That’s what happens when you’re arguably the best defensive outfielder on the planet, and offensively, you’re batting .278 with a 907 OPS and 147 OPS+, the latter two of which rank No. 1 among all MLB center fielders.

In 65 games played this season, Byron Buxton has already batted in 49 runs and scored 51 more. He’s collected 69 total hits, including 3 triples, 10 doubles and 18 home runs, the last of which he hit Friday night in Detroit.

Byron Buxton mashes his 18th homer of the year! pic.twitter.com/euzOlk9ApI

— MLB (@MLB) June 28, 2025

Entering Saturday’s game in Detroit, Buxton — who’s played all but 11 games on the season — has already accumulated 3.2 bWAR, 15th highest in Major League Baseball and second among AL center fielders, behind only Julio Rodriguez (3.8 bWAR).

Speaking of home runs, not only is Buck hoping to be named an All-Star for the second time in his MLB career, he’d be open to accepting even more responsibilities during the 3-day Mid-Summer Classic break, than just playing in the All-Star Game main event, itself.

Byron Buxton wants in on 2025 MLB Home Run Derby?

Byron Buxton told Bobby Nightengale (Star Tribune) on Friday that he would indeed be interested in being a Home Run Derby participant, too, especially when this year’s star-studded contest will take place just outside of Buxton’s hometown of Baxley, GA, which would make his HR Derby debut even more special.

“I’d be interested [in the Home Run Derby], for sure. I’d think about it…The fact that it’s in Georgia, to do something like that with family and people who have known me a long time being there for it, it would be hard to turn that down.”

Byron Buxton (quote via the Star Tribune)

So, now that we know Byron Buxton would likely accept his invitation to the 2025 MLB Home Run Derby, if one is extended, the obvious question remains — will he be asked? Well, that answer is far less black and white.

The 30-year-old Georgia native’s 18 homers currently rank in a four-way tie for 13th most in Major League Baseball. Mariners’ slugger Cal Raleigh leads the MLB with 32 home runs. He has already committed to the 2025 HR Derby, as has Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna Jr.

Related: Royce Lewis Rehab Assignment Incoming… and Way Ahead of Schedule

If Byron wants to increase his chances of competing in the Home Run Derby on June 14, it’s in his best interest to finish off the MLB first half with POWER. If Buxton can climb into the top 10 among HR hitters before final selections are made, it would be difficult for Major League Baseball to keep him out of his hometown derby.

We already know a few sluggers around and above Byron in the 2025 home run race who have opted out of participating in next month’s HR Derby. The list of opt-outs includes Aaron Judge, Elly De La Cruz and 2024 champion, Teoscar Hernandez. Two players, Ronald Acuna Jr and Cal Raleigh have already officially committed.

Will the Minnesota Twins superstar make AL All-Star roster?

As far as whether Buck will make the AL All-Star roster for the second time in his MLB career… that is far from guaranteed too. We already know he will not start. Possible outfield starters were whittled down to four on Friday, and Byron did not make the cut.

Phase 2 of MLB All-Star voting will begin on Monday. During phase 1, Byron Buxton finished 8th in AL outfield voting, with 920,986 votes, about 100,000 votes short of Steven Kwan (1.2M), who was the fifth and final outfielder to make the phase 1 cutoff.

Unfortunately, Carlos Correa left the game in the 1st inning, after taking a fastball to the hand in his first at bat. Initial tests came back negative for any sort of fracture, and he has already committed to being available for the Twins on Monday vs the Chicago White Sox.

Carlos Correa selected to 2024 MLB All-Star Game

That means he should also be good to play in the 2024 MLB All-Star game, after being selected to the American League squad this evening.

It’s not his first rodeo! Congratulations to Carlos Correa on being named to the 2024 All Star Game! pic.twitter.com/i1DwrwQfP4

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) July 7, 2024

It’s Correa’s third appearance in the Mid-Summer Classic. This season’s MLB All-Star game is being held at Globe Life Field in Texas on Tuesday, July 16. He was named a starter in 2017 and a reserve in 2021, both as a Houston Astro. This is his first All-Star Game as a member of the Minnesota Twins.

Related: Minnesota Twins Still Hope to Offer Blackout-Free Standalone Streaming Package This Season

Carlos Correa rewarded for best start of Minnesota Twins career

Correa earned this selection by being one of the hottest hitters in Major League Baseball over the last month. Since June 6, the 29-year-old shortstop is hitting .389 with a 1.080 OPS. He’s also piled up 5 doubles, 7 homers and 23 RBI in that span.

