14 Minnesota Twins to Watch in '14: Byron Buxton

Hope, promise, potential.  Those words mean a lot to a baseball team, but none of those things actually help a team win baseball games.  As fans we can take solace in the knowledge of potential, promise for the future, or even hope that things will get better.  At some point, potential has to actualize.  Promise needs to translate to production.  Hope needs to give way to wins.  In the case of an individual player, we want to see the performance that we all hope for.  Of course, having hope, promise and potential keeps a player exciting, even if they haven't played an MLB game.  For the Twins, their potential franchise player is looming and as fans, we hope to see him in 2014. 

The most important Twins player in 2014 is Byron Buxton.

Who is he? 

The Twins need to send a gift basket to the Houston Astros every day, because they passed on Buxton and the Twins nabbed him with the second overall pick in the 2012 draft.  Buxton currently holds the title of "consensus best prospect in all of baseball."  I'm not sure that I found a single expert who put Buxton lower than number one on their top prospect list.  I've said this before, if you know of an expert who did list him lower than one, you can go ahead and ignore that person going forward.  Buxton is a true centerfielder with ridiculous speed and therefore, range.  He possesses a strong arm, a good ability to make contact, budding power and impressive baseball instincts.  Plus, based on all reports, he's a good guy.   

He was all of those things prior to the 2013 season and he was considered just a great prospect, but he wasn't being compared to Willie Mays just yet.  He enjoyed a massive breakout in 2013, hitting .334/.424/.520 between Low-A Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers.  He added 19 doubles, 12 home runs, 55 stolen bases and a simply ridiculous 18 triples.  He walked 76 times and struck out just 105 times.  He did all of this at age 19.  Oh, he also made just two errors and several highlight-level catches in center. 

Why is he important?

BECAUSE HE'S AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!

Ok, we all need to take a breath, but how often does a player like Buxton come along?  I hesitate to write about what might happen if he doesn't reach his ceiling because I can't bear to think that way.  I don't want to be responsible for jinxing the next big thing.  I want Byron Buxton to become the superstar that the experts have described.  I want to see Eric Davis mixed with Bo Jackson mixed with Willie Mays.  Who wouldn't want to see that?!?

Even if he cannot reach his unfair ceiling, he fills major needs on any baseball team.  He's a breathtaking defender with an excellent arm.  He's going to play center in the Majors no matter how he hits.  But he can hit!  He makes great contact, he has a good eye and he's got power that could continue to grow as he grows.  He can occupy the leadoff spot, hit third, or, who knows, maybe bat cleanup one day?  It simply depends on where the Twins want to put him because he will likely fit everywhere.  Plus, he's astonishingly fast.  He can steal bases the traditional way and he can steal extra bases when he puts the ball in play.  His speed is one of the biggest reasons why his defense is so outstanding.  We've come full circle!  It is important to note that he's not just a tool shed.  He's got instincts, intelligence and aptitude as well.  He has the biggest tool shed.  He is the tool shed!

I'm completely out of breath right now. 

Paul the Positive Puma's Take:

You know the scene in Major League 2 when Rube says "forget the signs, just bring the heat, Ricky!"  You don't?  Major League 2 isn't that bad, everyone.  Give it a chance.  Anyway, I feel that way about Buxton.  Forget about stats.  Forget about projection.  Forget about development.  Just bring me the Buxton!  It is an admittedly impatient perspective, but I just can't wait to see this guy play for the Twins.  I've only seen glimpses of Buxton and I'm ready for much, much more. 

Joe Mauer is a superstar, but he's not the kind of superstar that Buxton could become.  Buxton could be anything.  For me, that's why prospects are so exciting.  They are mold-able clay, only you aren't held back by your 4th grade art education.  Buxton is a particularly exciting prospect because he could literally become the greatest player in baseball history.  It's not fair to put that on a player, but I'll go ahead and guess he doesn't read this blog.  I'm an optimist, but I'm also a realist.  Sorry, Brad.

Peter the Pessimistic Puma's Take:

I'm not going to take my typical negative route with Buxton.  First, I'm worried that I'd get sniped by an angry Twins fan.  Second, I want to believe in Buxton just as much as anyone.  Don't mistake my pessimism for hatred.  I love the Twins and I want them to do well.  Sadly, I haven't had much to get excited about recently.  Buxton excites me.  I know that he's not a sure thing, but everything I have read seems to indicate that he's a safe prospect, even if his ceiling proves to be inaccurately measured. 

