Twins sign first-round pick Byron Buxton

Published Jun. 13, 2012 11:37 a.m. ET

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MINNEAPOLIS — One day after taking batting practice at Target Field, outfielder Byron Buxton signed with the Minnesota Twins, the team announced Wednesday.

Buxton, 18, was the Twins' first-round pick (No. 2 overall) in the 2012 MLB Draft. He was Minnesota's highest draft pick since the team took catcher Joe Mauer No. 1 overall in 2001. Buxton, a five-tool outfielder, played at Appling County High School in Baxley, Ga.

The 6-foot-2, 185-pound Buxton batted .513 with three homers, 17 doubles and 35 RBI during his senior year at Appling County. He also was one of his team's best pitchers, going 10-1 with 154 strikeouts in 81 innings.

Buxton will report to the Gulf Coast League Twins in Fort Myers, Fla.

"I'm very excited," Buxton said Tuesday at Target Field. "I'm ready to start playing."

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