MINNEAPOLIS -- When Byron Buxton was called up by the Twins on Sept. 1 after finishing his second stint of the 2016 season at Triple-A Rochester, he received a call from his former teammate and mentor Torii Hunter.
Hunter, a five-time All-Star, could relate to Buxton's early struggles, as he went through the same thing early in his career before finally establishing himself. He told Buxton the key to his success sounded simple, but it was simply clearing his head and not thinking so much about mechanics or the pressures of being a top prospect.
"That was big, especially after me getting sent down twice and the way the season was going," Buxton said.