News for Byron Buxton - 2018 5x5 NL League - $260 Cap

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Thu Apr 5 201821:27The eagle has landed ... on James Paxton's shoulder
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The pageantry and patriotism accompanying the buildup to the Minnesota Twins' home opener forced a pause for James Paxton in his warmup routine, leaving the Seattle starting pitcher standing alone in left field while a giant flag was unfurled nearby.The bald eagle brought in for a ceremonial flight over the field was the final piece of the pregame pomp, prior to the playing of the national anthem.Well, the big bird didn't want to visit the mound, perhaps wary of Major League Baseball's new rule limiting such trips to keep the pace of play. Instead, it picked out another target at Target Field.And Paxton wound up as the landing spot, sticking its talons into his back."I guess the eagle knew I was Canadian. I don't know. But it came for me," the left-hander said on Thursday evening after the Twins rallied past the Mariners 4-2 .Even on a 38-degree afternoon against a big-swinging lineup, the toughest task for Paxton might have been keeping his composure during that startling... [More]
Thu Mar 22 201812:20FANTASY PLAYS: Outfield a prime spot to pick up steals
The outfield used to be a prime destination for the fantasy needs of every baseball shopper. Times have changed.Other positions are more fruitful and stolen bases are more valuable than ever because they're not as readily available.In 2017, outfielders accounted for 38 percent of all plate appearance in Major League Baseball, and accordingly represented 38.9 percent of home runs and 37.9 percent of all RBIs. Looking at other standard categories, outfielders accounted for 41 percent of runs scored and 54.9 percent of stolen bases. They hit an average of .260 versus the typical .255 batting average. They were even better with on-base percentage, earning a .332 mark compared to baseball's average OBP of .324.Combine those numbers with the reality that HRs overall are up 45.8 percent since 2014, and RBIs increased by just 15 percent - but stolen bases are down 29.8 percent from their peak this decade.The takeaway: You can get power anywhere, but steals are at a premium and the outfield is a... [More]
Thu Mar 22 201812:20Destination Minnesota: Twins an attractive place to be
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Twin Cities were the place to be this winter with the Super Bowl in town.The Twins, meanwhile, have worked hard to make Minnesota more of a long-term destination."I wanted to go somewhere where they had a chance to win no matter what," said right-hander Lance Lynn, the last in a series of shrewd moves made to upgrade a team that was already well on the upswing after reaching the American League wild card game with a collection of 25-and-under contributors.That outlook seemed unfathomable when the Twins lost a club-record 103 games in 2016 and chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and general manager Thad Levine barely touched the roster for 2017 upon taking over the front office. But that's what is happening: Players seeking a stable, successful environment have eagerly picked Minnesota."I think we can sense that," manager Paul Molitor said. "Everyone is, with good reason, excited about what lies ahead. I think this is an attractive place to come to right now, given... [More]
Thu Mar 22 201809:49American League Central capsules
Capsules of American League Central teams, listed in order of finish last year:___Cleveland Indians2017: 102-60, first place, lost to Yankees in ALDS.Manager: Terry Francona (sixth season).He's Here: 1B-DH Yonder Alonso, LF Rajai Davis, RHP Alexi Ogando.He's Outta Here: 1B Carlos Santana, OF Jay Bruce, RHP Bryan Shaw, RHP Joe Smith, OF Austin Jackson, LHP Boone Logan.Projected Lineup: SS Francisco Lindor (.273, 33 HRs, 89 RBIs, 44 2Bs, 15 SBs, 10 errors), 2B Jason Kipnis (.232, 12 HRs, 35 RBIs in 90 games), 3B Jose Ramirez (.318, 29, 83, AL-leading 56 2Bs), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.258, 38, 107), 1B Yonder Alonso (.266, career-high 28 HRs, 67 RBIs with Athletics and Mariners), RF Lonnie Chisenhall (.288, 12, 53 in 82 games), C Roberto Perez (.207, 8, 38, club went 44-22 in his starts) or Yan Gomes (.232, 14, 56), CF Bradley Zimmer (.241, 8, 39, 18 SBs, 0 errors), LF Michael Brantley (.299, 9, 52 in 90 games) or Rajai Davis (.235, 5, 20, 29 SBs with Oakland and Boston).Rotation: RH Corey Kluber... [More]
Sun Mar 18 201820:34Twins SS Polanco banned 80 games after positive drug test
A big second half by shortstop Jorge Polanco helped push the Minnesota Twins into the playoffs last season. This year, they'll try to start fast without him.Polanco was suspended 80 games on Sunday after testing positive for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol. He became the sixth player to be banned this year under the major league drug program — one more than last year.Polanco hit .256 with 13 home runs and 74 RBIs last season while starting 127 games at shortstop. The 24-year-old also stole 13 bases in helping the Twins earn an AL wild-card spot.In a statement released by the players' union, Polanco said he didn't "intentionally consume this steroid."Polanco said he requested a substance from his athletic trainer in the Dominican Republic, but was given something else.ELSEWHERE AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESMETS 5, ORIOLES 4The Mets said lefty Jason Vargas will have surgery after his right hand was broken by a line drive in a minor league game Friday. No timetable... [More]
Fri Mar 9 201823:52Angels' Ohtani struggles in exhibition start
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]
Fri Mar 9 201819:52Angels' Ohtani struggles in exhibition start
TEMPE, Ariz. (AP) — Los Angeles Angels rookie Shohei Ohtani allowed six runs while pitching three innings in an exhibition game against the Mexican League's Tijuana Toros on Friday.The 23-year-old Ohtani struck out six and walked one.Ohtani spent five seasons with the Nippon Ham Fighters before signing with the Angels as an international free agent on Dec. 10. He is trying to become the first player in nearly 100 years to play regularly as a pitcher and hitter, but he has had mixed results so far this spring.AROUND THE GRAPEFRUIT AND CACTUS LEAGUESDODGERS 6, ROYALS (SS) 4Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen was held out of what was supposed to be his first big league spring training game this year due to an injured upper right hamstring."When he was getting ready today, his pregame stuff and kind of getting his legs loose, it tightened up on him," Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said. "We had the trainers look at him and it just made sense to just not throw him out there."Roberts said he expects... [More]
Tue Mar 6 201821:51Pickler's protegees: Twins outfield is on the rise
FORT MYERS, Fla. (AP) — With Byron Buxton in the middle, flanked by Eddie Rosario and Max Kepler, the Minnesota Twins boast one of the most dynamic young outfields in baseball.Their average age is 25. They combined to hit 62 home runs last season. Their defense is superb, judged by both basic measurements and advanced metrics.These are Jeff Pickler's protegees."We don't feel too pressured, or feel scared to make that mistake. We've got room to improve, and he understands that," Buxton said, reflecting on his first year under Pickler's supervision. "It allows us to go out there and play free, play aggressively."Soon after Derek Falvey took over as the organization's chief baseball officer, the Twins hired Pickler as the eighth coach under manager Paul Molitor, without a defined role like the rest of the staff. Though his background was at second base, in an eight-year minor league career that topped out at Triple-A and ended in 2005, Pickler was quickly identified as the right person to... [More]
Wed Feb 28 201819:50Around the bags: Astros 1B Gurriel out 6 weeks as hand heals
Houston Astros first baseman Yuli Gurriel will have to wait even longer before playing this season.Gurriel had surgery on his left hand Wednesday and the normal recovery time is six weeks.Opening day for the World Series champions is March 29, when the Astros visit Texas. When Gurriel returns, he will serve a five-game suspension imposed by Major League Baseball for making an inappropriate gesture toward Dodgers pitcher Yu Darvish during the World Series.Astros general manager Jeff Luhnow said Gurriel's hand was broken before he came to camp. Luhnow said he did not know the original cause of the fracture."It was non-symptomatic until recently and he started to feel something," Luhnow said. "Once you start feeling something, the right course of action is to just remove it because it's a pretty reliable surgery, and we know what the outcome is going to be."The 33-year-old Gurriel hit .299 with 18 homers and 75 RBIs last year in his first full season in the majors. He played in one exhibition... [More]
Fri Feb 9 201817:23After '17 turnaround and big bullpen spend, Twins aim higher
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The turnaround for Minnesota last year was sharp, with 26 more wins than the miserable 2016 season on a march to the AL wild card game.This year, the Twins are in position to actually measure progress by postseason advancement. The entire starting lineup stayed intact, with five core players age 25 and under, and the bullpen was given a big boost with three free agent additions .For the first time in seven years, the previous appearance in the playoffs, Minnesota is a desired destination."I feel like this team is on the edge of being really good for a while," said left-hander Zach Duke, who joined right-handers Fernando Rodney and Addison Reed as veteran relievers who signed this winter. "Maybe a pitcher or two away, and it's there. It's a very exciting thing."The pitcher or two could still materialize, with Yu Darvish at the top of the list of unsigned logjam of free agents around the game. The Twins, who hold their first official workout for pitchers and catchers on... [More]
Wed Oct 4 201702:30CF Byron Buxton lifted from Tuesday's wild-card game after top o...
CF Byron Buxton was lifted from Tuesday's wild-card game after the top of the fourth because of upper back tightness. In the top of the third, he sped down the first base line to avoid hitting into a double play and in the bottom of the second, he crashed into the center field fence with his back taking away an extra base hit from Yankees 3B Todd Frazier. After the game, Buxton said he was going to get some tests Wednesday.
Wed Oct 4 201702:30CF Byron Buxton exited American League wild-card game against Ne...
CF Byron Buxton exited the American League wild-card game against the New York Yankees on Tuesday due to upper-back tightness. Buxton was lifted after the top of the fourth inning, and the injury was announced an inning later. He was replaced by Zack Granite. In the bottom of the second inning, Buxton crashed into the center field fence with his back to take away an extra-base hit New York's Todd Frazier, and he appeared shaken up while making the catch. Buxton was 0-for-2 before exiting. He tied the game at 4-4 when he hit an RBI grounder in the third against David Robertson.
Mon Oct 2 201701:52CF Byron Buxton stole second base in fourth inning of Sunday's w...
CF Byron Buxton stole second base in the fourth inning of Sunday's win for his 24th consecutive successful stolen base. That extends his club record. It was his 29th steal of the season. Buxton finished the regular season 96.7 percent in stolen base attempts, the best percentage in Twins history.
Wed Sep 27 201705:57OF Byron Buxton's stolen base in sixth inning 23rd consecutive s...
OF Byron Buxton's stolen base in the sixth inning was his 23rd consecutive successful stolen base attempt, which is a Twins franchise record. "That means a lot to me. A lot of hard work went into it," Buxton said. "It's something I'll cherish, but I still can get better." Not much. Buxton's 96.5 percent stolen base success rate (28-for-29) leads the majors, and is the highest in Twins history.
Sat Sep 23 201718:45MLB roundup: Dodgers clinch fifth straight NL West title
LOS ANGELES -- Rookie Cody Bellinger hit his 39th homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth straight NL West Division title with a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants Friday night.Bellinger hit a three-run homer in the third inning off Jeff Samardzija (9-15). He broke a tie with Wally Berger (1930) and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (1956) for the homers hit a by National League. Rich Hill (11-8) drove in the other run and allowed a run in six innings, for the Dodgers who clinched on former manager Tommy Lasorda's 90th birthday.Pablo Sandoval homered in the ninth off Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen.Blue Jays 8, Yankees 1TORONTO -- Ryan Goins pulled off the hidden ball trick and hit a grand slam off Masahiro Tanaka asToronto routed New York.Goins pulled off the trick in the third inning to retire Todd Frazier, who was on second base. He then chased Tanaka (12-12) in the sixth inning with his second career grand slam.Teoscar Hernandez and Russell Martin also homered for Toronto... [More]
Sat Sep 23 201704:30CF Byron Buxton regarded as fastest player in majors but that al...
