Buxton is playing some of the best baseball of his career.
Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton is a two-time All-Star in the middle of what might be the best season of his career.
The 32-year-old, who set career highs with 35 home runs and a .551 slugging percentage during his second All-Star campaign in 2025, has somehow taken things to yet another level in 2026 and is quickly making a case as one of the top outfielders in the American League.
Through 62 games this season, Buxton is hitting .276 with a .941 OPS, 23 home runs and a 153 OPS+, putting him on pace to blow past last year's power numbers with plenty of season left to play.
He was named American League Player of the Week for June 8-14 after going 11-for-24 with four home runs, three doubles, seven RBI and six runs scored in six games against the Tigers and Cardinals, posting a 1.583 OPS in the process.
It marked his second Player of the Week nod this season and fourth of his career, tying franchise legends Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett and Joe Mauer for the most in Twins history.
Shelton Makes His Case
Among those who have watched Buxton's tear up close is first-year manager Derek Shelton, who took over in October after the firing of Rocco Baldelli following a 70-92 season.
After Monday night's 4-2 win over the Texas Rangers, where Buxton homered for the sixth time in his last nine games, Shelton left no room for doubt about where he thinks his center fielder belongs on the All-Star ballot.
"Yeah, I mean player of the week, AL player of the week," Shelton said. "I mean I'll continue to say this. If he's not one of the top three outfielders for the All-Star game, I'll be shocked at who the other three guys are. I mean, he's just been such a big boost for us."
The Biggest Question Heading Into July
As dominant as Buxton has been individually, the Twins sit at 34-40 and third in the AL Central, six games back in the division.
Minnesota was widely expected to be sellers again at the trade deadline, and Buxton's name has been one of the first to surface in those conversations.
Teams like the Atlanta Braves have shown real interest, and his production at 32 would command a massive return.
The wrinkle is that Buxton holds a full no-trade clause and has repeatedly said he does not want to leave Minnesota, turning down multiple teams at last year's deadline.
The Twins front office has reportedly backed that stance, with insiders saying teams have simply been told "no" when calling about the two-time All-Star.
Whether Buxton's dominance is enough to convince the front office to build around him rather than cash in remains the biggest question facing the franchise as July approaches.