It's impossible for me to be completely sunny and I have a slight reservation because he hasn't done anything above A Ball.  I always worry a bit that the World will come crashing down at some point.  You just can't predict everything.  That said, what the heck, you have to believe in something, right?!  I believe in Byron Buxton. 

What to look for in '14:

It's hard to argue that the most important Twins player for the coming season is someone who may not play a single MLB game, but here we are.  Buxton's development in 2014 is more important than anything else in this organization.  If Buxton takes a step back, the Twins' hope for the future takes a step back as well.  Buxton has superstar potential.  He could be Mike Trout, or even better.  Some have argued that you can't measure Buxton's ceiling because he simply doesn't have one.  His combination of tools and present performance at his young stage of development have lead many to think that he could become a multiple-time MVP and a Championship-level cornerstone player. 

The last several paragraphs were light on analysis and heavy on drooling/admiration/swooning.  Some perspective is still needed.  Buxton will be just 20 next season.  He'll start at AA and hopefully get all the way to Minnesota by season's end.  However, if he doesn't, that doesn't make him a failure or lower his ceiling.  He has the right to struggle as he adjusts.  AA pitching will be far more advanced than Buxton has ever seen before.  If he gets off to a slow start, don't freak out.  I swear the first person who states something along the lines of "Oh, I thought this Buxton guy was a stud, why is he only hitting .250?  #Bust." will get a very stern look from me. 

Buxton struggled in Spring Training, almost entirely because he isn't ready for the Majors just yet.  He's getting there, but it's going to be awhile.  In the meantime, enjoy his growing legend and get your popcorn ready for his MLB debut.  It will be a spectacle. 

Thank you for joining me on this journey to count down the 14 most important players in 2014.  It was emotional at times, but we made it because we stuck together.  Have a nice day, everyone!

If you haven't been paying close attention, I'm counting down the 14 most important Twins players for the 2014 season.  This was just one part in a 14-part series.  If you missed any of the previous installments, just click here as I have put them all in one nice, tidy location for you.  I'm the best.

Minnesota Twins Power Rankings: February 3, 2014

It was a quiet week in Twins Territory.  Nothing eventful occurred.  And yet, here we are, ready to get into some POWER RANKINGS.  Since I can't think of anything else to write, let's just start.  Lazy!

10.  Matt Guerrier

Matt Guerrier is back with the Twins, which means I'll have to listen to nearly every member of my family call him Matt Gurreeeer again.  This move makes a lot of sense to me.  Here are all the reasons why:

• Guerrier has been excellent over the past four seasons
• Guerrier throws really hard and generates strikeouts
• The Twins do not have any good right-handed relievers
• Guerrier does not have a negative walk rate trend
• Guerrier is young

Oh wait, those are all false.  The real reason why this move doesn't bother me is that it's a Minor League deal and that doesn't harm anyone.  Guerrier is probably just AAA depth/super nostalgia.  The bump in jersey sales won't hurt either.  

9.  Scott Baker

The Twins had no interest in Baker likely because they knew they had Guerrier on lock.  Baker barely pitched in 2013 and didn't pitch in 2012.  He's still just 32 and he had been effective prior to his major injury.  He signed a Minor League deal with the Mariners and if he can make the team, he could have a nice season in that pitchers' haven of a ballpark.  The Twins made it clear that Baker was not wanted in Fort Myers in February.  Perhaps they will have interest in him when he's older, throws softer and has a mess of bad seasons under his belt.

8.  Bronson Arroyo

Apparently Arroyo has received exactly the same amount of offers as I have this off-season.  I'm entertaining an offer to pitch for some kids who need batting practice.  Arroyo will probably get a better offer than that.  However, as the lack of offers pile up, Arroyo should become increasingly desperate.  If the Twins still want him, they might be able to get him on a one or two-year deal.  Arroyo would probably be the Twins' second-best starter, behind Ricky Nolasco.  He would certainly help the rotation, although he isn't young enough to help when the Twins are ready for actual contention.  Of course, the team could push a .500 record in 2014 with Arroyo in the fold.  Why not?

If I do agree to pitch for those kids, just know that this blog will be on hiatus for at least three years as I recover from a variety of arm and oblique surgeries.  In case you were wondering.

