Article: Passing The Torch

[Nick Nelson]

Byron Buxton hit his first Triple-A home run on Sunday afternoon, and later delivered a walk-off hit in the 12th inning, finishing 3-for-6 to raise his batting average to .404.

 

The rise of the 21-year-old phenom has coincided with the decline – and gradual phasing out – of 40-year-old Torii Hunter in Minnesota. And in many ways, that's fitting.While Buxton was pushing his hitting streak in the minors to 11 games on Sunday, Hunter was sitting for the Twins, again. The veteran has been out of the starting lineup for six of Minnesota's last 18 games. It's not clear whether the increased rest is more attributable to Hunter's performance or his physical state, but I suspect the two are closely tied together.

 

To his credit, Hunter had a very nice first half for the Twins, and his monster month of May was a big factor in the team rattling off 20 wins.

 

Since the end of May, however, Hunter has hit .206/.262/.388, and since his 40th birthday on July 18th he's batting .156. Outside of one strong game in Cleveland in which he went 3-for-5 with a homer, he is 1-for-31 in the month of August.

 

Frequent days off should continue to be routine for Hunter the rest of the way, perhaps even more so as the season winds down, and that will set the stage nicely for Buxton to gain experience as a September call-up as he prepares to take the reins as everyday center fielder in 2016.

 

The expectation is that Buxton will rejoin the Twins when rosters expand – maybe on September 1st or maybe a week later when the Red Wings season ends. Buck might not play every day, and doesn't need to, but should get plenty of time in center with Aaron Hicks spelling Hunter and Eddie Rosario in the outfield corners. The benefit there is twofold, because Hicks needs to get used to playing in left and right if he's going to stick around in Minnesota.

 

At this point there's little reason to have Hunter as a daily fixture in the lineup, and Paul Molitor already appears to be acknowledging that based on his usage patterns.

 

But the wizened vet will still be present in the clubhouse, and that was at least a part of his perceived value to the Twins, who paid a hefty price to bring him aboard for one year. I have to imagine that having three young outfielders like Buxton, Rosario and Hicks playing alongside one another in September while having access to Hunter's influence is what Terry Ryan envisioned when he offered the contract.

 

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[jimbo92107]

When September rolls around I'm hoping to see one more guy join the Three Musketeers, to form The Fantastic Four Outfielders. Talkin' Der Kid, the Keplermeister. Maximus Ohreallyus Keplermundo. Four men, accidentally exposed to cosmic rays, and now exhibiting strange baseball super powers. Watch as these young heroes defend the honor of the Northland... Ford dealerships, in their quest for the legendary, um, cup or something. He shoots he scores!

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

I think that it would only be to Buxtons overall benefit to be in the majors as long as possible to end this season, even if he doesn't start next season in the majors. He needs to know what its like at that level, and then let it marinade over the offseason. 

[Charliemurphy]

I think before the end of the month Hunter will end up on the 15 day DL with some sort of ailment. It would allow Buxton to come up and play every day while Hunter could still be in the dugout every day and traveling with the team to work with the younger players. If the Twins did make the playoff's both players could be on the Playoff roster if Buxton is here prior to September 1st.

[jimmer]

I see a movie in the near future :-)

[stringer bell]

The optimum thing would be to go back to 12 pitchers, adding Buxton for a pitcher. That could be accomplished as soon as the end of the Yankee series, if the Twins starters go deep in games.

[tobi0040]

I am not sure why we would wait until the AAA season ends. Not the right priority IMO.

[DaveW]

I'm not sure what else he needs to do at AAA at this point, he should be up ASAP for one of the 13 pitchers the Twins have on the roster.

[twinssouth]

When September rolls around I'm hoping to see one more guy join the Three Musketeers, to form The Fantastic Four Outfielders. Talkin' Der Kid, the Keplermeister. Maximus Ohreallyus Keplermundo. Four men, accidentally exposed to cosmic rays, and now exhibiting strange baseball super powers. Watch as these young heroes defend the honor of the Northland... Ford dealerships, in their quest for the legendary, um, cup or something. He shoots he scores!

 

 

Spot on Spot on Maestro. We're only 1.5 games back from 2 nd wild card. Seems to me you get your best players up to make a run at this. It's the young guys that are doing it now. Get Bux back up to man Center move Hicks over to right to use that cannon and bring up Der Kep to play outfield and 1st. The awesome Foursome will lead us to the promise land.

