Outside Looking In

Homers or bust

To show how much Major League Baseball has focused mainly on home runs, consider Byron Buxton's inclusion in the All-Star Game.
This is certainly not a knock on Buxton, a five-tool player who has more athletic ability than most players. Before you Buxton fans get all your feathers ruffled, please consider I admire and enjoy any player that gives it his all on the field as Buxton does.
This is more to show how baseball has changed in recent years and focuses more on home runs than anything else because that's what Major League Baseball hierarchy feels is what brings fans to the game.
While Buxton is s special player to watch when he is healthy (which is an average of half a season), it's unlikely that he would even have been named to the American League All-Star team a few years ago based on his current statistics.
Consider, in his last 16 games leading up to the All-Star Game, Buxton was 9-for-61, a .148 batting average, while striking out 27 times, the most of any player in the majors over that period. He had three homers, one double, one triple snd only four singles over those 16 games
Buxton finished the first half with a dismal .216 batting average and a well belove average .293 on-base percentage. But because he swatted 23 home runs, eighth most in the majors, he made the team despite having only 43 RBI, which ranks only 62nd in the majors. His batting average with runners in scoring position is only .178 this season. Also, despite being one of the fastest players in the league, he has stolen only two bases. Hardly All-Star worthy numbers.
Buxton also missed many games with injury or "rest" days designed by Twins management in an attempt to keep him playing a full season. Many of the games Buxton played were as the designated hitter or as a pinch-hitter, so he hasn't been able to showcase his defensive abilities much at all this season.
Because of Mike Trout's injury, Buxton was put in the AL starting lineup and batted sixth.
Analytical nerds of today base player's worth on WAR numbers, an over-analyzed statistic based somewhat on hypothetical situations. Buxton's WAR ranks 33rd among major leaguers.
If healthy and not coddled by the Twins, Buxton could be one of the top five players in the majors. Sitting every third or fourth game does not allow him to get into a groove at the plate or on the field. Let him stretch out his legs and utilize his speed instead of having him sit in the dugout on a "rest" day or as a designated hitter. He was able to start the All-Star Game in center field and homered in his second at bat after striking out the first time.
Naysayers who read this column will say "See, you were wrong about Buxton." On the contrary, it proves that he should play every day in the outfield.
Check out his total statistics from last year when he played around the same number of games and at bats for that entire season as he has in the first half of this year. You will be surprised to see that he has fallen far in nearly every category except for four more home runs this year.
Again, this is more the fault of management than the player.
It's unfair to judge a player on potential when picking an All-Star team. If that player's numbers don't add up, you can't say that he would most definitely be an All-Star if he was healthy. While that statement is true, it's not fair to someone more deserving. But home runs are what a player is valued on and Buxton certainly fits the bill.
To prove a point that home runs and not RBI or on-base percentage, matter more in today's game, consider Freddie Freeman of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He finished the first half batting .321 with 59 RBI and a .397 on-base percentage, all numbers that are All-Star worthy, yet wasn't selected until Sarling Marte pulled out of the All-Star game on Sunday. Had his batting average been 50 points lower, but he had five more homers, he would have been an original selection to the Game.
It just goes to show that home runs put fans in the seats and money in team owners' pockets.
You have to feel sorry for Buxton and it's nice that he was named to the AL All-Star team, whether or not you feel he was deserving. It has to be hard to have that much talent and not be able to showcase it for an entire season, much like what Tiger Woods is now going through.
You might say Luis Arraez made the All-Star team despite not being a home run hitter. But he has led the majors in hitting through most of the first half of the season and you can't leave him off. Still, if you poll Twins fans and ask them who is the best player for the Twins has been so far this year, most will still tell you it's Buxton because of the homers.
It's sad that baseball has fallen into a home run contest every game, with sacrifice or suicide bunting, hit-and-run, or intentionally trying to move runners up with a groundout all falling by the wayside for the most part. The game now is based on homers or strikeouts.
Why have a home run contest as part of All-Star Game festivities? You can watch that any night of the week in a regular-season game.

Farmers Market
Get your goodies and crafts together because it's almost time for the Minneota Farmer's Market to begin.
The Farmer's Market is open from 5-7 every Thursday night beginning tonight (July 21) on the west parking lot of Veterans Park along First Street.
Volunteer entertainment is sought and appreciated for this event each week. Contact Jenny at 507-828-7826 or come to the Farmers Market and speak with her there.
While vendors are charged a fee to set up at most Famers Markets, this one does not cost you anything. Just bring your own product, tables, signs, etc. and set up. There is no registering. Just come and set up when you can.

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Address: 201 N. Jefferson
Minneota, MN 56264

Phone:(507) 872-6492