7.  Engelb Vielma

Baseball America had a report ($) a couple weeks back about Vielma and how impressed the Twins, and specifically Mike Radcliff, were with his defense. Then, Keith Law indicated that he considers Vielma to be his 11th best prospect in this loaded Twins system.  I have been counting down my top 30 Twins prospects at Puckett's Pond and I didn't consider Vielma for my top 30.  I did have him in the Honorable Mentions sections, just so I don't hurt his feelings. 

Vielma is just 19 and he's scrawy.  He also shares a birthday with my daughter, so that's cool.  He's an excellent defender and a speedster but he hasn't hit yet.  While I think Law's ranking is crazy high, only one of the two of us have actually seen him play in person.  That said, I doubt Law photoshopped any of the Twins players heads on bird bodies last year, so he had a lot more time than I did.  Vielma is a nice prospect and he's getting some mainstream love.  If he starts to hit, then LOOK OUT! 

6.  Russell Wilson/Tracy McGrady

Wilson chose football over baseball, a decision that looks pretty smart now that Wilson has a Super Bowl Championship under his belt.  McGrady reportedly wants to pitch next year, has been working out with Roger Clemens and apparently can throw in the 90s.  I love to talk about athletes from other sports playing baseball.  I'm fascinated by it.  I would love an exhibition where McGrady tries to strike out Wilson, then he has to catch a pass from him, then he has to catch an alley-oop from him, then he has to score a goal on him (hockey, not soccer) and then they bowl together because they've become such good friends. 

It really seems like a no-brainer.  Make it happen, someone.

5.  Some truly terrifying photos

Look, the current Twins are getting better, there's no doubt about that.  However, this iteration of the Twins needs to take a page from the late-80s, early-90s championship teams.  Thus, I went ahead an fixed a few of the more important Twins for the coming years. 

Here's Byron Buxton, uber-prospect and future MVP with Dan Gladden's hair:

Beautiful.  Here's Casey Fien with Juan Berenguer's mustache:

Tremendous...and intimidating.  And, just in case Phil Hughes can't hack it in the rotation, here he is with Jeff Reardon's beard, which I refer to as a Beardon.

And now we're all on the same page.  Those images should inspire you.

4.  Lance Berkman

The Big Puma retired last week.  This made me a sad panda.  I have long admired Berkman and his outstanding nickname.  Berkman was a beast too, finishing his career with a 144 OPS+.  He reached base in more than 40% of his career plate appearances.  He was enough of an outfielder to fake it in center for nearly a full-season's worth of games.  It's a shame that his career ended as it did, rife with injuries and jokes about his weight.  I think Berkman is a Hall of Famer, but I also think he has about a 1% chance of ever getting elected.  Grant Brisbee agrees and you know that I love him.  Read this and laugh at the pictures. 

Long live the Big Puma.    

3.  Fans of the New Britain Rock Cats

Check out this article from Andrew Walter at Twins Fan from Afar:  Prognosticating:  2014 Rock Cats Opening Day Lineup

That lineup is stacked.  If you happen to be a Twins fan living in that region or a fan of a AA team for some reason, you have to get out to some games early in the season.  Sano isn't long for AA and Buxton probably isn't either.  If you take those two out, the lineup is still good, but it isn't exciting.  Minnesota will feel the excitement in a year or so, but for now we can just be happy for New Britain. 

2.  Eduardo Escobar

Things are going well for Mr. Escobar.  Just check out this tweet:

@bridman77 "Winter League Games 1/28 Escobar, SS, Twins 1-3, R, HR. 3 HR in the past 4 nights" fm this: http://t.co/DGSxmx3SvI
— William Lindeke (@BillLindeke) January 29, 2014

Of course, Jeff Moore, the person who wrote the linked article, also states that Escobar is "glove-only player with moderate bat-to-ball skills and virtually no in-game power."  Perhaps.  However, can I just remind you of this:

Support the Eddie 400.  He would support you.

1.  Mike Pelfrey

Yeah, not expecting this, were you?  Seth Stohs had a great article about Pelfrey last week.  You can read it here.  In it, Pelfrey basically won me over with his positive attitude and generally pleasant demeanor.  I've been critical of Pelfrey in the past, but this is a wonderful reminder that baseball players are human mammals and they have feelings.  Sometimes, those feelings give you feelings.  That's a good feeling.  I love many things Pelfrey said in that article and it diminished the ire I had felt previously.  Thanks, Seth!

We did it!  A slow news week is no match for my crippling need for symmetry and order.  Hopefully, the Twins will go completely ape this week and make crazy moves.  No matter what, I'll be back next week, countin' 'em down.  Have a nice week, everyone!