There is going to be a new kind of “Billy Ball” in Kansas City soon, as Royals prospect Billy Butler ramps up his run on the Royals.
Butler brought up his stock exponentially and snatched MVP honors at the 2006 All-Star Futures’ Game.
“It was awesome,” Butler said after a 2-for-3 performance, with a homerun that propelled the USA Team to an 8-5 victory and thrust him into the national spotlight.
“It meant a lot to me to be the MVP of that game. The way I see it, every one of those players are going to be on the big league level, so it really reassured me that I could play at that level.”
Butler, who was the 14th overall pick in the 2004 Amateur draft, was originally labeled as a bargain pick for the financially-strapped Royals, who inked him to what is still a hefty $1.45 million dollar signing bonus.
The 20-year-old, 6’1” 225-pound stocky frame that Butler possesses has enabled him to put up explosive power numbers in his three-year minor league career.
In his first season with the Idaho Falls Chukars in the Rookie class Pioneer League, Butler ran roughshod through the Pioneer League pitching by batting .373, with 10 home runs, 22 doubles, and 68 RBIs in only 260 at-bats.
In 2005, Butler, who was the youngest player in the California League at 19, continued to be an offensive juggernaut and hit .348, with 30 doubles, 25 homeruns, and 91 RBIs.
Although his numbers are probably a bit inflated by hitter friendly Texas League ballparks, Butler is batting .320, with 29 doubles, 12 homeruns, and 78 RBIs.
In addition to his Godzilla-like batting averages and his MVP All-Star Future’s performance, Butler has received a lot of recognition by winning the 2004 and 2005 Royals minor league Player of the Year award, California League Rookie of the Year award, and the California/Carolina League MVP.
The season has been less about tweaking and more about playing day-to-day at a level.
“I really haven’t made too many adjustments this season,” Butler said. “Offensively, it’s all about getting comfortable out there and not trying to do too much. You have to pay attention to the location of the pitch, wherever it’s located, and just go with it.”
It’s never been a question that Butler has a major league bat. Butler, by his own admission, needs to continue to work with his glove, but even that isn’t deficient enough to keep him out of the Major Leagues with the Royals.
“I am…working on my defense because, in a really tight baseball game, defense can mean the difference between a win and a loss” Butler said.
“It’s important to become an all-around player. I am really working on my range in the outfield. In the outfield, you have to put an emphasis on not just one thing, but everything.”
Butler is a Sally Fields of Dreams player in that sources tell us that the Royals really, really like him. Joey Gathright, David DeJesus, and Shane Costa make up the younger corps of the Favored Sons of the Deep Grass in KC, but combined his great numbers and award-winning ways, and it soon may be time for Billy to make that club. He debuts on the MLN FAB50 Baseball 2006 rankings at 17.
- Jason BLASCO
