Why MLB Network believes Twins’ Byron Buxton has entered the MVP conversation

The Minnesota Twins are not having the best year, sitting in third place in the AL Central. While the Twins are struggling, Byron Buxton is not. His manager, Derek Shelton, has praised the work on Buxton in the lineup.

Now, one analyst is calling him an MVP candidate in the American League, according to MLB Network.

Robert Flores brought up how Buxton is putting himself in the conversation for MVP, and Sean Casey supported it.

“Obviously, his last nine games, he is on fire. But Bucks a guy, we’ve always felt like if he could stay healthy, he could put up big numbers,” Casey said. “He’s on pace for 50 home runs in only 136 games.”

In the last nine games, Buxton has been impossible to get out. He is 14 for 33 in that time with six home runs and nine RBIs while having a 1.533 OPS. This year, he is hitting .276 with 36 RBIs and a .941 OPS. Further, he has 23 home runs, which is third in the majors and second in the American League.

Buxton is well on pace to have his best season ever. His career high in home runs came in 2025, when he hit 35 dingers. It also came with him playing the second-most games of his career, with 126. Health has been a major issue for Buxton in his career. He has played 100 or more games just three times since breaking into the majors in 2015. He is also on pace for his second-highest OPS of his career and best WAR.

Still, the MVP base is helped by teams winning. The Twins are just 34-40 on the year, which is six games out of first place in the AL Central. They return to the diamond against the Texas Rangers for the second game of a three game set on Tuesday night.

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