Class: HS Senior
Hometown: Baxley, Georgia
Height/Weight: 6-1/175
Born: December 18, 1993
Buxton exploded onto the draft scene this spring, taking top honors in Baseball America’s debut edition of the high school top 25. Since then, he’s put together a truly dominating senior season, both on the mound, where he has been Appling County’s ace, and at the plate, where he’s garnered enough attention to be in the running for the top overall spot in this year’s draft.
As of April 26, Buxton was hitting .566 with 14 doubles, 46 runs and 28 steals. On the mound, he was 6-0 with a 1.97 ERA and 78 strikeouts in 39 innings. Hard to make more of an impact than that.
His tool set has experts likening him to the Upton brothers. More specifically, they see him having Justin’s impact bat, and B.J.’s blinding speed. He has also drawn some favorable comps to last year’s top position player from the high school ranks, Bubba Starling
Buxton’s bat is incredible, lightning quick even. He has the chance for slightly above-average power and at worst he should be a solid contact hitter with great baserunning ability. At best, he should be a true impact player with five tools.
His arm is solid gold, capable of reaching 94 mph off the mound, as he has done several times this spring.
He currently has a commitment to UGA, but considering there’s no way he falls out of the top four picks, much less the first-round, there’s very little chance he makes it to Athens.
I have not seen this kid face any of the top pitchers. Did not see him at any show cases. Hitting 500 against sub par pitching doesn’t tell me much. Could be great, could be average. What’s your take?
With high school prospects, it’s more about tools than production, and Buxton has tools out of his you-know-what. He is a phenomenal athlete who should hit for average and power. He has decent speed and incredible arm strength.
Also take into account the fact that as one of the top players available in the draft, and one of the most dangerous high school hitters around, Buxton isn’t getting much to hit. Lots of breaking balls in the dirt and fastballs away. Kudos to him for not chasing them, and going after the few good pitches he does get.
He’s been compared to Bubba Starling, K.C.’s first-rounder last year, AND Eric Davis.
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