Byron Buxton is regarded as one of the most talented players in MLB when he’s healthy, which unfortunately has been a serious issue for him.
He was plenty healthy Thursday, and as a result, two baseballs suffered greatly.
The Minnesota Twins slugger teed off on Boston Red Sox opener Justin Garza in the first inning, hitting a 466-foot homer to deep left in Target Field.
BYRON BUXTON 466 FEET pic.twitter.com/ByQi9zUUpp
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) June 22, 2023
In his very next at-bat, Buxton hit a shot that traveled almost exactly as far, a 465-foot blast off Red Sox reliever Brandon Walter.
Make that 931 feet worth of homers for Byron Buxton. 😮 pic.twitter.com/xM8czc4c2a
— MLB (@MLB) June 22, 2023
According to ESPN Stats & Info, Buxton becomes the first player to hit two 460-foot home runs in the same game since Boston’s Mike Napoli did it in 2013.
Byron Buxton is the first player to hit multiple 460-foot home runs in a single game since Mike Napoli last did it on May 1, 2013. pic.twitter.com/xl6T1oYZ0Y
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) June 22, 2023
Buxton seemed unimpressed with the feat after the Twins’ 6-0 win.
“They all count the same, so if they go over, they all feel good,” Buxton said (via MLB.com). “It doesn’t matter as long as we win.”
But fans were impressed. They generally agreed that, when healthy, Buxton is a beast.
Byron Buxton's 460+ foot home runs — 3D trajectories overlaid
112.2 mph / 466 feet to LF
111.9 mph / 465 feet to CFFirst player in the Statcast era to hit multiple 460-foot homers in a game pic.twitter.com/8iaVRony6S
— David Adler (@_dadler) June 22, 2023
Okay, it looks like Byron Buxton has seriously flipped the switch.
Another absolute tank to the upper deck in left-center field.
He has hit homers of 466 and 465 feet today in consecutive at-bats. Crazy. pic.twitter.com/wRDHlMaCez
— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) June 22, 2023
One of the best swings in the league
— Nicky C (@nickyryanc) June 22, 2023
Incoming Quad strain.
— KELHOW (@Kelhow77) June 22, 2023
D rose of baseball
— Marcus🪓(48-26) (@AcunaMoonshot) June 22, 2023
This is why you ride the lows with Buxton. When he gets hot, he’s one of the best. Hopefully he can keep it rolling.
— Erick Amberg (@ErickAmberg) June 22, 2023
Buxton has been in a slump, slashing just .215/.315/.459 with 13 home runs this season, but back-to-back shots like he hit Thursday could be a sign he’s back in sync.
