Byron Buxton feels so good that he plans to steal 30 bases in 2024

"That means I'm on a lot and running a lot. I feel good. I feel real good."

Byron Buxton is boldly claiming he will do something he's rarely done throughout his Twins career.

The 30-year-old told assembled media Monday that he will compete with Willi Castro for the team lead in stolen bases, saying that both of them will have about 30 this season.

"That means I'm on a lot and running a lot," Buxton said. "I feel good. I feel real good."

It's an awfully bold statement from the oft-injured center fielder who certainly has the speed necessary to reach 30 stolen bases. Yet, throughout his career Buxton has finished a season with double-digit stolen bases just three times, last doing so in 2019 when he had 14 steals.

A mixture of injuries and trouble just getting on base has stolen a lot of Buxton's base-stealing potential. But unlike last season, Buxton is expected to play center field in 2024 after appearing only as a designated hitter in 2023.

Byron Buxton says gleefully that he’s already talking with Willi Castro about how many bases they can each steal this season.

He says he’s got 30 steals in him.

“That means I’m on a lot and running a lot. I feel good. I feel real good.” pic.twitter.com/7NElo5OvTZ

— Do-Hyoung Park (@dohyoungpark) February 19, 2024

Buxton played through pain in 2023 before his season was cut short in early August by a hamstring injury. During a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul in early September Buxton aggravated a knee injury that required surgery to repair. 

Castro led the Twins with 33 stolen bases in 2023 and was the first Twin to surpass 20 steals since Buxton had 29 in 2017.

May 24, 2023; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Byron Buxton (25) steals second base as San Francisco Giants second baseman Brett Wisely (70) fields the ball in the first inning at Target Field / © Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports