It seems likely that Major League Baseball will release another All-Star ballot update this week, and the hope is that Byron Buxton isn't ignored. In the first update revealed last week, Buxton was far from the top group of American League outfielders receiving votes. As a whole, while the Twins' 2025 season seems to have gone off the rails, Buxton has been the silver lining, proving to baseball that he is one of the game's best players once healthy.
Finally healthy, Buxton is in the middle of what projects to be the best season of his Major League career. Of course, with Buxton, the biggest issue has always been availability as the center fielder has only played in 100 games in a season twice through his 11-year career. Knock on wood, but the 2025 season should add another season to that list.
Entering play on Monday, Buxton is slashing .285/.353/.575/155 wRC+ with 17 home runs. Buxton is well on his way to setting a new career-high in home runs, the previous mark sitting at 28 from his 2022 season. Buxton's power has seen an uptick in the past week, as his two-home-run game against the Milwaukee Brewers on Sunday was his second multi-homer game in the past week.
Twins’ Byron Buxton is finally healthy — and being totally overlooked
Through 60 games played this season, Buxton is currently carrying a 3.1 fWAR. That is the primary reason why it makes no sense for Buxton to be snubbed in All-Star voting. Among American League outfielders, there is only one player ahead of Buxton in fWAR, and it's the player who will be the MVP in Aaron. Judge's fWAR on the season currently sits at 6.0. After Buxton, the next closest outfielder is Riley Greene with a 2.6 fWAR.
Buxton's 2025 season is proof of the player Twins fans have always known he is when he is healthy and on the field. However, it's being ignored on a national level, and it doesn't make any sense. Of course, had the Twins continued their hot play from last month, chances are Buxton's season would be getting the attention it deserves. Nevertheless, it's something Twins fans can cling to as they prepare for what might be a selling season at the trade deadline next month.