[twinsnorth49]

 

I'm not sure what else he needs to do at AAA at this point, he should be up ASAP for one of the 13 pitchers the Twins have on the roster.

Something.....something....curveballs, I think. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/confused/dunno-smiley-emoticon.gif

[Headfirst]

I would be curious to know what types of pitches Buxton has been seeing in Rochester.  Would hope that he has been learning to hit (or even make contact) with good curve balls.  Get him back up ASAP and see if he's made improvements.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Something.....something....curveballs, I think. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/confused/dunno-smiley-emoticon.gif

So you're saying Buxton should be brought back up AAA-sap? 

[HitInAPinch]

 

 

The expectation is that Buxton will rejoin the Twins when rosters expand – maybe on September 1st or maybe a week later when the Red Wings season ends. Buck might not play every day, and doesn't need to, but should get plenty of time in center with Aaron Hicks spelling Hunter and Eddie Rosario in the outfield corners. The benefit there is twofold, because Hicks needs to get used to playing in left and right if he's going to stick around in Minnesota.
 

What?!?!?  What have you got against Hicks?  Has he not consistently continued to develop this year into a player that is deserving of regular playing time in CF?

 

ATM:  Buxton is well deserving of a Sept call-up.  Reasons:

1. You don't take a player on an incredible hot streak away from an MiLB affiliate prior to their playoffs.  As an organizational man, would you want a lot of empty seats in Rochester?  How mad would the locals be?
2. 11 games, 47 AB's.  Not sure on what sample size is appropriate..........

This has been a great discovery year for the Twins, giving them a clear picture of what they have and what they need.  I don't really expect them to be in the hunt after this next set of series.  Let Buxton hang out in Rochester and pad his stats.  In Sept, since there's a lot more roster room, bring him up with ABW, Kepler, among others.  They're the one's that get to rotate, for what he has done this year, Aaron Hicks is the deserving starter.

Edited August 17, 2015 by HitInAPinch

[nytwinsfan]

 

What?!?!?  What have you got against Hicks?  Has he not consistently continued to develop this year into a player that is deserving of regular playing time in CF?

 

ATM:  Buxton is well deserving of a Sept call-up.  Reasons:

1. You don't take a player on an incredible hot streak away from an MiLB affiliate prior to their playoffs.  As an organizational man, would you want a lot of empty seats in Rochester?  How mad would the locals be?
2. 11 games, 47 AB's.  Not sure on what sample size is appropriate..........

This has been a great discovery year for the Twins, giving them a clear picture of what they have and what they need.  I don't really expect them to be in the hunt after this next set of series.  Let Buxton hang out in Rochester and pad his stats.  In Sept, since there's a lot more roster room, bring him up with ABW, Kepler, among others.  They're the one's that get to rotate, for what he has done this year, Aaron Hicks is the deserving starter.

 

Hicks makes some highlight-worthy plays, but he also makes some huge blunders. As just one example, he gave up a "triple" (really it was an error) in the second inning of May's start that would have been easily caught by most CF, because he misplayed it.  Then the next batter hit a 2 run homer.  He's far from a perfect defender, and he's not as fast as Buxton. Buxton has more defensive upside, so assuming he is hitting well enough to be in the lineup, he should be playing CF.

[tobi0040]

 

Hicks makes some highlight-worthy plays, but he also makes some huge blunders. As just one example, he gave up a "triple" (really it was an error) in the second inning of May's start that would have been easily caught by most CF, because he misplayed it.  Then the next batter hit a 2 run homer.  He's far from a perfect defender, and he's not as fast as Buxton. Buxton has more defensive upside, so assuming he is hitting well enough to be in the lineup, he should be playing CF.

 

I was at the game, that was a truly brutal play in CF.

[Badsmerf]

 

What?!?!?  What have you got against Hicks?  Has he not consistently continued to develop this year into a player that is deserving of regular playing time in CF?

 

ATM:  Buxton is well deserving of a Sept call-up.  Reasons:

1. You don't take a player on an incredible hot streak away from an MiLB affiliate prior to their playoffs.  As an organizational man, would you want a lot of empty seats in Rochester?  How mad would the locals be?
2. 11 games, 47 AB's.  Not sure on what sample size is appropriate..........

