Byron Buxton’s greatest achievement came in 2025.
Byron Buxton has been the face of the Minnesota Twins almost from the moment he was drafted second overall in the 2012 MLB Draft.
The 32-year-old center fielder briefly surfaced in trade rumors this offseason, particularly after the Twins moved several veterans at last year’s deadline. Minnesota’s front office quickly dismissed the idea of parting ways with their longtime All-Star and fan favorite, reaffirming his place in the organization.
Buxton’s career has always carried a mix of brilliance and frustration. Since debuting in 2015, he has appeared in 11 seasons with the Twins, flashing elite speed, power and defense whenever he has been healthy. The issue has been availability. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his trajectory, leaving fans to wonder what a fully healthy season might look like.
In 2025, that question was finally answered. Buxton played in 126 games, not a perfect total but a significant step forward, and delivered arguably the finest campaign of his career. He hit .264 with a .327 on-base percentage and an .878 OPS, while adding 35 home runs, 24 stolen bases and 83 RBIs. For the first time, Buxton combined durability with production, and in doing so, he gave the Twins a season that showcased his true ceiling.
The defining moment of that year came on July 12 against the Pittsburgh Pirates, a night that will remain etched in franchise history. On his own bobblehead day, Buxton put on a performance that captured everything fans had long envisioned. He opened with an infield single, then ripped a triple in his next at-bat. By the third inning, he had already collected three legs of the cycle after driving an automatic double to extend Minnesota’s lead.
By the seventh inning, the Twins were comfortably ahead, and it was clear this would be Buxton's last chance to complete the cycle. Falling behind 0–2 in the count, he stayed composed and crushed a home run. Target Field erupted as he rounded the bases, celebrating the first cycle of his career.
As Dan Hayes of The Athletic put it, “Though the moment will be overshadowed by the team’s trade deadline activity and other moments that define a failing season, it was an unforgettable individual accomplishment that represents a player finally showcasing the promise we all hoped we’d one day see play out over 162 games.”
It was a milestone that not only defined Buxton’s 2025 season but also reaffirmed his enduring importance to the Twins’ future.