The first wave of MLB All-Star voting results dropped this week, and one thing is immediately clear: Byron Buxton is being overlooked. Again.

Buxton landed 13th among American League outfielders with 219,808 votes, trailing players like Jarren Duran, George Springer, and Daulton Varsho, none of whom are having a season remotely close to Buxton’s. Let’s run the numbers.

Among AL outfielders, entering the weekend:

Buxton ranks 2nd in fWAR (2.9), behind only Aaron Judge

2nd in wRC+ (148), again trailing only Judge

3rd in home runs (15)

And he’s doing all that while playing Gold-Glove caliber center field. He’s crashing into walls, robbing home runs, and making catches that defy logic.

Buxton is finally healthy, finally playing center field again, and doing it all at an elite level. For years, the only thing holding him back was availability. This season, aside from a brief IL stint with a concussion, he’s been in the lineup almost every day. He’s not just living up to expectations. He’s surpassing them.

Will Byron Buxton play 100 or more games in 2025?

It’s not about team success. The Twins are hovering around .500, just like the Mariners, Angels, Guardians, and Red Sox. Those teams all have players ahead of Buxton in the voting.

The reality is more frustrating.

Major League Baseball has long failed to market its stars, especially those outside of big markets. Byron Buxton is the exact kind of player baseball should be promoting: fast, powerful, highlight-reel ready. But he plays in Minnesota. And that means national exposure is minimal.

But the national vote isn’t the only issue.

Twins fans also need to look in the mirror. Yes, it’s hard to stay engaged. The frustration with ownership, declining Target Field attendance, and front office decisions is real and valid. But the disinterest that’s grown out of those frustrations is showing up in moments like this. And it’s a shame.

Because Byron Buxton has given everything to this franchise. He’s battled injuries year after year, stayed positive, signed a long-term extension to remain in Minnesota, and stuck it out through tough seasons and nasty things said about him online constantly. Now he’s finally healthy, finally playing happy, and he’s playing better than ever.

Twins fans should be celebrating this. Voting Buxton into the All-Star Game isn’t about rewarding ownership. It’s about recognizing and honoring one of the most exciting, loyal, and elite players this franchise has ever had.

We’ve seen fan bases step up before. Remember when Royals fans packed the All-Star ballot in 2016, getting players like Omar Infante into the game? It can be done. So let’s do it.

Go to MLB.com/vote and vote Byron Buxton into the All-Star Game. Vote today. Vote tomorrow. Vote every day. Don’t let another season go by where Byron Buxton doesn’t get the national recognition he’s earned. Let’s make sure baseball’s most electrifying center fielder is in Atlanta this July where he belongs.