This has been a great discovery year for the Twins, giving them a clear picture of what they have and what they need.  I don't really expect them to be in the hunt after this next set of series.  Let Buxton hang out in Rochester and pad his stats.  In Sept, since there's a lot more roster room, bring him up with ABW, Kepler, among others.  They're the one's that get to rotate, for what he has done this year, Aaron Hicks is the deserving starter.

Hicks is living off a .417 BABIP against LHP. That, is completely unsustainable. Once those numbers decline, his .634 OPS against RHP will carry a lot more weight. Plus, Buxton is by far a better defender. 

 

I'll take Buxton right now, all day long. 

[wagwan]

I think the best players should be on the major league roster as long as there is a chance to make the playoffs. Sorry Rochester and Chattanooga, but you have to make a run for it when you get the chance. Buxton, Berrios and Kepler would help the major league team win. Once you are in the playoffs, anything can happen. The Twins have been in the World Series only three times in over 50 years. 45 games to play....get your best guys on the field and go for it. One streak is all they need.

[tobi0040]

 

I think the best players should be on the major league roster as long as there is a chance to make the playoffs. Sorry Rochester and Chattanooga, but you have to make a run for it when you get the chance. Buxton, Berrios and Kepler would help the major league team win. Once you are in the playoffs, anything can happen. The Twins have been in the World Series only three times in over 50 years. 45 games to play....get your best guys on the field and go for it. One streak is all they need.

 

Agreed on all fronts.

 

And I am not sure why we need Buxton's loyalty to the AAA team.  He has played on the big league team as long as he has at AAA this year.

Edited August 17, 2015 by tobi0040

[stringer bell]

Buxton has played as long at AAA as he did with the big boys. We should probably hold equal weight for each (ie not much at all). I guess I would look at how many balls he has hit hard, and how many times he has struck out and then look at what pitches (breaking balls, chain jumps [that's for Always 33] got him out.

[birddog]

 

I think before the end of the month Hunter will end up on the 15 day DL with some sort of ailment. It would allow Buxton to come up and play every day while Hunter could still be in the dugout every day and traveling with the team to work with the younger players. If the Twins did make the playoff's both players could be on the Playoff roster if Buxton is here prior to September 1st.

I like this idea as it allows playing time to the young guys and allows Torii a graceful way to walk off into the sunset without looking as if he's being benched. Can we do the same for Mauer? As mentioned before on TD, why can't Mauer get hurt in a year in which he's hurting the Twins?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Buxton has played as long at AAA as he did with the big boys. We should probably hold equal weight for each (ie not much at all). I guess I would look at how many balls he has hit hard, and how many times he has struck out and then look at what pitches (breaking balls, chain jumps [that's for Always 33] got him out.

The only thing Buxton's stint in AAA has told me is "Byron's thumb is healed and his timing wasn't affected by the injury".

 

And really, that's all we needed to know. If he's not up before the end of August, that's... not smart. Every game matters and while I appreciate what Sugar Shane has done for the team this season, he shouldn't get in Buxton's way if Byron is ready to play.

[tobi0040]

 

The only thing Buxton's stint in AAA has told me is "Byron's thumb is healed and his timing wasn't affected by the injury".

 

And really, that's all we needed to know. If he's not up before the end of August, that's... not smart. Every game matters and while I appreciate what Sugar Shane has done for the team this season, he shouldn't get in Buxton's way if Byron is ready to play.

 

Two of our other four OF can play CF.  So too can two INF in a pinch.  Sugar Shane.  Great guy.  Good teammate I am sure.  But it is time.

 

Looking out to next year, we could break camp with Hicks, Buxton, and Rosario in the OF mix. Please, please don't reserve a roster spot for a weak hitting versatile OF that can't hit.  We have enough versatility.

 

 

Edited August 17, 2015 by tobi0040

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Two of our other four OF can play CF.  So too can two INF in a pinch.  Sugar Shane.  Great guy.  Good teammate I am sure.  But it is time.

 

Looking out to next year, we could break camp with Hicks, Buxton, and Rosario in the OF mix. Please, please don't reserve a roster spot for a weak hitting versatile OF that can't hit.  We have enough versatility.

Yep. The 2016 fourth outfielder should be a thumper. Whether that's Arcia or another guy, I don't really care (though obviously Oswaldo should get the first shot at the job).

