I agree, his defense is amazing.

Let's get that other important element working too.

If you can't hit, the best you'll be is a defensive backup. Hardly worthy of a #2 pick overall.

29 extra outs per season is great.. It doesn't make up for the outs he gives away at the plate. It won't take much improvement at the plate to turn him into a solid player, and a lot of improvement makes him a star. I hope he figures it out.

There's only three comments on this, and the amount of detraction towards him as a player because of his offense is already too much. Sure, he had a terrible 2018, but that was a total of 28 games.

The guy received MVP votes last year and hit for only a portion of it. Does he need to hit better than he did in 28 games this season? Certainly, but that's beyond obvious.

My detraction is based on about 1,000 at-bats.  He had two MVP months, he's had nearly a dozen months as a big leaguer where he was scraping for a .500 OPS.

Sure, Buxton is the best outfielder in the majors, but I'll bet he can't kick a football 40 yards. He's worthless.

Bunt some Buck. 

Can't wait for next's week's version of the "Buxton's 2017 was INCREDIBLE!" article.

I appreciate your articles, Ted. But the timing of this one hits a sore spot for me (and expect others - thus the comments above).

We as fans have heard enough about his defense. The team needs him to be an all-around player. I don't need metrics to tell me no matter how great he is in CF, if he's a bottom-5 MLB hitter, then the team will never reach its potential.

But the timing of this one hits a sore spot for me (and expect others - thus the comments above).

 

We as fans have heard enough about his defense. The team needs him to be an all-around player. I don't need metrics to tell me no matter how great he is in CF, if he's a bottom-5 MLB hitter, then the team will never reach its potential.

Unfortunately, I can't control when Statcast releases new information, but find the numbers intriguing.

Continuing to suggest he needs to hit is stating the obvious. Noting how exceptional someone is, when it's really that extraordinary, is interesting I guess. On top of that, bat or not, his absence has been felt heavily throughout the Twins pitching exploits this season.

There's only three comments on this, and the amount of detraction towards him as a player because of his offense is already too much. Sure, he had a terrible 2018, but that was a total of 28 games.

 

The guy received MVP votes last year and hit for only a portion of it. Does he need to hit better than he did in 28 games this season? Certainly, but that's beyond obvious.

His career OPS is 672...and that represents a very clear boundary on his greatness.

If we attribute the difference of 22 DRS to Buxton alone...that amounts to 2 wins.  If Buxton is going to be OPS+'ing 80 (or less), it won't take much for an average defensive player to make up the 2 wins in the batters box.

The defensive stats are cool...they just don't have the value that is often insinuated as part of Buxton conversations.  Even center fielders have to hit some to have value.

Having said that, if Buxton could OPS+ a consistent 90, he'd have a lot of value.  Think somewhere between Gary Pettis and Paul Blair.  And I still think it's realistic that he can do that.

Sorry, but I cannot help but roll my eyes at the title of this article.

Buxton will be given every opportunity available. He has the ability to seek advice and work with people like Torii Hunter, Rod Carew, Tony Oliva. And that's just with the Twins.