Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins is gearing up for the Home Run Derby as part of the MLB All-Star Weekend. This year marks his second All-Star Game selection, and he expressed excitement about competing in the derby alongside notable players such as Ronald Acuña Jr. from the Atlanta Braves, Cal Raleigh from the Seattle Mariners, and James Wood from the Washington Nationals.
Buxton is having an impressive season, boasting 20 home runs and 53 RBIs, with a batting average of .270. He is positioned fifth in home runs across the American League and is tied for the 12th most in the majors, signaling a potential career year as he aims to exceed his previous highs in both homers and RBIs.
In what promises to be a competitive derby, Buxton will face stiff challenges. Acuña, having recently returned to action in late May, has already hit nine homers within 40 games and enjoys the advantage of home-field thanks to the event being hosted in Atlanta. Meanwhile, the 22-year-old Wood has been having a breakout season with 23 home runs and 67 RBIs. His recent performances have drawn significant attention, including a game where he received four intentional walks, a sign of his growing impact at the plate.
Raleigh stands out as a particularly exciting participant this year. With a remarkable 35 home runs and a trajectory toward setting a career-high in RBIs, he has already established a record for homers by a catcher before the All-Star break, making him a formidable contender in the derby.
Overall, Buxton’s participation in the Home Run Derby adds to the anticipation of an exciting All-Star Weekend, highlighting not only his talents but also the deep pool of skilled competitors in this year’s event. Fans can look forward to a thrilling showcase of power hitting that celebrates the achievements and promising futures of these athletes.