[tobi0040]

 

Yep. The 2016 fourth outfielder should be a thumper. Whether that's Arcia or another guy, I don't really care (though obviously Oswaldo should get the first shot at the job).

 

Can swing between DH, LF, and bench.  You can get by with Arcia in LF with a ground ball pitcher on the mound.  Like Gibson.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

I think before the end of the month Hunter will end up on the 15 day DL with some sort of ailment. It would allow Buxton to come up and play every day while Hunter could still be in the dugout every day and traveling with the team to work with the younger players. If the Twins did make the playoff's both players could be on the Playoff roster if Buxton is here prior to September 1st.

Torii Hunter's mentorship of Buxton and Hicks has been a True Hollywood story this season!

[Vance_Christianson]

I think our 4th OF should be Plouffe next year. He can play LF/RF (whichever he likes most), 3b (giving Sano a day off once in awhile), 1b (giving Joe a day off once a week), and be our primary DH. I just don't think Arcia will ever have a higher ceiling than Plouffe.

Funny how much love Arcia has from us Minnesota Fans, but Hicks just got obliterated on here for 2+ years. Now Hicks is playing the best ball of his life the last 6 weeks or so, and Arcia couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat in AAA, but yet everyone still thinks Arcia deserves a spot, etc.

I agree that we roll with Rosario (LF), Buxton (CF), and Hicks (RF), and that our 4th OF should be a thumper (play mostly DH and act as a 4th OF). The 3 musketeers can sub for each other, put the thumper (Plouffe, like I mentioned above) wherever he feels best whether that be LF or RF.

 

[James]

 

Something.....something....curveballs, I think. http://www.sherv.net/cm/emoticons/confused/dunno-smiley-emoticon.gif

So, Buxton needs help with a curveball, huh?

 

I have just the guy for that:

 

 

In all seriousness, I can see the Twins waiting for the AAA playoffs to be done to get Buck back to the bigs.  I hope that they don't wait though.  Lick Brock said, Buxton's AAA stint shows that he has his timing back.  He will add improved defense in the outfield and I'm sure he can produce more than what Hunter has done in the month of August. 

[SwainZag]

 

I think our 4th OF should be Plouffe next year. He can play LF/RF (whichever he likes most), 3b (giving Sano a day off once in awhile), 1b (giving Joe a day off once a week), and be our primary DH. I just don't think Arcia will ever have a higher ceiling than Plouffe.

Funny how much love Arcia has from us Minnesota Fans, but Hicks just got obliterated on here for 2+ years. Now Hicks is playing the best ball of his life the last 6 weeks or so, and Arcia couldn't hit water if he fell out of a boat in AAA, but yet everyone still thinks Arcia deserves a spot, etc.

I agree that we roll with Rosario (LF), Buxton (CF), and Hicks (RF), and that our 4th OF should be a thumper (play mostly DH and act as a 4th OF). The 3 musketeers can sub for each other, put the thumper (Plouffe, like I mentioned above) wherever he feels best whether that be LF or RF.

 If we are moving Plouffe off of 3B, I would have to assume he has more value to the Twins in a trade rather than moving him to a crowded OF situation, especially with a long contract looming or more than likely 6+M in arbitration or a 1 year deal.

[tobi0040]

 

 If we are moving Plouffe off of 3B, I would have to assume he has more value to the Twins in a trade rather than moving him to a crowded OF situation, especially with a long contract looming or more than likely 6+M in arbitration or a 1 year deal.

 

My initial thoughts were identical.  I am guessing Hicks and Rosario play better defense out there with a similar bat, and less expensive too.

[HitInAPinch]

 

Hicks is living off a .417 BABIP against LHP. That, is completely unsustainable. Once those numbers decline, his .634 OPS against RHP will carry a lot more weight. Plus, Buxton is by far a better defender. 

 

I'll take Buxton right now, all day long. 

Your assumptions are: 

1. Hicks BABIP against LHP must go down
2. Hicks hitting against RHP stays the same.

I dispute both points. 

 

Statistics are a single point in time:  per AB, per game, per month, per season, etc.  It's not totally unrealistic that Hicks can sustain that BABIP.  Limited AB's from his natural swing against a limited number of LHP's. 

 

#2: That's an assumption that he can not improve.  Hicks has improved this year and I see no reason why that suddenly stops.  Just like I don't assume what Buxton can be based on 11 games at AAA.