Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
If this particular pick sounds familiar, it’s because Byron Buxton made this very same list prior to last season getting underway. Based off the -3 wRC+ he posted in just 94 big-league plate appearances, that selection didn’t age well, but I’m willing to give it another try.
The temptation is here because of the breakthrough Buxton experienced with the Twins in 2017. Despite a slow start, a hot second half pushed his offensive numbers up to respectable levels. Although that year finished with a season-long wRC+ of just 90, he also added 16 homers and 29 stolen bases en route to posting 3.5 fWAR.
That high wins-above-replacement number is largely because of the elite defense he brings to the table. Buxton has racked up just shy of 2,500 innings in center field since debuting in 2015, but he still ranks sixth at his position (among those with at least 2,000 innings) with 33 Defensive Runs Saved. Buxton’s ability to impact the game in multiple ways could help him shoot up fWAR leaderboards, if he’s healthy.
In an effort to become more durable, the outfielder added 21 pounds of muscle over the winter. We’ll see if there’s an impact on his style of play during spring training, but hopefully it means he takes the field almost every day throughout 2019.
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