History of Byron Buxton in Timeline

Byron Buxton is a professional baseball player, currently a center fielder and designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins in MLB. Known for his exceptional athleticism and defensive skills, Buxton was a highly touted prospect. He was drafted second overall by the Twins in 2012. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, when healthy, Buxton has demonstrated his immense talent, earning accolades such as a Gold Glove Award and a Silver Slugger Award. He is recognized for his speed, power, and ability to impact the game both offensively and defensively.

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Full Timeline

December 18, 1993: Byron Buxton Born

On December 18, 1993, Byron Keiron Buxton was born. He would grow up to become a professional baseball center fielder and designated hitter for the Minnesota Twins.

Others born on this day/year

June 12, 2012: Signed with the Twins

On June 12, 2012, Byron Buxton signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins, which included a $6 million signing bonus, officially beginning his professional baseball career.

2012: Began Dating Lindsey Tillery

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

2012: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins

In 2012, Byron Buxton was considered a top prospect and was drafted second overall by the Minnesota Twins in the Major League Baseball draft.

2013: Birth of First Son

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

2013: Named Midwest League MVP

In 2013, Byron Buxton had a stellar season, leading to him being named the Midwest League Most Valuable Player, Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, and the Topps Minor League Player of the Year.

2013: Minor League Player of the Year

In 2013, Byron Buxton won Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year Award, recognizing his outstanding performance in the minor leagues.

2014: Ranked as top prospect

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

2014: Injury-Plagued Season

In 2014, Buxton faced setbacks due to injuries. He started the season on the disabled list due to a wrist injury sustained during spring training. After returning and playing a few games, he reinjured his wrist, and later suffered a concussion in August after a collision. These injuries limited his playing time throughout the 2014 season.

2015: MLB Debut

In 2015, Byron Buxton made his Major League Baseball debut, marking a significant milestone in his professional career.

2015: MLB Debut and Thumb Injury

In 2015, Byron Buxton made his major league debut for the Twins on June 14, scoring the game-winning run. He recorded his first hit, a triple, in his second game. However, after ten games, Buxton suffered a thumb sprain and was placed on the disabled list.

2016: Marriage to Lindsey Tillery

In 2016, Byron Buxton married Lindsey Tillery.

2016: Starting Center Fielder and Option to Rochester

In 2016, Byron Buxton started as the Twins' center fielder. However, after struggling at the plate, he was optioned to Rochester on April 25. He was later called up and remained at center field for the rest of the season.

2017: Defensive Awards and Sprint Speed Leader

In 2017, Byron Buxton won several defensive awards, including a Wilson Defensive Player of the Year Award, a Fielding Bible Award, a Rawlings Gold Glove Award, and the Platinum Glove Award. He also led MLB in sprint speed. On August 27, 2017, Buxton hit three home runs against the Toronto Blue Jays

2018: Struggles and Option to Triple-A

In 2018, Byron Buxton faced a challenging season marked by stints on the disabled list due to a toe injury and migraines. He was optioned to Triple-A Rochester on July 2 and the Twins opted not to promote Buxton to the major leagues during September call-ups. Despite the setbacks, he led MLB in sprint speed for the third consecutive year in 2018.

April 22, 2019: Stolen Base Streak Ends

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

2019: Ellianos Coffee Franchise

In 2019, Byron Buxton co-owns an Ellianos Coffee franchise in Baxley, Georgia, and is planning to expand with a second location. He is passionate about coffee and hands-on in the business.

September 7, 2020: Last Ground into Double Play

Byron Buxton last grounded into a double play on September 7, 2020. This is mentioned in reference to the record Buxton broke for most home runs since last grounding into a double play.

2020: Abbreviated Season and Shoulder Injury

During the abbreviated 2020 Major League Baseball season, Byron Buxton played 39 of the Minnesota Twins' 60 games. He missed some time due to a shoulder injury sustained in late August, but still achieved a career-high .577 slugging percentage.

2020: Birth of Second Son

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

April 2021: AL Player of the Month

In April 2021, Byron Buxton was named the American League Player of the Month, recognizing his outstanding performance with a .426 batting average, 8 home runs, and 14 RBIs.

December 1, 2021: Contract Extension with the Twins

On December 1, 2021, Byron Buxton signed a seven-year, $100 million contract extension with the Minnesota Twins, securing his future with the team.

June 9, 2022: Consecutive Home Runs vs. Yankees

On June 9, 2022, Byron Buxton, along with Luis Arráez and Carlos Correa, hit consecutive home runs off Gerrit Cole in the first inning against the New York Yankees. Buxton also hit a three-run home run in the second inning.

June 2022: Home Run Record

In June 2022, Byron Buxton hit his 44th home run since he had last grounded into a double play on September 7, 2020, surpassing Matt Carpenter's record of 43.

July 5, 2022: Involved in Historic Triple Play

On July 5, 2022, Byron Buxton started the first 8–5 triple play in major league history. This happened when he caught a fly ball, and then threw to third base for a double play.

2023: Primary Designated Hitter

During the 2023 spring training, Byron Buxton was moved to the role of the Twins' primary designated hitter to help keep him in the lineup for the full season. In 2023, he did not play in the field.

2023: Birth of Third Son

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

2024: Return to Center Field

In 2024, Byron Buxton was moved back to center field for the Minnesota Twins, recording a .279/.335/.524 slash line in 105 games.

May 1, 2025: 100th Career Stolen Base

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