Minnesota Twins' Standout Makes Bold Proclamation at Spring Training
On Saturday, we learned that Minnesota Twins' standout Byron Buxton feels completely healthy heading into 2024.
Now, Buxton says he feels that with his newfound health, he can steal 30 bases this year.
Per Do-Hyoung Park on social media:
Byron Buxton says gleefully that he’s already talking with Willi Castro about how many bases they can each steal this season.
He says he’s got 30 steals in him.
“That means I’m on a lot and running a lot. I feel good. I feel real good.”
Buxton has never stolen 30 bases in a season as injuries have constantly gotten in the way. He played exclusively at designated hitter last season but had knee surgery in the offseason and will be moving back to center field.
Buxton still just played 85 games and was left off the initial Twins playoff roster.
Since debuting in 2015, Buxton has played 100 or more games only once in his career (2017). Even in the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, he missed 21 of a possible 60 games.
Lifetime, he's a .239 hitter with 115 home runs. His best season from a power-standpoint came in 2022 when he hit 28 homers and made the All-Star Game for the only time.
The Twins won the American League Central last season and defeated the Toronto Blue Jays in two games in the wild card round. They were subsequently beaten by the Houston Astros in four games during the American League Division Series.
They are still favored in an improved division that has seen the Royals spend more than $100 million this offseason and the Tigers add multiple veterans.
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