CF, Appling (Ga.) HS • 6-2, 175 pounds

Born: Dec. 18, 1993 (age 18)

Stats (regular season): .545 AVG/.649 OBP/.852 SLG

Scouting report: He has drawn comparisons to B.J. Upton, Matt Kemp, even Willie Mays, based solely on his tools. Buxton is lightning fast with 35 steals in 36 attempts, and as a pitcher his fastball has been clocked at 97 mph. He has quick hands and a smooth righthanded swing, but breaking pitches could be a challenge. He flashed some power in a home run derby last summer at Wrigley Field but managed only two regular-season home runs this spring.

Twins should take him because: He has the most upside of any player in the draft. None of the college starting pitchers the Twins are considering is a surefire ace, so they could regret taking an eventual No. 2 or No. 3 starter if Buxton blossoms into a perennial All-Star.

Twins should pass because: They are desperate for pitching and should produce some outfield depth after spending recent high-round picks on Joe Benson, Ben Revere, Aaron Hicks, Angel Morales and Eddie Rosario. The outfield is so crowded in the low minors that the Twins have Rosario, a converted center fielder, playing second base for Class A Beloit.