Twins GM: Buxton, Sano could debut in '15

The 2014 season certainly wasn't what Twins fans hoped it would be for top prospects Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. As the 2015 season approaches, expectations are soaring for both.

Now healthy after injury-riddled campaigns, Buxton and Sano both could reach the big leagues this year, Twins general manager Terry Ryan said on Friday.

"That would be a realistic point of view from my vantage point," Ryan told MLB.com. "They're both very talented, and if they have the type of years that you would hope with their type of skill set, there's no reason not to say, 'Oh, they have a chance this year.' So yeah, they do."

The prized duo likely will open the season with the Twins' new Double-A affiliate in Chattanooga.

Buxton, MLB.com's top overall prospect, was limited to 31 games between Class A Advanced Fort Myers and Double-A New Britain last season due to a variety of injuries, including a sprained left wrist and a concussion suffered in a vicious collision in his Double-A debut. The second overall pick in the 2012 Draft posted a .234/.307/.395 slash line in abbreviated action and played 13 games in the Arizona Fall League before a broken finger cut short that campaign.

After undergoing surgery in October to repair the finger, Buxton was cleared to take part in full workouts two weeks ago. The 21-year-old outfielder anticipates being at full strength when position players report to Spring Training on Feb. 27.

"That's a big goal of mine," Buxton told MLB.com of the possibility of a 2015 big league debut. "Just know I've got to work hard and try to do what I need to do to make myself get up there."

Sano, MLB.com's No. 7 overall prospect, missed all of last season after a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow necessitated Tommy John surgery on March 12. The 21-year-old third baseman did not play winter ball in his native Dominican Republic but has been throwing without issue on a daily basis. A lifetime .279/.373/.567 hitter with 90 homers in four Minor League seasons, Sano started swinging a bat in August and said that his elbow feels fine.

"My goal this year is to be in the middle of the lineup," he added. "But right now, I need to be healthy."