Royce Lewis and Byron Buxton and their regular routes to the injured list

The Twins are off to a pretty uninspired start in 2025. They've only won three games, and two of them were against the White Sox, which barely counts. The Twins since August 18th of last year have the second worst record in all of baseball. It would be concerning if it wasn't all so typical of the Twins to come out with an awful start to the season. They've been unlucky, as they always are, and their best players are off to a bad start, as they always are. They will shake out of it, and Twins fans will be wary for the rest of he season. Same as it ever is.

I overheard someone complaining about the Twins and their injury concerns, which is valid, of course, and lamenting that oft injured Royce Lewis is just another reiteration of Byron Buxton, another oft injured Twin. The two couldn't really be further apart, however, and I can tell you that Lewis is far more concerning than Buxton, even in his 30s and knowing what I know about his history. 

In their own ways, Buxton and Lewis evoke the old school and new school ethos in both their positives and their potential pitfalls. Buxton is a pure athlete and lays it all out on the field. It's what so many long time fans, and even new ones desire to see. Visible, tangible effort. Lewis is strong. His natural athleticism has been augmented by time in the gym and his development of raw power that was evident in his first ride in the postseason, and seems to crop up most evidently when bases are loaded. 

Of course, the flip side of this has come up far too often. Buxton's aggression has led to him into walls and awkward dives, which has led to broken bones, deep bruises and swelling. Lewis, alternatively, has seen his muscle development lead directly to pulled muscles and strains. Of course, he has had some catastrophic knee injuries, but those haven't been the issue as he's reached the Majors. It's been hamstrings and lat strains and generally things that I don't have to deal with because I don't have muscles. 

Buxton isn't inherently prone to injury because of his bodily structure, and there is a chance that he could remain healthy with good circumstances and a more calibrated approach in the field. He keeps getting hurt because he's playing as hard as we all want our athletes to play, and also because Minnesota is cursed. 

Lewis is like modern day pitchers. We've developed pitching techniques, strength building and performance to a level that is beyond what ligaments can sustain. Pitchers are stronger and throwing harder, and it is tearing apart UCLs across all levels of baseball. Royce Lewis is a product of the evolution of baseball and professional athleticism. He works hard, has developed a size and strength that unfortunately, tests his muscles and tendons every time he exerts himself. 

We can see Buxton plow into the center field fence and know problems have arisen. Lewis has a tendency to pull up after rounding a base because something has grabbed or feels uncomfortable. This is much harder to plan around or feel good about long term. Buxton, on the other hand, may prove to be less injury prone as he grows older. 

Whatever the case, the Twins need them (and Carlos Correa) to stay on the field if they want to be successful. Oh, and they need to actually produce when they are on the field. That would be nice as well.

Old friends

 The Twins did a lot this offseason. They overhauled the pitching rotation, added the biggest free agent on the market and swung a blockbuster trade with the Yankees to fill two spots on the roster. Then, naturally, Minnesota fell on their face coming out of the gate. 

Subsequently, they went on a 6 game winning streak that is still ongoing. They swept the White Sox and are on the precipice of a sweep of the Tigers as well. The revamped pitching staff is performing above expectations, and the offense has started humming as well. 

I've already mentioned Byron Buxton's explosive start. Losing him to injury early on was surely a primary issue with the way the season started. Other players are waking from their slumber as well, with Max Kepler, Ryan Jeffers and even a timely hit from Miguel Sano leading the way. 

In the last 4 games, Kepler has collected 7 hits, including three home runs, and boosted his overall WAR to .8 after hovering around 0 before the series with the White Sox. I had noted previously that Kepler was one of the players that was hitting the ball hard consistently, and had an xwOBA that didn't match his production. Kepler has always been unable to overcome shifts played against him, but he is now hitting the ball far enough that it hasn't mattered. 

Sano might be coming around as well. He still strikes out a lot, but his numbers are at the lowest rate of his career, while his walk rate is at the highest. He is a victim of a very low BABIP, and he has a xwOBA that is higher than any season, except his two best, in 2019 and 2017. He launched a rocket off of Robbie Grossman's glove to start the laugher that won the game for Minnesota, but he made solid contact in other at bats as well. His approach is leading to better peripherals, and those will inevitably lead to better results. He has a second off day in a row today, but that has more to do with finding a spot for Luis Arraez. 

Ryan Jeffers has seen a lot more action since Gary Sanchez suffered a knock last week. He has come through during the winning streak, getting 4 of his 9 hits in just the last three games. He also drove in 4 and hit a homer in that stretch. Jeffers is also the better defensive option, so keeping him in the lineup is a preferred option for the Twins. 

All of these guys were on the roster last year. A lot is made of free agency, and the Twins' typical reluctance to spend big during the offseason, but this hot stretch should reemphasize the importance of player development, and having a good core to build around. Carlos Correa and Gio Urshela will hit, certainly, but this team will really only be successful if the holdovers hold their own. 

All Hail Byron Buxton

 As a base salary, Byron Buxton is scheduled to make less in 7 years  than what Carlos Correa is scheduled to make in 3 years. With the way this season has started, it seems as though the Twins got a bargain on Byron Buxton.

Of course, there is no shortage of accelerators and incentives in Buxton's contract, but the point remains the same. Byron Buxton has been electric in the 10 games he has played this season, and is already responsible for 1.3WAR, which is somehow more than the entire Twins team. Byron Buxton is going to make his money, and he is going to earn every penny. 

Buxton has long been well known for his speed and defense. For years, I've been insisting that, even without a bat, he was a tremendously valuable player. In an era where players are almost exclusively gunning for home runs, having a rangy center fielder is akin to having a top short stop in the Golden Days. The Twins now have one of each, of course. 

The thing that sets this season apart is the power. 6 home runs in 12 games is pretty incredible, especially given that the weather has generally been uncooperative for the month of April. Buxton, if he plays 140 games would be on pace for 84 home runs. Half that in as many games would still be an incredible performance, reminiscent of Ken Griffey, all while I was waiting for Buxton to become Kenny Lofton.

Many people, myself included, were surprised that Buxton opted to remain in the Twin Cities long term, especially at a fairly reasonable rate. I thought he felt burned by the organization, but it seems as though he is quite dedicated to the Twins and Minnesota. An added element to his game, something that is emerging this year, is Buxton taking on a leadership role, both as a spokesperson, and through example. 

Josh Donaldson, the natural veteran leader of the Pandemic Years was traded away, and the big star acquisition, Correa, has outspokenly been deferent to Buxton, suggesting a clubhouse hierarchy with the centerfielder at the top. Just as importantly, after a very sluggish start, the Twins are back above .500 and atop the central through luck and sheer force of Byron Buxton's will. 

Byron Buxton is a special player, and his start to 2022 has been as special as he is. Appreciate it, and appreciate that everything that the Twins organization did was to build for and around him. Buxton is already trying to pay the twins back.