Byron Buxton of
Appling County (Baxley, Ga.) told MaxPreps in February that being drafted by a Major League team would be "a dream come true."
Sitting among a crowd at a draft party in his hometown Monday night, Buxton saw his dream come true when commissioner Bud Selig walked to the podium and announced that the Minnesota Twins had selected the 6-foot-2, 190-pound center fielder with the second overall pick in the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft.
Byron Buxton, Minnesota Twins
Courtesy photo
"It's an exciting feeling that I'm with the Twins now," Buxton said during a live interview on the MLB Network's television coverage. "I'm just ready to go out and play ball."
The fleet-footed centerfielder also told MaxPreps that if he was drafted in the first round and the money was "right," he would sign a pro contract and forgo the opportunity to play on a full baseball scholarship at the University of Georgia. There's every reason to believe he'll do just that.
With restructured salary contract negotiations in place for 2012 as a result of the new labor agreement, it's not likely Buxton will sign for the same amount as last year's second overall pick, left-handed pitcher Danny Hultzen, who signed a contract worth a guaranteed $8.5 million with the Seattle Mariners.
Minnesota's slot value for their second pick in the first round is $6.2 million, so it's safe to assume that Buxton's contract will be near that, and certainly the "right" amount of money to convince him to sign.
MaxPreps MLB Draft Day Central
Drafted primarily for his prowess at the plate and his speed on the basepaths, ironically it was Buxton's arm that clinched the school's first Georgia Class AA baseball state title in history when the hard-throwing righthander went the distance in the championship game, striking out 18 to give Appling County (35-3) a 6-4 win over Pierce County.
The 2012 Gatorade Georgia Player of the Year and a 2011 Under Armour All-American, Buxton finished the season 10-1 on the mound with 154 strikeouts in 81 innings. He also picked up five saves. But despite his talent on the mound, the star is happier patrolling the outfield.
"I'd rather play the outfield than pitch," Buxton told MaxPreps before the season. "I like playing center field because that position is the head of everybody. I like to be the one in charge and leading everyone."
Buxton, who has been compared to the Braves' Jason Heyward, has been anointed by scouts as a rare five-tool talent. He can do it all as his .513 batting average, .803 slugging percentage, 35 RBIs and 68 runs scored demonstrate. He also stole 38 bases in 39 attempts. His stats say it all, but what doesn't show up in the box scores is his dedication to getting better each and every day.
"His work ethic is unbelievable," Appling coach Jeremy Smith said. "We have an indoor batting cage and he'll go up there late at night and hit for hours. He's the first one to arrive to practice and the last one to leave. He is very, very dedicated."
"Buck," as he's known to his friends, is a simple guy who owns a 4-wheel drive pickup truck, likes to go mud bogging and enjoys fishing. He might not have as much time to do those things once he signs a pro contract, but that's OK with the modest young man.
After all, it's always been his dream to be a pro baseball player, and now that dream has finally come true.
Jon Buzby is the sports columnist for the Newark Post, a freelance writer, and on the broadcast team for the 1290AM The Ticket High School Football and Basketball Games of the Week. You can reach him at jonbuzby@hotmail.com.
