Article: That's The Ticket: Buxton's Home Debut

[Nick Nelson]

There are a number of reasons to make the trip out to Target Field for this week's short two-game set against the Cardinals. It's an important series against the best team in baseball with temps in the 70s.

 

But let's be real, you're going because this is your first chance to see Byron Buxton live in a big-league uniform. Ticket King has got you covered.The Twins announced Buxton's promotion from Double-A on Saturday afternoon, and he made his MLB debut in Texas on Sunday, finishing 0-for-4 but scoring the game-winning run when he raced around to score from first on an Eddie Rosario double into the gap.

 

Now, after playing three games on the road, Buxton arrives in Minnesota to play in front of home fans at Target Field for the first time. The momentous event is expected to draw huge crowds on Wednesday and Thursday. Will you be among them?

 

Triple Threat

 

At the time he was called up, Buxton led all of pro baseball with a whopping 12 triples for Chattanooga, so it's only fitting that his first major-league hit on Monday was a three-bagger. It was no cheapie either, but a standup triple hit to left center. Those are rare, but not for this 21-year-old, who gets from home plate to third base as quickly as anyone you've ever seen:

 

With its cavernous power alleys, Target Field is well suited for a triples-hitter like Buxton, so we could very well see him pick up another one during this short series.

 

The Tool Shed

 

The "triple threat" term applies in more than way for this budding star, because Buxton can hurt the opposition in three distinct ways: at the plate, on the base paths and in the field.

 

In parts of four minor-league seasons, he was 92-for-118 on stolen base attempts, including 20-for-22 this year at Double-A. Paul Molitor, who is a noted baserunning guru, has already shown a willingness to give Buxton the green light, so expect to see the young speedster take off if he reaches first base.

 

Defensively, Buxton already has the ability to rank among the league's elite thanks to his instincts, speed, arm and flair for the dramatic. In the spacious center field at Minnesota's home yard, you might see him do something like this:

 

 

 

Hitting is probably Buxton's least developed skill out of the three at this point, and we've seen that a little bit with him flailing at some tough breaking balls in his first few games. But he had a .296/.380/.486 line in the minors and he has a penchant for finding the gaps with line drives. When he does so, get ready to watch him fly.

 

Speed Thrills

 

It's always exciting when a top prospect gets called up, but Buxton is truly a different breed. Chances are you've never seen a ballplayer move like this before. His speed rates as an 80 on a 20-80 scale and many scouts have remarked that he's the fastest specimen they have encountered. And while it's fun to watch him dart across a TV screen, to get the full effect you really need to see him run in person. It is a sight to behold.

 

PITCHING MATCH-UPS

 

Wednesday, 7:10 PM: Carlos Martinez vs. Tommy Milone

 

Milone, coming off a brilliant effort against the Rangers last Friday, is an extreme fly ball pitcher who generally allows a lot of contact, so Buxton figures to see some action in center field during this game. Young Buck will have his work cut out for him at the plate against Martinez, a hard-throwing righty who leans heavily on a nasty slider, and owns a 0.80 ERA over his last five starts.

 

Forecast (courtesy Weather.com): High of 74, chance of storms

 

Thursday, 12:10 PM: Jaime Garcia vs. Mike Pelfrey

 

Garcia is a left-hander, albeit not one with much of a platoon split. Buxton was cranking against southpaws in Double-A prior to his call-up, with a .341 average and .537 slugging percentage. Unless he faces a lefty reliever on Tuesday night, this will be Buxton's first opportunity to face a portsider in the majors. Meanwhile, Pelfrey is looking to rebound from his worst start of the season.

 

Forecast: High of 78, mostly sunny

 

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[Brock Beauchamp]

I like the enthusiasm.

 

Byron Buxton is coming!

 

...

 

And the rest of the Twins are also playing. I think. Not really sure.

 

Who cares?

 

Byron Buxton is coming!

[Nick Nelson]

Ha, I chose a specific focus and stuck with it.

 

Also I honestly think the Twins are going to have a very tough time winning either of these games. Those pitching match-ups are... unfavorable. 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Oh, I get it... I'm just taking a swipe at the rest of the Twins roster, who have (mostly) been varying levels of unwatchable in June.

[DaveW]

The Twins are over due for a big offensive game, I think Buxton shines tonight and the Twins follow suit.