Byron Buxton Hopes Adjustments Pay Off

The toughest part is getting to that bat flip at the end. Takes confidence. 

I think for the first year or two he will be more valuable in the field than the plate. Hopefully he starts the year batting ninth and he can focus on playing great defense.

I think for the first year or two he will be more valuable in the field than the plate. Hopefully he starts the year batting ninth and he can focus on playing great defense.

Eh.  His defense is strong, but he will never be an elite player if he doesn't learn how to hit major league pitching.  He could have all the speed and defense in the world.  If he can't hit then he isn't a very good major leaguer.

I hope the Twins don't start looking at him like Willie Mays Hayes...have him use his legs to get on base.  If that's what we end up with then so much for all the hype

I really think (hope) this philosphy harkens back to the Gardy days.  They did that with Gomez, and got so frustrated Gardy had him shipped out.  

i'm hoping Molitor & Bruno realize this kid could be something special, and don't try to turn him into the next Otis Nixon.

With Atlanta Nixon hit .278 with a .351 OBP. and while fast he wasn't Buxton fast.   I would be just fine with .278 and .351 OBP from a lead off hitter with blazing speed and great defense.    I hope Molitor and Bruno realize this kid isn't Mike Trout and end up turning him into the next  Willie Norwood. 

I also don't think the mistake was shipping out Gomez for Hardy but rather Hardy for nothing.   Not to mention it is quite likely that Gomez would have done just fine with Twins if he had been here several years also.

Talk about going out on a limb!  If Buxton can't hit he isn't going to be a star!  

Sounds silly, but I have talked with a number of people who believe his speed and defense already makes him a star.  

I would add "without hurting himself," to the first sentence. My second-biggest worry with Buxton is that he is going to be a great player for 120 games a year but always have a stint or two on the DL.

I think of Jose Reyes.  A guy who had to use his legs to be successful.  It got to a point where injuries started to take over when he hit 30.  That is what happens to a lot of "speed first" guys.  When he hit a triple last year he was running real fast, but he was running out of control.  That will catch up to him

I have all the confidence in the world that Buxton will be outstanding defensively and very good offensively, even if he never reaches great status. Too much raw ability, and even in milb he showed the ability to adapt and improve.

Now, how quickly he starts being at least good is the question. Still so, so young and missing most of a season did him no favors. I am not saying it's a mistake to have him in the majors to begin the year. But I do think it's a mistake to feel compelled to.

Buxton only has 55 AB  in AAA. He's going to struggle at the plate. I think they're rushing him to appease the fans. But with Sano lumbering around RF they need his range in CF.

Jeff Sullivan did a chat at Fangraphs today.  In the chat, this was brought up by our own Mike Sixel (forgive me if he's mentioned this already).

Mike Sixel: 'Will Buxton hit much this year? I admit, I am beginning to wonder if Cameron’s bearish view of that tool is true…….'

Jeff Sullivan: 'I’m presently unconvinced Buxton’s ever really going to hit past .260. That would make him out to be a disappointment. But it would also make him out to be underrated, given his expected running and defense.'

If Buxton wants to crank up his average, he can do what players have always done: Swing flat with a smaller bat. Especially now in his first full year, Buxton's greatest value to the team offensively is for him to spend a lot of time on base, then use his speed to apply pressure. The home runs can come later, after he's familiar with major league pitching. 

Buxton had  59 AB in AAA and hit over .400. What  more would Buxton have to learn  at AAA?  He came, he saw, he crushed. His batting average last year in the majors was the learning curve and adjustment phase. Now that he is all learned and adjusted, with his speed he can hit well over .300, Surely he will have a hit for every third at bat.

 

Personally I find it reassuring Buxton is trying to adopt a more aggressive approach at the plate. I agree the Otis Nixon batting avg/obp comp is a different era of baseball. .278/.351 in 2016 would be a great season to build upon.

Buxton's swing last year reminded me of Molitor's with the no load, still head and quick bat and while I would be ok with Nixon's numbers this year I would be thrilled with Molitor's.    The problem is that kind of swing still has a rhythm to it and Buxton struggled to recognize pitches and appeared to be indecisive resulting in late and weak swings.       I am just hoping for a good start.    I think veterans  know the hits will come and don't freak out about an early low batting average but rookies press.  I always thought Valencia's good year was spurred on by a few infield hits and bloopers in his first couple weeks.   It allowed him to relax until he squared up a few.     

On a separate note I always wonder about broadcasting your approach in the papers.   Opposition might be reading these papers as well.