Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Although the Minnesota Twins are having one of the worst seasons in recent memory, there are still strong individual performances taking place. Byron Buxton is having the best season of his career and he’d love to add a cherry on top.
When Buxton signed his seven-year contract extension with the Twins, this is the type of production he envisioned. The deal included significant incentives due to the injured nature of his past. As he climbs the ranks among MVP consideration this year, the payday goes up as well.
Get us started, Buck!!! pic.twitter.com/GU5c6u8DHb
— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 7, 2025
On Sunday he became just the second member of the Twins 30(home runs)/20(stolen bases) club. Unfortunately the longball has kept him from standing on his own.
Singles eluding Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton
embed
Buxton is rocking a .271/.332/.562 slash line for the Twins this season. His 30 home runs are a career-high. The round trippers take away opportunities on the basepaths though, and he recently joked with the Star Tribune’s Phil Miller about wanting some singles.
Imagine how annoyed Byron Buxton must have been when the baseball he crushed in the first inning Sunday sailed into the left-field seats, his career-high-extending 30th home run. Only hours earlier, he had complained about how his past eight hits — now nine — had been for extra bases.
“I actually would like to steal a damn bag once in a while,” Buxton said.
OK, he was obviously joking about his incredible hot streak, though the fact that he hasn’t stopped at first base since Aug. 29, a remarkable stretch of nine days, is certainly hampering his chances of becoming the team’s first 30-30 player.
Buxton has stolen third base just once in his career, and it came just over a week ago. While he would love to run wild and track down the final nine stolen bases, the opportunity has to be there as well.
Buxton’s last stolen base came on August 29. He had a pair of steals in that game, one of which was the thievery of third. He reached just once, but it was a single. Of late Buxton has been driving the ball and that has left opportunities limited. As a guy who doesn’t typically get on with walks, that’s also an unlikely path.
Time running out for MN Twins star
The MN Twins have just 19 games remaining, and the clip at which Buxton would need to go is something virtually untouchable. His health has been in a great place virtually all season. That has helped to generate additional opportunities. He was hit in the knee by a Michael Lorenzen pitch against Kansas City on Sunday, but appears to be no worse for the wear.
Even if Buxton doesn’t reach 30/30, he could join Corey Koskie as just the second Twins player ever to hit at least 25 home runs and steal at least 25 bases in a season. The recently-inducted Twins Hall of Famer accomplished that feat (26 HR/27 SB) in 2001 as a 28-year-old.
Related: Byron Buxton Continues Push for Greatest MN Twins Season of All Time
The Twins are on the road against the Angels to start the week before returning home on Friday. They have a final 10-game homestand and then finish with six on the road against Texas and Philadelphia.
Mentioned in this article: Byron Buxton
More About:Minnesota Twins