Comments on: 40 Man Roster Review – Billy Butler

By: Terry Payne

Terry Payne — Fri, 24 Feb 2012 01:11:39 +0000

That fat lump can hit doubles and drive in 90 runs and hit .300 for me any day he wants.

By: Chris Koester

Chris Koester — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 10:24:41 +0000

2010 Northwest Arkansas .335/.410/.625 OPS 1.035, 29 HR, 98 RBI
2011 Omaha .326/.399/.533 OPS .932, 23 HR, 100 RBI

Yeah, I’m sure the scouts see all kinds of holes in the game that brought these stats in back-to-back seasons. (Why do I suddenly flash to the scenes in “Moneyball” with the crusty old scouts sitting around a table evaluating players?)

Oh, in case you think he shouldn’t get the same credit because he’s SOOO OLLLDD (meaning one year younger than Alex Gordon), here are his stats for his very first year in pro ball, at 22 years old:

.336/.388/.593 OPS .981 (Also 15 HR’s and 66 RBI’s in only 253 at-bats).

Hmmm. Maybe he just has an ugly girlfriend.

By: Chris Koester

Chris Koester — Sun, 22 Jan 2012 04:05:56 +0000

2010 Northwest Arkansas .335/.410/.625 OPS 1.035, 29 HR, 98 RBI
2011 Omaha .326/.399/.533 OPS .932, 23 HR, 100 RBI

Yeah, I’m sure the scouts see all kinds of holes in the game that brought these stats in back-to-back seasons. And I’m sure when they speak, they sound very much like the crusty old scouts sitting around the table in “Moneyball”.

Oh, in case you think he shouldn’t get the same credit because he’s SOOO OLLLDD (meaning one year younger than Alex Gordon), here are his stats for his very first year in pro ball, 22 years old:

.336/.388/.593 OPS .981 (Also 15 HR’s and 66 RBI’s in only 253 at-bats).

Hmmm. Maybe he just has an ugly girlfriend.

By: jim fetterolf

jim fetterolf — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 04:35:11 +0000

When Billy was moved to 3, he delivered HRs and RBIs. At 5 he was pitched around to get to Treanor or Getz. Billy finally has some protection in the line-up and last season’s second half suggests what we’ll see this year. I expect him to hit 4th and come in over 20 HR and 100 RBI.

By: timmyc

timmyc — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 01:58:51 +0000

Billy Butler is a #5 or #6 hitter. He hits for average, he hits doubles and his SO-BB is not too bad! However, for all the things he does right hitting, he is not clutch nor does he drive in the runs like he should. I would settle for 18 HR’s, 40 2B’s if he would start really producing runs. He has left so many runners on base, in scoring position or not gotten a clutch hit way too many times. Yes he has driven in 90 runs twice, but i did a matrix of the runners he inherited and those left on base before the 2011 season and he should of had at least 100-120 RBI’s each of the last four seasons. He hits for average, is a good hitter but no a run producer and that is what he needs to be to make him untradable at this point. If he has another year of hitting near .300 and not producing more than 100 runs, especially since he is batting 3/4/5 and not producing then he is totally tradable and they could get a front line pitcher. Bottom line we don’t own the Royals and it is all wishful but fun to think about. I hope Butler proves me wrong and starts producing runs and getting clutch hits, that would make him a real hero and integral parts of this team for the rest of his career. I WANT TO SEE THE RBI’S & CLUTCH HITS from Billy Butler!

By: Zack Daddy

Zack Daddy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:36:05 +0000

A better metaphor would be that he belongs on the track, not in the stable…as if it matters.

By: Zack Daddy

Zack Daddy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:35:19 +0000

Clark…great points. So easy to take BB for granted. He’s a valuable asset on this team. Also, he is not fat. He is just not athletic. He’s a one trick stallion. He belongs in the stable.

By: KCattheBat

KCattheBat — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 15:23:58 +0000

Consistency seems like a very valuable asset for the Royals, given the current makeup of the roster. I’m an optimist and hoping for the best, but every player (outside of Butler) who is being counted on for significant production in the lineup has a maximum of one full season where they met that expected level of production – most have much less than that, if they’ve even met expectations so far, and we are simply left to rely on projection at this point. Furthermore, the value of Butler’s consistency to the Royals would seem to diminish in a year or two, when you can safely say that you have proven production from other areas of the lineup. And his trade value would only go up if his power increases down the road.

By: Clark Fosler

Clark Fosler — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:55:16 +0000

I did not get into this in the article, but if you are asking me, I would not trade Billy Butler because:
a) He would be harder to replace than people think.
b) You won’t get an ace for him. On a one for one deal, the best you might get is a number three type starter – which, admittedly, might be the best starter in the Royals’ rotation, but might not be a guy you trade Butler for.

By: Zack Daddy

Zack Daddy — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:33:48 +0000

CRob is not getting the Kila treatmient. Right now, there just isn’t space with Hosmer and Butler. Who was Clint Robinson 1 1/2 years ago?