Each week sports reporters Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel will face off on a hot topic in Minnesota sports. The world of sports is changing quickly and constantly, but we want to slow it down and take a better look at the juiciest gossip, scandal, rumor or issue that is making headlines this week in Minnesota. Lambert and Thiel will take different sides and battle it out, telling you why they are right.

This week’s topic: Who will break out this season for the Twins?

Last week, Spring Training began for Major League Baseball, with multiple players reporting to. This week, Matthew Lambert and Sam Thiel voice their opinions about which player will have a breakout season for Minnesota. Let’s talk about it…     (Recap by Sam Thiel)

Matthew Lambert / Winonan

With spring training around the corner, the Minnesota Twins are looking to build off a surprise season.

One player who was crucial in that success was starting pitcher Kyle Gibson. Gibson had many career-bests last season, including ERA, innings pitched and strikeouts.

While many people will look at Ervin Santana, Phil Hughes and Glen Perkins as the most important pitchers on the team, I give my vote to Gibson, who will build off last year’s success to become a national star.

For the Twins, Gibson was the best pitcher, clearly. When looking at his statistics, those previous career bests I mentioned, he was the leader in all of those areas and tied for the most wins (11) with Hughes.

While many would say that Santana and Hughes are the primary focus, let’s be realistic. Hughes has struggled with injuries and Santana missed half the season because of PEDs, which begs the question: What’s going to happen to Santana’s body now that he’s off of them?

Gibson is in his third year in the big leagues and is prepared to take that next step. Even better for Gibson, now for the Twins, the spotlight is on them. People have real expectations.

It’s time people got to know future All-star Kyle Gibson.

Sam Thiel / Winonan

Spring might be 18 days away, but for Major League Baseball players it has already begun. Spring training is officially underway for the MLB and after multiple seasons filled with futility, the Minnesota Twins are looking to improve on their 83-win campaign last season.

Looking at the roster, the Twins have many choices for breakout players this season. One name stands out in particular: outfielder Byron Buxton.

Buxton will have a breakout season because he is still very young. The right-handed batter is just 22 years old and has shown plenty of potential in the minor league system.

Buxton has the skill to have a breakout season as well. Last season, he hit .209 with six RBIs and a pair of home runs and stolen bases in 46 games. In the minor leagues, he had 45 RBIs, seven homers and 22 stolen bases in 72 games. Plus, he ran the 40-yard dash in 4.37 seconds in 2013, which would currently rank 3rd in the 40-yard dash times at the 2016 NFL Combine amongst all NFL prospects. He’s got the need for speed.

In a league where teams are led by young superstars (the Cubs with Kris Bryant for example), Buxton fits the bill for the Twins and has what it takes to not only have a breakout season but also lead Minnesota out of the AL Central cellar and into a land Minnesota sports teams seem to be afraid of touching: the playoffs.