CF Byron Buxton is regarded as the fastest player in the majors but that alone won't make you a base-stealing whiz. It hasn't been until this season that he has blossomed as a stealer of bases. Buxton entered Friday night having swiped 22 bases in a row this season and had been thrown out just once in 28 attempts overall. Some of the credit goes to Minnesota's third- and first-base coaches plus manager Paul Molitor. Buxton had three hits Friday night, including a two-run double. "He's getting the head (of the bat) out," Molitor said. "I know his hand is feeling better. (We wanted) to get him down there a little bit in the lineup, get him back on track, and he's responded."
Sat Sep 23 201701:54MLB roundup: Dodgers clinch fifth straight NL West title
LOS ANGELES -- Rookie Cody Bellinger hit his 39th homer as the Los Angeles Dodgers clinched their fifth straight NL West Division title with a 4-2 victory over the San Francisco Giants Friday night.Bellinger hit a three-run homer in the third inning off Jeff Samardzija (9-15). He broke a tie with Wally Berger (1930) and Hall of Famer Frank Robinson (1956) for the homers hit a by National League. Rich Hill (11-8) drove in the other run and allowed a run in six innings, for the Dodgers who clinched on former manager Tommy Lasorda's 90th birthday.Pablo Sandoval homered in the ninth off Los Angeles closer Kenley Jansen.Blue Jays 8, Yankees 1TORONTO -- Ryan Goins pulled off the hidden ball trick and hit a grand slam off Masahiro Tanaka asToronto routed New York.Goins pulled off the trick in the third inning to retire Todd Frazier, who was on second base. He then chased Tanaka (12-12) in the sixth inning with his second career grand slam.Teoscar Hernandez and Russell Martin also homered for Toronto... [More]
Fri Sep 22 201704:38CF Byron Buxton had two-run, two-out single in fourth inning Thu...
CF Byron Buxton had a two-run, two-out single in the fourth inning Thursday night against the Tigers that broke a 1-1 tie in the three-run frame. "Byron picked us up," manager Paul Molitor said. "Buxton's two-out knock was probably the biggest at-bat of the night." He also walked and scored in the four-run eighth along with making a couple of standout catches on defense.
Tue Sep 19 201713:43MLB roundup: Marlins' Stanton smacks 55th homer
MIAMI -- Giancarlo Stanton drilled his major-league-leading 55th homer to lead the Miami Marlins to a 13-1 win over the New York Mets on Monday.It was Miami's first game at Marlins Park since Sept. 6, with three contests were moved to Milwaukee due to Hurricane Irma. The Marlins won for just the fourth time in their past 21 games.Stanton's homer traveled 455 feet and was clocked at 114 mph. He went 2-for-5 with three runs scored and four RBIs. After not going deep since Sept. 9, Stanton has now launched the most homers by a National League player since Ryan Howard hit 58 for the Philadelphia Phillies in 2006.New York's Matt Harvey (5-6) took the loss after allowing a season-high 12 hits, two walks and seven runs in four innings.Yankees 2, Twins 1NEW YORK -- Aroldis Chapman recorded the final five outs after Dellin Betances loaded the bases in the eighth inning as New York held to beat Minnesota.Chapman entered after Betances was booed off the mound for hitting Robbie Grossman with a pitch... [More]
Mon Sep 18 201705:25OF Byron Buxton hit 16th home run of season, most by Twins cente...
OF Byron Buxton hit his 16th home run of the season, the most by a Twins center fielder since Torii Hunter hit 28 in 2007. Twenty of Buxton's past 42 hits (four doubles, five triples and 11 home runs) have been for extra bases, and he is batting .339 (62-for-183) since July 4.
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