The Minnesota Twins have struggled as a team at the beginning of the 2021 Major League Baseball season, but one player who has not struggled at all is Byron Buxton. On Monday, Buxton was named the American League Player of the Month.

This is the first time he has won the award and he's the first Minnesota Twin to receive the honor since Delmon Young won in July 2010.

According to MLB.com, Buxton "batted .426/.466/.897 with eight homers, three steals, 14 RBIs and 15 runs scored in 18 games in April. The 27-year-old set Twins franchise records for March and April in batting average, slugging percentage and OPS (1.363)."

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Expectations have been high for Byron Buxton ever since the Twins made him the second overall pick of the 2012 Draft. Since then he has shown game-changing speed while making highlight reel catches in centerfield. Unfortunately, his aggressive play in the field has also lead to injuries and his bat had yet to match his defensive prowess.

However, it appears Buxton has put it all together this year and has become the player the Twins and their fans have always believed he could be. While nobody expects him to continue the amazing stat line he's put together to start the season, it's fantastic to see him become a real leader for the team.

While the Twins have started the year slow, falling as many as 7 games below .500 in April, they have plenty of time to put it all together in what is a very long season.  A great team goal would be winning every series right up until the All Star Game. The way Byron Buxton is playing, it's certainly achievable.

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