History of Byron Buxton in Timeline

Byron Buxton is a professional baseball center fielder and designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins. Drafted second overall in 2012, he was highly touted. Buxton was named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year in 2013. He debuted in MLB in 2015, won a Gold Glove Award in 2017, and has been selected as an MLB All-Star twice. His career has been marked by flashes of brilliance and recognition for his defensive skills.

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Full Timeline

December 18, 1993: Byron Buxton Born

Byron Keiron Buxton was born on December 18, 1993. He is an American professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

May 22, 2009: Michael Cuddyer hits for cycle

On May 22, 2009, Michael Cuddyer was the last Minnesota player to accomplish the feat at home at the Metrodome.

June 12, 2012: Signs with the Twins

On June 12, 2012, Buxton signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins, which included a $6 million signing bonus.

2012: Began Dating Lindsey Tillery

In 2012, Buxton began dating Lindsey Tillery, who also attended Appling County High School.

2012: Drafted Second Overall

In 2012, Byron Buxton was considered a top talent and drafted as the second overall pick in the MLB draft.

2013: Continued success in the Minor Leagues

In 2013, Buxton started the season with the Cedar Rapids Kernels, was promoted to the Fort Myers Miracle in June, represented the Twins at the All-Star Futures Game, and was named the Midwest League Most Valuable Player, Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, and Topps Minor League Player of the Year.

2013: Birth of First Son

In 2013, Byron Buxton and Lindsey Tillery welcomed their first son.

2013: Minor League Player of the Year

In 2013, Byron Buxton won Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year Award.

2014: Rated as Top Prospect Despite Injury

Despite missing most of the 2014 season due to injury, Buxton was still rated as the best prospect in baseball by MLB.com and Baseball Prospectus at the start of 2015.

2014: Injury and Setbacks

In 2014, Buxton experienced an injury during spring training, spraining his left wrist. He was later reactivated and assigned to Fort Myers, where he reinjured his wrist. He was later promoted to New Britain, where he suffered a concussion in his first game on August 13.

2015: MLB Debut

Byron Buxton made his Major League Baseball debut in 2015.

2016: Starting Center Fielder and Option to Rochester

In 2016, Buxton began the season as the Twins' starting center fielder but was optioned to Rochester on April 25 after struggling at the plate. He was later called up again and remained at center field. Buxton also led MLB in average sprint speed at 30.8 feet per second.

2016: Married Lindsey Tillery

In 2016, Byron Buxton married Lindsey Tillery.

2017: Opening Day Center Fielder and Awards

In 2017, Buxton was once again the Twins' opening day center fielder. On August 18, he had the fastest inside-the-park home run ever recorded by Statcast at 13.85 seconds, and on August 27, he hit three home runs against the Toronto Blue Jays. He also won several awards including a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award, a Fielding Bible Award, a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and the Platinum Glove Award for the American League and led MLB in sprint speed, at 30.5 feet per second.

2017: Gold Glove Award

In 2017, Byron Buxton won the Gold Glove Award and is a two-time MLB All-Star.

2018: Injury Stints and Option to Triple-A

In 2018, Buxton's season was hampered by a toe injury and migraines, leading to stints on the disabled list. On July 2, he was activated but also optioned to Triple-A Rochester. He was not promoted during September call-ups, which caused disappointment. He led MLB in sprint speed at 30.5 feet per second.

April 5, 2019: Jorge Polanco hits for cycle

On April 5, 2019, Jorge Polanco was the last Twin to hit for the cycle before Buxton, against the Philadelphia Phillies.

April 22, 2019: Stolen Base Streak Ends

On April 22, 2019, Byron Buxton's streak of 33 stolen bases ended after being caught stealing by Robinson Chirinos of the Houston Astros.

2019: Co-owns Ellianos Coffee Franchise

In 2019, Buxton co-owns an Ellianos Coffee franchise in Baxley, Georgia, alongside his family. He was introduced to the brand in 2019 and saw an opportunity to open a store during the COVID-19 pandemic.

September 7, 2020: Last Grounded Into Double Play

On September 7, 2020, before June 2022, Buxton last grounded into a double play.

2020: Abbreviated Season and Shoulder Injury

During the 2020 Major League Baseball season which was abbreviated, Buxton played 39 of Minnesota's 60 games. He missed time due to a shoulder injury sustained in late August.

2020: Birth of Second Son

In 2020, Byron Buxton and Lindsey Tillery welcomed their second son.

April 2021: American League Player of the Month

In April 2021, Buxton was named the American League Player of the Month after hitting .426 with 8 home runs and 14 RBIs.

December 1, 2021: Contract Extension with the Twins

On December 1, 2021, Buxton signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with the Twins.

June 9, 2022: Consecutive Home Runs

On June 9, 2022, Luis Arráez, Buxton, and Correa hit consecutive home runs off Gerrit Cole to open the bottom of the first inning versus the New York Yankees, and Buxton then hit a three-run home run in the second inning.

June 2022: Home Run Record

In June 2022, Buxton hit his 44th home run since he had last grounded into a double play, surpassing a record of 43 held by Matt Carpenter.

July 5, 2022: Involved in Triple Play

On July 5, 2022, Buxton started the first 8–5 triple play in major league history when he caught a fly ball at the wall versus the Chicago White Sox.

2023: Primary Designated Hitter

During the 2023 spring training, Buxton was moved to being the Twins' primary DH to keep him in the lineup for the full season.

2023: Birth of Third Son

In 2023, Byron Buxton and Lindsey Tillery welcomed their third son.

2024: Return to Center Field

In 2024, Buxton was moved back to center field, slashing .279/.335/.524 in 105 games.

May 1, 2025: 100th Career Stolen Base

On May 1, 2025, Buxton stole his 100th career stolen base against the Cleveland Guardians, becoming the eighth player in Minnesota Twins history to reach that milestone. He also became the third player since the franchise moved to the Twin Cities to reach both 100 steals and 100 homers.

June 19, 2025: Two Home Runs in a Victory

On June 19, 2025, Buxton hit two home runs in 12-5 victory against the Cincinnati Reds. His first-inning long ball was the 12th leadoff homer of his career, tied for the fifth most in Twins history.

July 12, 2025: Hits for the Cycle

On July 12, 2025, Buxton hit for the cycle in a 12–4 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates on his bobblehead day. He became the 350th player to hit for the cycle in major-league history, the 12th player in Twins history (since 1961) to hit for the cycle, and the first player to do so at Target Field, which opened in 2010.

April 13, 2026: All-Time Leader in Home Runs at Target Field

On April 13, 2026, Buxton hit a solo home run against the Boston Red Sox, making him the all-time leader in home runs at Target Field with 85 homers, passing Max Kepler.