MINNEAPOLIS — Byron Buxton is doing things that, even by his own lofty standards, feel absurd.

He’s on pace for 36 homers, 99 RBIs, 32 steals, and 5.0 fWAR—numbers that would make him a top-10 player in baseball. He’s homered in three straight games, including a go-ahead blast in the Twins’ latest win, their fourth in a row. Over his last 23 games, he’s slashing .315/.375/.652 with eight homers, five steals (a perfect 5-for-5), 21 RBIs, and 20 runs scored.

And yet, somehow, it still feels like he hasn’t fully locked in.

Buxton leads MLB in strikeouts (98) and remains one of the game’s most aggressively streaky hitters. His splits with runners on base versus empty bases are staggering:

• Runners on 1st & 2nd: 9 HR
• Bases empty: 88 HR in his career
• RISP in 2025: .920 OPS

He’s also the most efficient base-stealer in MLB history (min. 90 attempts), swiping bags at an 89.26% success rate—just ahead of Bryson Stott (89.13%) and Kyle Tucker (88.69%).

But the biggest question, as always, is health.

Buxton has been icing his elbow and shoulder after games due to the torque of his violent swing, per MLB.com. He also recently missed time for a personal matter, a reminder that even beyond the injuries, his career has been a battle against circumstance.

The Buxton Paradox: Elite Production, Untapped Ceiling

When Buxton is right—like he is now—few players can match his five-tool dominance.

• Power? He’s on track for a career-high in homers.
• Speed? He’s perfect on steals this year and historically elite.
• Defense? Even at DH, his range in the outfield remains game-changing when he plays there.

But the swing-and-miss issues linger. His 35.1% K-rate would be a career-worst, and his chase rate (36.8%) is up from last year. When he connects, it’s must-watch TV—but the whiffs keep his OBP at just .321, limiting his full offensive impact.

Can He Stay on the Field?

The Twins have been cautious with Buxton’s workload, often using him as a DH to preserve his body. But even that hasn’t prevented nagging issues—elbow soreness, shoulder fatigue, and now a personal absence.

“When he’s right and he’s healthy, he’s one of the best players in the sport,” MLB Network’s Mark DeRosa said this week.

The Twins don’t need Buxton to be Mike Trout. They just need him to be available. If he stays in the lineup, 30-30 is in play, and so is a potential MVP push if Minnesota surges in the AL Central.

The Bottom Line

Buxton is producing like a star—but with another gear still unexplored. If he cuts the strikeouts just a little, if he stays on the field, if he keeps terrorizing pitchers with men on base…

Then we might finally see the full, unfiltered Byron Buxton experience.For now? Just enjoy the show. Because even at 80%, he’s one of the most electrifying players in baseball.