A healthy Byron Buxton is changing what the Minnesota Twins can be this season

· Yahoo Sports

Photo by Matt Krohn/Getty Images

Byron Buxton’s latest honor says more than one hot week ever could. It is a reminder of a reality the Minnesota Twins have known for years. When Buxton is healthy and producing at an elite level, he changes everything.

The Twins star was recently recognized after another dominant stretch at the plate, one more highlight in what has been one of the best offensive seasons of his career. For Minnesota, the meaning runs well past an individual award, because his performance is forcing the same question it always does. How far can the Twins go if he keeps playing like this?

Visit newsbetsport.bond for more information.

Buxton is giving the Twins exactly what they need

Few players in baseball impact a game the way Buxton does. Through the middle of June, the Twins outfielder had already blasted 22 home runs while posting an OPS north of .930, putting himself among the most productive outfielders in the American League.

Those numbers stand out on their own, and they matter even more in the context of Minnesota’s season. The Twins have struggled to find consistency and entered the week below .500, sitting outside the playoff picture despite flashes of strong play. In that kind of environment every elite stretch counts, and nobody on the roster can swing a game the way Buxton can.

The frustrating part is that Twins fans have seen this before

That is what makes Buxton such a fascinating player. His talent has never been in doubt, and when healthy, he has repeatedly performed like one of the best players in baseball, blending power, speed, elite defense, and game-changing athleticism. Availability has been the sticking point all along.

For years, Twins fans have been left wondering what a fully healthy season from Buxton might look like. Now they may finally be getting another chance to find out.

Minnesota’s ceiling still revolves around Buxton

The Twins have talented players throughout the roster, and none of them raises the team’s ceiling the way Buxton does. A productive Buxton changes how opposing pitchers attack the lineup, creates more scoring chances, adds defensive value in the outfield, and gives Minnesota a genuine star capable of carrying the offense for stretches.

That has been on full display recently. While the Twins keep searching for consistency as a team, Buxton has delivered exactly that as an individual.

The award is really a reminder

Winning Player of the Week is a nice accomplishment, and the bigger takeaway is what it says about the Twins going forward. Minnesota’s season will not be decided by one week in June. It will be decided by whether the club can turn flashes of brilliance into sustained success, and if that happens, there is a good chance Buxton is at the center of it.

Every time he gets hot, he reminds everyone of the same thing. The Twins have several important players, and they still have nobody more important than Byron Buxton.

Read full story at source