Minnesota Twins: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not, Early Season Edition

There was a lot of hype surrounding Byron Buxton this year, but he has yet to find his stride.

It’s not that Twins’ fans expected Buxton to be the best of hitters, but a batting average of .088 is disappointing no matter the expectations. While his fielding has been fantastic, Byron Buxton has looked completely lost at the plate.

Not only does Buxton have the worst batting average on the team, but he also leads the team in strikeouts. He has struck out 19 times in only 34 at bats. His patience at the plate is also in question, as he has only been walked once in 8 games played.

I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon saying that Buxton should be sent back down to the minors

I haven’t jumped on the bandwagon saying that Buxton should be sent back down to the minors, though. While his hitting has been atrocious, his fielding and speed are a nice addition to the team.

Against the Tigers on April 13, Byron bunted in a base hit, stole second and ended up scoring. A role like that for the young Center Fielder could suit him well.

The fact is, even with the struggles at the plate by Buxton, the Twins are 6-3. I’d be lying if I said Buxton didn’t help Minnesota to get there at all. He has saved several doubles and runs with some great plays in center field. But if he wants to continue to start and get a chance to contribute, Buxton needs to find a way to start getting on base, where his speed can be lethal.