CARLOS CORREA OH MY pic.twitter.com/0XYZjq6Jz5

— Twins Central (@TwinsCentral1) June 16, 2024

And it’s not like Carlos Correa was hitting poorly during the spring. In fact, this season was probably the best start of his storied 10-year MLB career. His scolding hot month has pushed his season batting average all the way up to .305, his OPS up to .881.

Related: The Twins Had What They Need to be True World Series Contenders

If the season ended today, both would be among Correa’s career highs. He’s been worth every penny of his $30 million salary at the halfway point of the season. In fact, he’s playing at a level he never has since signing in Minnesota. And next week, he’ll be rewarded with another All-Star appearance.

That’s because, on Saturday afternoon, news broke that Buxton had received a platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection into his knee on Wednesday, following his appearance in the All-Star game the night before. The PRP injection, which takes a few days to a week to recover from, was pre-planned.

But the Twins had to push the treatment back from Monday to Wednesday, because of Buck’s All-Star appearance on Tuesday. Had he gotten the injection when the All-Star break first got underway (Monday), it’s very possible he would have been ready to take the field for the Minnesota Twins this weekend.

Wrote how the All-Star Game altered Byron Buxton’s treatment plans. Had he not played — and hit the game-winning homer — Buxton likely would have had a PRP shot on Mon. Had to wait til Wednesday, which likely keeps him out of this 2-game series.https://t.co/ueKiK5vIM4 https://t.co/ZqtBHapjRw

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 23, 2022

Selfish, understandable or… both?

In a vacuum, Byron Buxton’s decision to play in the All-Star game last week was a selfish one. He knew it would cause him to miss at least two games this weekend vs the Tigers. From a literal standpoint, there’s no arguing that Buck chose a personal accolade over helping his team win this weekend.

But this isn’t a vacuum and there’s a lot that goes into the situation. First, it was Byron’s first ever All-Star selection and there’s no guarantee he will ever get back to the mid-summer classic. That’s worth something.

Not to mention what an All-Star appearance can do for a young star’s confidence, which Dan Hayes (The Athletic) pointed out on Twitter.

There’s benefit on the player side of the confidence that comes from knowing you’re that good and belong. Can’t tell you how many first-time All-Stars have said the experience means more than they ever thought. And none of those guys hit the game-winning homer.

— DanHayesMLB (@DanHayesMLB) July 23, 2022

It’s difficult to put yourself in Byron Buxton’s shoes and imagine making any other decision outside of the one he did. To fly out to LA on Jim Pohlad’s private jet and live your best life as one of the best baseball players in the world, this summer.

As a fan praying every night to see the Minnesota Twins make a playoff run, Buxton’s decision is disappointing. But as a human being who understands that life is short, I can’t blame him or pretend like I’d do anything different.

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

Alright, Minnesota Twins’ fans. Here is your chance to put the Minnesota Twins on your shoulders and lift 4 players into the MLB All-Star game that will be played in Cleveland, come July 9.

Over the next 28 hours (starts at 11 CT on 6/26) you will be afforded the opportunity to vote for the MLB All-Star Game starters (links and directions to vote below). But, here is where things get serious… Each position has 3 players to vote for (9 total outfielders/3 starters). The players that win will be the starters of next month’s big game. Those who DO NOT get selected…. well, they aren’t even guaranteed a spot on the team, period.

So, don’t leave our All-Star fate up to the assholes around the MLB. Take control Twins’ fans! This is our time!!! Let’s get all four of these fuckers starting in this game.

The way I understand the rules, you can vote 5 times (only 4 Twins available so pick your 5th) in the first 24 hours, before everything resets. The real fan MVP’s will get to vote 10 total times on MLB.com (sometime in the first 4 hours and then again tomorrow when it resets, but before the voting ends at 3 PM)

That’s not the only way to vote, though. You can also vote on Google by just searching the player’s name in the search bar and then clicking just one “vote” button.

I’ve made it easier. Click each player below and a new tab will open where you will be taken directly to their Google voting ballot:

1. Jorge Polanco
2. C.J. Cron
3. Eddie Rosario
4. Nelson Cruz

NOW THAT YOU’VE VOTED ON GOOGLE, CLICK HERE TO ALSO VOTE AT MLB.COM

Eric Strack | Minnesota Sports Fan

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