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Byron Buxton Not Guaranteed Starting CF Job

By Matthew Schoettler

Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) walks back to the dugout in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton (25) walks back to the dugout in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports /
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Byron Buxton will have to earn the starting center field job for the Minnesota Twins during Spring Training.

Byron Buxton, the Minnesota Twins’ mega-prospect, does not have a starting job secured heading into Spring Training. Before the 2015 season, MLB.com ranked Byron Buxton as the top-rated prospect in baseball; however, after an injury-plagued season, Corey Seager usurped him as the top-rated prospect in baseball heading into the 2016 season.

Next: Trea Turner Set to Take on Starting Shortstop Role

Earlier this offseason, the Minnesota Twins traded Aaron Hicks to the New York Yankees, leaving the door open for Byron Buxton in center field. However, the Twins recently came out and stated that Buxton must earn the job. The Minnesota Twins have options in the outfield; however, none of their options present anywhere close to the amount of potential Byron Buxton possesses.

With Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario, and Danny Santana amongst the other players capable of playing the outfield, Byron Buxton offers the best upside out of all of them. Byron Buxton has unbelievable range in center field, but his bat lags, somewhat, behind his plus-fielding abilities. Although the Twins said Buxton must earn the job in center field, he basically just needs to hold on to the job.

The Twins do not want to keep Byron Buxton in the minor leagues or in a bench role, so he enters Spring Training with a good chance at cracking the starting lineup for Opening Day. Byron Buxton struggled in his first stint with the Minnesota Twins, registering a .209/.250/.326 slash line, with two home runs and two stolen bases in 46 games.

Byron Buxton looked overmatched at times at the MLB level; moreover, he struggled to be comfortable on the base paths, only stealing two bags in four attempts. If Byron Buxton were to get a full season, at the MLB level, under his belt, he should transform into the player most experts are projecting.

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Byron Buxton is considered a defensive-first outfielder, with his fielding tools rated a plus attributes; however, his bat is not far behind his glove. MLB.com rated Byron Buxton as a 70 (on a scale of 20-80), showing the amount of potential most experts believes he has. Also, Buxton’s speed is considered elite, earning an 80 rating, the top of the scale.

Once Byron Buxton figures out MLB pitching, he should be one of the best young outfielders in the game, and he should contribute to the Twins in multiple ways. With Byron Buxton’s elite speed and range in center field, he should win multiple Gold Glove Awards for the Twins in years to come. Also, no one on the Twins can match Buxton’s speed and range, leaving little debate on whom will open the 2016 season as the Twins’ starting center fielder.

While the Minnesota Twins stated that Byron Buxton must earn the center field job, it is his job to lose. Barring unforeseen struggles in Spring Training, any production Byron Buxton provides is music to the Twins’ ears. They want to see how Buxton responds to adversity, but with his incredible skill-set, he should not have a problem adapting to the MLB speed.

Byron Buxton should open the 2016 season as the Twins’ everyday center fielder. No one on the Twins offers as much upside as Buxton. Buxton is a mega-talent just waiting to blossom. If Byron Buxton plays a full season in 2016, he should showcase his talents as one of the best up-and-coming outfielders in baseball.

Next: Trea Turner Set to Take on Starting Shortstop Role

While injuries have somewhat derailed the start of his career, Byron Buxton enters Spring Training fully healthy, and he hopes to be the missing link to taking the Twins to the playoffs. Hitting atop the order, he might be one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball from the get-go.

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