Top prospect Buxton gaining experience in spring camp

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Byron Buxton is universally regarded as the top prospect in all of baseball.

This offseason, the five-tool outfielder was named the No. 1 prospect by publications such as MLB.com, Baseball America, ESPN, Baseball Prospectus and Fangraphs.com.

It came after Buxton, 20, excelled in his first full year in the Minors, hitting a combined .334/.424/.520 with 12 homers, 18 triples, 19 doubles, 55 stolen bases, 77 RBIs and 109 runs in 125 games with Class A Cedar Rapids and Class A Advanced Fort Myers. He followed that up by hitting .212/.288/.404 with three homers, a double and two stolen bases in 12 games against older competition in the Arizona Fall League.

The Baxley, Ga., native, who is in big league camp for this first time this Spring Training, took time to have a conversation with MLB.com about this spring and his future with the organization.

MLB.com: This is your first time in Twins camp. How's it been so far?

Buxton: It's been great. I've just been coming out here every day with the big leaguers, and I'm just trying to get more experience and learn a little bit more about the game.

MLB.com: What's been your favorite part so far of Spring Training?

Buxton: Just being able to come out here every day and meet a great group of guys with great team chemistry. To learn and to experience what it's going to be like someday.

MLB.com: I know a lot of guys like live batting practice, so what's it like being able to face some of your teammates and some of these big leaguers?

Buxton: I haven't been swinging much lately. I've just been tracking, trying to get my eyes used to the movement and other stuff. So I haven't really swung a lot.

MLB.com: What did you do this offseason to get ready for the season?

Buxton: Mostly, I just lifted weights in Atlanta. As far as running-wise, I ran every morning about 6 [a.m.]. So I stayed in shape pretty good this offseason.

MLB.com: You had a big year last year. Is it something where you look back on it much? Or do you look forward more?

Buxton: I look forward more. It helps keep me motivated to do better than I did last year and to help our team win.

MLB.com: You were the No. 1 prospect in just about every publication. How do you stay humble with all these accolades?

Buxton: I don't know. My mom and dad just taught me this. I'm just home grown with it, so I'm going to stick with it.

MLB.com: How much has your family, and I know your dad helps you work out during the offseason, help out with all of this?

Buxton: It helps out a lot. I know that they have my back and that they have my support. So it's always good to know. It's just one big family.

MLB.com: Last year saw you end the season in the Arizona Fall League. What was that like?

Buxton: It was fun. I got a lot of great competition. I went into the offseason knowing what I need to improve on, and so I've tried to get better in those areas.

MLB.com: What are some of those areas you'd like to improve on?

Buxton: Basically, every aspect. I went in [working on] fielding and hitting the ball opposite field gap-to-gap. Baserunning, everything.

MLB.com: What kind of impressions do you want to make on the coaching staff once these games start?

Buxton: Just come out here and play hard and hit the ball hard somewhere and just try to help the team win.

MLB.com: Do you have a timeline in your head when you'd like be in the Majors?

Buxton: I'm sure everybody's timeline here is to break with the [team at the end of] camp, but you just have to work hard wherever we go and try to help our teams win and see what happens.

MLB.com: When you do get to the big leagues, what should Twins fans expect to see from you? What kind of player are you?

Buxton: Hopefully, I'm bringing more excitement and more joy and more wins to the Twins.

MLB.com: You're the biggest prospect in this farm system, but there are a lot of others such as Miguel Sano and other big prospects. Do you think there could be some good years ahead for the Twins?

Buxton: Most definitely. We have a great farm system as you said. We have a great group of guys in our farm system. So hopefully we can all meet together and win a World Series ring.