Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton’s story is well known throughout the sport. He’s the cautionary tale of unlimited potential and the many ways that injuries could derail that trajectory. There’s an urge to protect him with metaphorical bubble wrap, keeping him out of harm’s way and judging him based on what he could do, should he ever stay healthy.
This year, Twins fans haven’t had to worry. Buxton has appeared in 73 of Minnesota’s 90 games while playing some of the best baseball of his life. He’s been rewarded with the second All-Star selection of his career.
On Monday, Buxton announced that he would participate in the 2025 Home Run Derby. There will be whispers about his health, the risks, and the way misfortune seems to find him. But Buxton, for the second time in a decade-long career, is set to be celebrated on the national stage. He’s not turning that down.
Buxton’s trip to Atlanta is special
Buxton, the former No. 2 overall pick, is once again playing like a star. With 20 home runs in the first half of the season and endless raw power, he was an easy choice for the Derby.
Choosing to accept was just as easy. For that, fans can thank his son, Brixton.
“Brix is probably the most excited,” he told Betsy Helfand. “He plays MLB: The Show and he plays the Derby all the time. And he always is like, ‘Dad, if you do this, I want to bring you a towel!’ and I’m like, ‘All right.’ That’s all he cares about. He wants Dad to do it so he can bring me a towel and a Gatorade.
“And for me, that’s special. Out of everybody that’s there, all the people that he’s going to see, that’s what he wants and cares about. So it’s the small things that add up to the big ones.”
Buxton’s trip to Atlanta is as poetic as it is meaningful. A Georgia native, Buxton is coming home to put on a show in front of the friends and family that helped forge his career.
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Through the first half of the season, Buxton has punched his ticket to Truist Park. He’s slashed .270/.334/.544 to generate a 141 wRC+ and 3.3 fWAR. He’s still stealing bases and playing a strong center field, too.
Buxton has been Minnesota’s best player and, barring a replacement, will be his team’s only All-Star. Leading the Twins starters in homers, batting average, slugging percentage, and WAR, it’s easy to see why he got the nod.
The journey to his first All-Star Game was a long one, as he reached the festivities in 2022, his eighth season. Across the next two campaigns, Buxton missed 137 games. With a career defined by the flickers of his talent and the whims of his body, Buxton stands to be appreciated by the masses. If only for a moment. For a round or two on Monday. For an inning or three on Tuesday.
He’s not letting that opportunity go to waste.
“To do it back home with this Twins uniform on, it’s a blessing.”
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