MLB Draft 2012: Why the Minnesota Twins Must Select Byron Buxton

The Minnesota Twins will reach an important step in their rebuilding process when they select second in the 2012 MLB draft on June 4. This will be a chance for general manager Terry Ryan to re-stock the farm system and try to get the team back on the path to respectability.

While the Twins would benefit from a pitching-heavy draft due to the lack of quality arms in the organization, the second overall pick presents a different challenge for Ryan and the Twins.

The second pick of the draft needs to be a game changer. The player selected must be a multiple-time All-Star and somebody who can carry the team over the next decade. For the Twins, there is no room for error here. That's why (if the Houston Astros don't take him) the Twins must select Byron Buxton.

Buxton, a high school outfielder from Georgia, has been regarded by many as the top prospect in the draft. However, the Astros are likely looking at taking a college arm (such as Stanford's Mark Appel) that could quickly get to the big leagues.

That could let the kid known as "Buck" fall to the Twins and become the steal of the draft.

There's no doubt that selecting several pitchers is something that the Twins need to do during this draft, but they also need to get some blue chip prospects back into their organization. Buxton would do just that for the Twins even if he takes four years to get to the major leagues.

If that's the case, it could be well worth the wait as the Twins currently have super-prospects Miguel Sano (.245 with 13 home runs and 40 runs batted in) and Eddie Rosario (.284 with five home runs and 33 runs batted in) raking at Low-A Beloit.

Adding Buxton, who Jim Callis of Baseball America called the best player available in the draft, could produce a lethal middle of the lineup for the Twins down the road and get them back on the road to competitiveness.

Yes, pitching wins championships, but the Twins need to take the guy with the most potential at No. 2. If there was a surefire "Ace" pitcher in the draft, I may be singing a different tune, but Byron Buxton may be the best chance for the Twins to land a surefire superstar in the 2012 MLB draft.