Minnesota Twins center fielder Byron Buxton has seen his stock rise this winter.
Byron Buxton’s rise back into baseball’s elite has been one of the most rewarding developments for the Minnesota Twins over the past year.
After spending several seasons battling injuries and inconsistency, his 2025 campaign served as a powerful reminder of the superstar talent that once made him the consensus number one prospect in the sport.
His blend of power, speed and elite defense finally came together over a sustained stretch, giving the Twins the version of Buxton they had long envisioned as the centerpiece of their outfield and lineup.
That resurgence did not go unnoticed. As MLB Network unveiled its Top 100 rankings ahead of the 2026 season, Buxton made one of the largest jumps on the entire list, climbing 26 spots to land at number 42.
The Twins celebrated the recognition on X with a message that captured both pride and excitement. “Movin’ on 🆙 Buck bumps up 26 spots from 2025 and checks in at 42nd,” the team wrote, highlighting how far he has come in a short time.
Buxton earned that rise with a complete and dynamic season in 2025. He appeared in 126 games, his highest total in several years, and delivered 35 home runs, 24 stolen bases, 83 RBIs and an .878 OPS.
His 4.9 WAR ranked among the most valuable individual seasons by a Twins player in recent decades. His presence in center field once again transformed Minnesota’s defense, as his closing speed, reads off the bat and ability to take away extra-base hits consistently changed games.
Beyond the numbers, Buxton’s season carried real emotional weight for both the player and the organization. For years, he had been labeled a “what if” talent, someone defined more by potential and injuries than by sustained production.
In 2025, he changed that narrative. He became a stabilizing force in the middle of the order, a tone setter on the bases and a leader in the clubhouse for a group that leaned on his energy and example.
As the Twins look toward the 2026 season, Buxton’s ranking reflects more than just past performance. It signals renewed belief in what he can still become as he moves deeper into his prime. If he stays healthy, he remains one of the most electrifying players in baseball, capable of impacting games in every phase.
For Minnesota, his climb up the rankings is both a validation of last year’s breakthrough and a hopeful preview of what might still be ahead.