DALLAS — Byron Buxton’s tear at the plate has been so prolific that it’s almost expected he’ll add another layer of amazing offense every night. Given how difficult it is to hit in the major leagues, that’s an absurdly unfair expectation.Yet the way the Minnesota Twins center fielder is currently hitting, his feats are becoming a common occurrence.Named the American League’s Player of the Week on Monday, Buxton started the next seven-day stretch with a solo homer in a 4-2 victory over the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field.
What is the best thing you could get Trevor for his birthday?
A BUCK HOMER!!! ⭐️ https://t.co/sw89IiB2Bw pic.twitter.com/BIHoWYSCSC
— Twins.TV (@twinstv) June 16, 2026Even though it’s the second time Buxton has been named the AL’s Player of the Week this season, his teammates were shocked to learn he’s currently only fourth among vote-getters in All-Star voting despite ranking third in the majors with 23 home runs.“He’s one of the best outfielders in the game,” Twins manager Derek Shelton said. “If I could make any plea to our fanbase, it’s get out and vote. Because this guy deserves to be a starting outfielder in the All-Star Game. If you look at his numbers compared to everyone else, you’re going to be hard-pressed to tell me that there’s three other people that are more deserving.”If Buxton keeps this up, there’s little doubt he will receive his third All-Star trip next month. But as big an honor as it would be to make it, his teammates think it’s beyond time he started.Currently, Buxton trails Aaron Judge, Mike Trout and Cody Bellinger in the AL vote.Buxton showcased his ability at a critical time on Monday for a team trying to claw its way back into the playoff picture.With the Twins ahead 3-2 and Texas starter MacKenzie Gore having course-corrected after a rough first inning by retiring 13 of 14 batters, Buxton delivered a big hit. Buxton blasted a 1-0 cut-fastball over the heart of the plate into the left-field bleachers to provide a key insurance run for a team employing a bullpen game strategy. The run was the last surrendered by Gore in an outing in which he struck out 10.Buxton, who went homerless in his first 14 games this season, the result of lost rhythm after he accrued only nine plate appearances over three weeks playing for Team USA, is now one home run behind Philadelphia’s Kyle Schwarber and Houston’s Yordan Alvarez for the major-league lead.Since hitting his first homer, Buxton is batting .302/.356/.698 with 23 round-trippers and 35 RBIs in 48 games.
