Fangraphs: Interview with Byron Buxton

[Parker Hageman]

The always delightful Carson Cistulli of Fangraphs.com was able to hunt down the Twins super prospect Byron Buxton in Geneva, Illinois to discuss his game.

 

The entire interview is worth a read (link) but here are some key highlights:

 

After hitting .392/.510/.684 in April, he's slowed down to a brisk .294/.380/.454 pace in May. Cistulli asks him if pitchers are changing their approach the second time around.

 

Byron Buxton on How Pitchers Are Adjusting to Him

“At the beginning of the season, I saw a lot of fastballs, fastballs in, and I was hitting them hard. Now, some pitchers are pitching me backwards, and I’m hitting the ball the other way pretty good.

 

“Usually, after my first at-bat, I see a curveball or changeup first pitch. If I see it real well, I’ll take a hack at it. If I miss it, [i'll] step out and get ready to go again. Most of the time, I usually take the pitch.”

 

Did you know Buxton once scored on a sacrifice fly while on second? I didn't and pretty sure the guy who lifted the fly to right didn't think he hit a sac fly either.

 

Buxton on Scoring from Second in High School on a Sac Fly

“All I remember was, I knew it was hit to the right fielder, and I was tagging up. He caught the ball, and I took off towards third. When I looked up, my third-base coach was still telling me to come, and I just kept going.”

 

The author: “Had you seen that before?”

 

Buxton: “No.”

 

Man oh man. This kid is going to be exciting. Hashtag: Dingers.