Credit: Mitch Stringer-Imagn Images
New manager Derek Shelton has had Byron Buxton batting second in the Minnesota Twins lineup for both of the team’s first two games of the 2026 MLB regular season against the Baltimore Orioles, after he missed the back half of Spring Training playing for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.
On Saturday afternoon, Buck showed off his dynamic skillset with an infield single, then again when he advanced to second base on a standard flyout to center field. From there, he advanced to third base on an errant pickoff attempt at second, before scoring from third base on a Josh Bell sacrifice fly.
There may only be a handful of players who would have beaten out the initial ground ball Buxton did, to earn his infield single. The same can be said for the flyout he took second on. Essentially, Byron created the Twins’ first run Saturday by himself, which Minnesota then parlayed into a 4-1 victory.
Veteran outfielder Harrison Bader was Byron Buxton’s teammate from for just a few months, from March 2025-July 2025, before he was one small piece of a historic trade deadline last summer., in which Bader, Carlos Correa, Willi Castro and most of the MN Twins bullpen was dealt away.
Harrison Bader heaps praise on Minnesota Twins Byron Buxton
Now, Bader is in San Francisco. But last postseason, after the Twins trade him to Philadelphia, the 31-year-old confessed his adoration for Byron Buxton to Phillies reporters, even suggesting Buck is the best all-around player he’s ever teamed up with.
“He’s just the most complete, all-around player that I’ve ever played with. There’s no doubt. You’re talking baserunning. You’re talking about grinding out a 13-pitch at-bat, taking a walk. You’re talking about power. Clean routes to the baseball [in the outfield]. Good arm strength. Good decision-making. Instincts on the basepaths, stealing bases. There’s literally not a single aspect of his game that is not complete or at the highest level, in my opinion.”
Harrison Bader – via The Star Tribune
Bader has played with three-time MVP Aaron Judge. He teamed up with peak Nolan Arenado, who looked like a new-school version of Brooks Robinson. Bader has also had a front row seat to prime Paul Goldschmidt, along with superstars like Francisco Lindor and Pete Alonso.
It’s hard to argue with the assessment. Last season, Byron Buxton put up a 5.0 fWAR en route to blasting a career-high 35 home runs and finishing a perfect 24-for-24 in stolen base attempts.
Obviously, he continues to play centerfield at an incredibly high level, as well. Despite being 32 years old, Buxton’s 30.2 feet per second sprint speed last season registered in the 100th percentile.
Byron Buxton’s first hit of 2026 is a triple! pic.twitter.com/wDITaQGxyF
— Ted (@tlschwerz) March 26, 2026
Byron Buxton was the second overall pick — behind former teammate Carlos Correa — in the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. This is his 12th big league season, and he’ll hit ten years of service time this year.
It’s relatively obvious that Buxton is an athletic specimen. To hear someone like Bader, who has witnessed so many other talents playing across seven different teams, suggest the best all-around he has seen is something else.
Buxton is focused on his MN Twins legacy
This offseason the Minnesota Twins could have shut down noise regarding trade rumors surrounding their superstar center fielder, and he wasn’t happy when they didn’t. Yet, Buck continues to be adamant that he finishes his big league career wearing just one uniform.
“I’ve got years here left to go out and do what I can to help us win. My biggest thing is just trying to get a ring here. I can hit a .100 for all I care. If it brings to the ring to the city, I’m happy…Coming up, that was my one goal: Playing with one team. I never wanted to put on another uniform. I don’t want to have to experience putting on another uniform. My gym is all Twins colors. Everything is here. I don’t have no Braves pictures, and that ain’t what I want. It’s the loyalty for me. I’m comfortable where I’m at.”
Byron Buxton – via The Star Tribune
Like Joe Mauer before him, Buxton has never waivered in his desire to remain with the Minnesota Twins. Unlike Joe — a St. Paul kid — Buxton is from Baxley, Georgia. But after 14 years in the organization, it’s the Twin Cities he now calls home.
Mentioned in this article: Byron Buxton Harrison Bader
More About:Minnesota Twins
Add MinnesotaSportsFan as a preferred source on Google.