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Whether Byron Buxton should be an All-Star should not be up for debate. He leads American League center fielders in home runs, RBIs, OPS, wRC+, fWAR, and slugging average. He would lead most of those stats for all AL outfielders, if not for Aaron Judge. He’s had numerous defensive plays that have awed us, only to (improbably) match that awesomeness with his bat. After years of remaining careful on the bases, he’s become a flawless stolen base machine, leading the Twins. It feels cliché, but we’re seeing a star reaching his top potential.

Buxton held a 2.6 fWAR when he was sent to Los Angeles for the All-Star Game in 2022. He currently sits at 2.9 fWAR. 

That Buxton is flailing in the voting—only 13th among outfielders—is a case of unfortunate circumstance: coastal bias, a somewhat disengaged fanbase not interested in voting, and other shiny objects who get more national coverage. Voting can, of course, change, but it feels cruel when someone as deserving as Buxton can’t find his way into fans’ hearts given his numerous show-stopping moments. 

But this All-Star Game can be extra special for Buxton, a Georgia native with a chance to play in Atlanta suburban Cobb Country. And that means that Buxton, who sits at 15 dingers on the year, should be given more than a chance for a couple plate appearances.

Put Byron Buxton in the Home Run Derby.

It’s no secret that the Home Run Derby has become the event of All-Star Week. The game itself has had its moments, but most players are doing their best to not hurt themselves. The best moment, if I can recall any in recent years, was Nestor Cortes Jr. and Jose Trevino chatting on the broadcast while discussing their pitch selection (and that game included a Buxton home run off Dodgers pitcher Tony Gonsolin). And while sickos enjoy the Futures Game, most are barely aware of their existence.

Meanwhile, the Derby has been where stars are made. It introduced Julio Rodriguez outside the Pacific Northwest. It helped put Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the cover of MLB: The Show. Teoscar Hernández scored a bobblehead out of it. Buxton has been around for years in the league, but it could redefine how fans across MLB see him.

Buxton’s reputation remains defined by the injury issues that plagued his early years. If they had any sense that Buxton played over 100 games—in Center Field!—last year, or even putting up those numbers this year, they would be excited. Given the voting, they clearly are ignoring what’s happening out in Target Field. 

That said, Buxton’s home runs have been amazing, and not just because of the quantity of them. He’s hit the second-farthest home run of the year, only behind Mike Trout, besting Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani. He has genuinely fearsome power. Compare Tuesday’s home run that came in almost the exact same position that he stole one back from Will Benson. Benson hit the ball over 5 MPH harder than Buxton, but Buxton’s bat speed tracked over 80 MPH and he hit his lower, which allowed it to track just over another six feet and over everyone, onto the green space of the batter’s eye. 

Of course, the chatter class and commenters will scream that the team needs to keep Buxton healthy at all costs. It’s not entirely without cause—Luis Robert. Jr suffered an injury at the derby in 2023. But that being said, this is what it’s all about. Seeing Buxton in Georgia, every light and camera on him, doing a skill that it wasn’t even clear he would ever do in his career. That’s what baseball is all about. Do you really want to play injury noticer, or do you wanna see him sock a few dingers?

No Twin has even participated in the Derby since Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau. It only makes sense that Buxton, the heart and soul of this team who has carried the torch since those two, make that return.

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