realistically projected to spend the year there. In 2015, he will begin in Chattanooga with Doug Mientkiewicz, and will be monitored in hopes of being an option for the Twins.

Should Aaron Hicks figure things out at the plate for the Twins, he will likely give the Twins time to so play Buxton and make sure he gets the necessary at bats to feel comfortable before his call up. If Hicks struggles, or the injury bug bites the Twins outfield too hard, Minnesota may be forced to make different arrangements.

I think Hicks finally puts some things together this year and is an asset to the Twins. That being said, Buxton still would be slated to get his cup of coffee late in the season. In the most ideal situation, the Twins would promote Buxton during September, should things go wrong, we could see him as soon as late July or early August.