Who is the AL Central’s Best Athlete?
Tim Anderson of the Chicago White Sox was actually my inspiration for this whole idea (who is the best athlete in MLB) with this quote from Spring Training 21’ in regard to the Division Rival Minnesota Twins-
“We’re way more athletic than them, and that’s just true facts. But at the end of the day, we know we have to go out and prove it. … We’re going to go head to head and see what happens. But I think we’ve got a good shot of whoopin’ on ‘em.”
Tim Anderson did not start playing baseball until his junior year in high school and pro scouts doubted he could stay at short stop. Anderson has been more than up to the task as he has been an outstanding defensive shortstop, he’s earned a Silver Slugger, batting title, named an All Star and had a 20 home run 20 stolen base season. An explosive athlete, Anderson was an outstanding high school basketball player (led his team to a state championship in Alabama).
Whit Merrifield multi-position stud for the Kansas City Royals. Whit is one of the most versatile players in MLB (he’s played every position except catcher and has never pitched). Merrifield is also one of the best base-runners in the sport (led the AL in stolen bases in 17, 18, 21 and tied for MLB lead in triples in 2019). Whit played 3 sports in high school and comes from a very athletic family. Whit’s dad played college baseball and was the ACC player of the year, his mom played tennis at Wake Forest and his younger brother currently plays baseball at Wake Forest.
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Byron Buxton, center fielder for the Twins, was a three sport athlete in high school (football, basketball, baseball),and an outstanding pitcher in high school (senior year 154 strikeouts in 81 innings with a 99 mph fastball).
By the numbers-
Buxton was one of only four players in 2021 who were in the 95th percentile or better in both hard-hit rate and Sprint Speed; the other two are Mike Trout, Fernando Tatis Jr. and Ronald Acuna.
During the Statcast era (2015-today) Buxton’s the second fastest player (Tim Locastro is #1) in the sport at 30.6 feet per second.
He was the epitome of a 5-Tool prospect but his hit tool is not above average to this point. As a Major Leaguer he has displayed 4 elite tools (power, defense, speed, arm). Since his fist full season in 2016 Buxton has missed large chunks of every season due to injury except for the 2017 season. Bottom line, when Buxton plays he’s the most dynamic athlete in the sport but his lack of durability has to count against him to a degree.
I’m going to call this Division race for Buxton with apologies to the other contenders. It’s not a fair fight. This man is an incredible athlete in any domain!
