June 4, 2012: Coming off a 99-loss 2011 season, the Twins have the No. 2 pick in baseball's draft and select Byron Buxton, an 18-year-old outfielder at Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga. As a senior, the righthanded-hitting Buxton hit .513 with three home runs, 17 doubles, 35 RBI and 38 stolen bases in 39 attempts. The following week, the Twins sign Buxton to a $6 million bonus, the highest for any pick in the 2012 draft.
June 22, 2012: Buxton makes his pro debut for the Twins' Gulf Coast League affiliate in Fort Myers, Fla.
July 7, 2012: Buxton hits his first home run and steals his first base as a pro in the same game.
Aug. 6, 2012: Despite hitting only .216 in 27 games with the GCL Twins, Buxton is promoted to rookie league Elizabethton.
Aug. 28, 2012: Buxton hits .286 in 21 games with Elizabethton, finishing his first season with a .248 average, five homers, 20 RBI and 11 stolen bases in 48 games.
March 27, 2013: Buxton, ranked the No. 10 prospect in the minor leagues by Baseball America, plays all nine innings for the Twins in a 7-4 spring training victory over Pittsburgh. He opens the season at Cedar Rapids, the Twins' new Class A affiliate.
June 24, 2013: After tearing up the Midwest League to the tune of a .344 average, eight home runs, 10 triples, 68 runs and 32 stolen bases in 68 games, Buxton is promoted to Class A Fort Myers in the Florida State League.
Sept. 11, 2013: Buxton is named Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year after a 2013 season where he combined to hit .334 with 12 homers, 18 triples and 55 stolen bases between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, helping both teams reach the postseason.