Byron Buxton feature by Souhan

[Steven Buhr]

Jim Souhan was in CR this past week and his feature on Byron Buxton (including a video) has been posted on the Strib site. Well worth a read imo.

 

Twins prospect Byron Buxton is the next big thing | StarTribune.com

[mudcat14]

Catch the last paragraph. Souhan believes Sano could be the Twins starter @ 3rd, next April!

[Ncgo4]

He may have the bat for it. If they can get him to high A in the next few weeks, they can see if his maturity measures up to an elevated level of defense. Isn't it more likely is that he will get a lot of attention next spring with the big team and be called up quickly into the season?

[gunnarthor]

Catch the last paragraph. Souhan believes Sano could be the Twins starter @ 3rd, next April!

 

Yep. He'll go to AA later this year and could be like Mauer, set to debut next spring. Souhan was the first person to really push this, I think, but I've seen it mentioned a few times now by prospect watchers. If he tears up AA this year, he'll certainly be up next year, although it might make sense to wait until June to get that extra year of service time.

[diehardtwinsfan]

As much as Buxton has matured, I still think seeing him Minnesota in 2014 is a bit of a stretch. He will likely finish the year in Fort Meyer this year and at best start in AA next season. If the Twins are contending in 2014 and he's destroying the ball, perhaps he gets moved up if there's an issue with Hicks, Willingham, and Arcia (assuming Hammer isn't traded), but my guess is that he opens in 2015 in Hammer's spot.

[IdahoPilgrim]

If he's ready, great, but I also see 2015 (or a september 2014 callup) as more likely, and more realistic.

 

And for those who would say that would be holding him back, that's the timetable Mike Trout was on, and that seems to have worked OK. In fact, Trout spent his entire first full-season at low-A, which is something I don't see happening for Buxton.

[Seth Stohs]

Catch the last paragraph. Souhan believes Sano could be the Twins starter @ 3rd, next April!

 

I actually agree with this more and more.

[jokin]

As much as Buxton has matured, I still think seeing him Minnesota in 2014 is a bit of a stretch. He will likely finish the year in Fort Meyer this year and at best start in AA next season. If the Twins are contending in 2014 and he's destroying the ball, perhaps he gets moved up if there's an issue with Hicks, Willingham, and Arcia (assuming Hammer isn't traded), but my guess is that he opens in 2015 in Hammer's spot.

 

There is nothing to indicate that Buxton would not be starting in CF when he's called up.

[jokin]

If he's ready, great, but I also see 2015 (or a september 2014 callup) as more likely, and more realistic.

 

And for those who would say that would be holding him back, that's the timetable Mike Trout was on, and that seems to have worked OK. In fact, Trout spent his entire first full-season at low-A, which is something I don't see happening for Buxton.

 

This is not accurate. Trout was promoted to High A after 81 games at Cedar Rapids.

[Ncgo4]

Like most I'm assuming that BB gets promoted to high A. Assuming that he keeps his average in the .330 area, that's probably true. Is it possible that if he gets on fire again and gets back up in the .370 area that he could skip a level up to AA? I don't know if the Twins do this kind of acceleration very often.

[Halsey Hall]

I think he'll be in Ft Myers soon, and could possibly see New Britain late in the season. Then he'll start in New Britain next spring and if all goes well will be in Rochester mid season with a possible call up to the Twins later.

 

This kid has it all and I'm not a bit surprised by the admiration he's getting from Kellly, Molitor and the rest. 5 tools, but I think the most impressive thing about him is his head. For his age, he's really a smart baseball player and a sharp young man. He should be fun to watch for many years and an example for younger players to watch, as some you can bet are doing right now.

[Oldgoat_MN]

Draws comparisons to Andrew McCutchen? Man I love reading that!

 

He goes from first to third like he knows a shortcut.

 

Great line.

[Einstein]

Mike Trout & Justin Upton were both in the majors at 19, I doubt that it happens but 2014 is certainly within reach for Buxton.

[Mr. Brooks]

Mike Trout & Justin Upton were both in the majors at 19, I doubt that it happens but 2014 is certainly within reach for Buxton.

 

I'd be very surprised to see him up here anytime before June of 2015, but I'd love to be wrong.

[IdahoPilgrim]

This is not accurate. Trout was promoted to High A after 81 games at Cedar Rapids.

 

My bad - I misread the Baseball-reference page. But the rest of the parallel could hold - A & A+ this year, AA next year with a late season call-up, and AAA/majors in 2015.