What Happened to Byron Keiron Buxton?
Byron Buxton is an American professional baseball center fielder and designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins, known for his elite speed, defense, and power. Despite a career frequently impacted by injuries, he signed a significant contract extension in 2021 and experienced a resurgent 2025 season, earning All-Star and Silver Slugger honors. As of March 2026, he is participating in the World Baseball Classic for Team USA, having recently avoided a significant injury scare.
Quick Answer
Byron Buxton, the Minnesota Twins' star center fielder, has navigated a career marked by immense talent and recurring injuries. After a 2023 season limited to designated hitter duties due to a knee injury, he returned to center field in 2024 and had a career-best year in 2025, earning an All-Star selection and a Silver Slugger Award. As of March 2026, Buxton is representing Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and recently avoided a serious injury after being hit by a pitch, with X-rays coming back negative.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline14 events
Born in Baxley, Georgia
Byron Keiron Buxton was born in Baxley, Georgia, where he later attended Appling County High School. [6, 7]
Drafted 2nd Overall by Minnesota Twins
Considered one of the most talented players available, Buxton was selected as the second overall pick by the Minnesota Twins in the MLB Draft. [3, 7]
Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year
Buxton quickly established himself as a top prospect, earning the prestigious Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award. [7]
MLB Debut with Minnesota Twins
Buxton made his highly anticipated Major League Baseball debut for the Minnesota Twins. [6, 7]
Wins Gold Glove Award
Buxton's exceptional defensive skills were recognized with a Gold Glove Award, solidifying his reputation as an elite center fielder. [2, 7]
Signs 7-Year, $100 Million Contract Extension
The Minnesota Twins signed Buxton to a long-term contract extension, a deal heavily incentivized based on performance and health. [1, 10]
First MLB All-Star Selection
Buxton was named an MLB All-Star for the first time in his career, a testament to his impactful play when healthy. [7, 8]
Limited to Designated Hitter Due to Knee Injury
A knee injury restricted Buxton to playing solely as a designated hitter for 85 games, and he underwent offseason surgery. [7, 16]
Returns to Center Field
After his 2023 injury, Buxton successfully returned to his primary position in center field, batting .279 in 105 games. [7, 16, 17]
Steals 100th Career Base
Buxton stole his 100th career base against the Cleveland Guardians, becoming the eighth player in Twins history to reach this milestone. [7]
All-Star & Silver Slugger Award Winner
Buxton had a career-best season, playing 126 games, hitting 35 home runs, 83 RBIs, and stealing 24 bases, earning his second All-Star nod and first Silver Slugger. [6, 11, 15, 17, 18]
Joins Team USA for World Baseball Classic
Following his stellar 2025 season, Buxton was added to Team USA's roster for the 2026 World Baseball Classic, marking his debut in the tournament. [3]
Addresses Offseason Trade Rumors
Buxton publicly expressed frustration over offseason trade rumors, reaffirming his desire to remain with the Minnesota Twins due to his full no-trade clause. [20]
Avoids Serious Injury Scare at WBC
During a World Baseball Classic game against Brazil, Buxton was hit by a pitch on his forearm. He exited the game as a precaution, but X-rays were negative, and he was reported to be 'feeling fine.' [9, 24, 25]
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Byron Keiron Buxton, born December 18, 1993, was a highly touted prospect, selected as the second overall pick by the Minnesota Twins in the 2012 MLB Draft. He quickly rose through the minor league ranks, earning Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year Award in 2013, and made his MLB debut in 2015. [7]
Early in his career, Buxton showcased his five-tool potential, winning a Gold Glove Award in 2017 for his exceptional defense in center field. However, his career has been consistently hampered by a series of injuries, limiting his games played and often preventing him from reaching his full potential over a full season. [7, 10]
In December 2021, Buxton signed a significant seven-year, $100 million contract extension with the Twins, a deal heavily structured with performance-based incentives tied to MVP voting and plate appearances, reflecting both his high ceiling and the team's awareness of his injury history. [1, 4, 5, 10] The 2022 season saw him earn his first All-Star selection, but 2023 was another challenging year, as a knee injury limited him to just 85 games, exclusively as a designated hitter, and he underwent offseason surgery. [7, 12, 16]
Buxton made a determined return to center field in 2024, batting .279 in 105 games. [7, 17] This set the stage for a remarkable resurgence in 2025, where he appeared in 126 games – his highest total since 2017 – and delivered one of the best seasons of his career. He achieved career highs with 35 home runs, 83 RBIs, and 97 runs scored, along with 24 stolen bases without being caught. His stellar performance earned him a second All-Star selection and his first Silver Slugger Award. [6, 7, 11, 15, 17, 18, 25]
As of March 2026, Buxton's strong 2025 season led to his inclusion on Team USA's roster for the World Baseball Classic. [3, 13] During the tournament, on March 7, 2026, he experienced an injury scare after being hit by a pitch on his forearm against Brazil. Fortunately, X-rays were negative, and his removal from the game was deemed precautionary, allowing him to avoid significant time off. [9, 21, 24, 25, 27] Despite some offseason trade rumors, Buxton has expressed his commitment to the Twins, citing his full no-trade clause and desire to remain with the team. [20] He is expected to be a key player for the Twins in the upcoming 2026 MLB season.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Byron Keiron Buxton made different choices?