Buxton is starting to get it

[jimbo92107]

Watching the game today I was impressed by Byron Buxton's gradual improvement as a player. Nothing amazing, but incrementally Buxton is having better at-bats, and slightly better reads stealing bases.

 

Especially with base stealing, I think Buxton got by all the way from grade school through the minor leagues with no notion of technique, just his blazing speed. When he finally got the major leagues, pitchers and catchers finally caught up to Buxton's speed, prompting the young star finally to work on all the little things that slower players must master - reading the pitcher, getting a secondary lead, dropping the lead foot back a little, etc. He still doesn't do the foot chopping, head fakes or skips, but then Buxton seldom fakes stealing... instead, he just goes. Eventually I hope he develops a much more refined and disruptive approach to base running. Pitchers already are keenly aware of him, but Buxton could greatly increase their agitation by hand and head fakes, plus much busier feet. It's all perfectly legal, not bush league, and frankly crowds love it. Ricky Henderson, y'all. 

 

At the plate, I see less obvious improvement, but definitely less fear. He seems to have accepted the fact that it's going to take a while for him to develop a more effective approach to hitting, so he's a bit more relaxed and doesn't get down on himself when he strikes out. Dealing with failure is crucial for a hitter. Instead of simply cussing your own stupidity, you have to learn from each at-bat. How did he get me last time? Should I look for the same thing? Talk to Bruno, try to do what he says next time up. Gradually you hope it sinks in. For all his physical gifts, success for Byron Buxton is going to require tons of hard work. He is an amazing athlete, but not a natural baseball player. 

[Han Joelo]

Nice take.  Good to hear--I'm  someone who doesn't get to watch much--I only get what Gladden and Provus tell me.

[stringer bell]

Huh! I'll be honest-I haven't seen that much of the Twins in the last two weeks, but I've checked the box scores and Buxton has had a pretty lousy week according to the numbers. He's 1 for his last 20 with two walks and ten strikeouts in his last 22 plate appearances.

 

The overall results since his recall are improved, but he's still struggling as a hitter. He is 11-39 with one double and two triples, two walks and 14 Ks. While Buck is a force if he gets on base and he's the team's best center fielder, the question is whether he's better off in Minnesota or Rochester. I'm legitimately not sure.

[Pius Jefferson]

I saw one at bat today where Buxton struck-out on a very hittable pitch.