Appling County Pirate Byron Buxton signed a contract with the Minnesota Twins on Wednesday, June 13 during a trip to Minnesota where Buxton was able to take batting practice with the team. Buxton was taken number two overall in this year’s Major League Baseball draft by the Twins. The contract includes a $6 million signing bonus, which is the biggest contract in this year’s draft class. Buxton will be reporting to the Gulf Coast League Twins minor league team in Fort Myers, Florida, where he will be playing outfield.
During Buxton’s visit to Minnesota, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said this about the Twins top draft pick. “I was worried he was going to either embarrass the heck out of our hitters or get a little bit too amped up, but he handled himself fantastic. Went about his business and swung the bat and got the barrel on it and did fine. He did his thing. Looks like he had some fun.”
Twins manager Terry Ryan said, “I thought he (Buxton) did quite well out there for a young guy that came up here, 18 years old, and hasn’t been around the caliber of player that these guys are.”
City of Graham Honors Buxton
During a ceremony held on Saturday, June 16, in Graham, members of the Graham City Council gave Byron Buxton (Buxton and his family live in Graham) a plaque congratulating Buxton on being selected number two overall in the MLB draft. Many of Buxton’s family and friends along with other members of the community attended the ceremony.