Former Royals designated hitter-first baseman Billy Butler continued to press his case for a quick return to Kansas City, going 3-6 with a double to raise his batting average to .400 during Triple A Omaha's 13-0 trouncing of Mets affilliate New Orleans.
The 22-year-old former first round pick has renewed his relationship with former batting coach and minor league journeyman Terry Bradshaw -- who has temporarily taken over the helm at Omaha. The two picked up where they left off last year in Surprise, Ariz., with Bradshaw encouraging Butler to stay within himself, be patient, wait for pitches to turn on and most of all, believe in himself.
Butler owned a .336 career minor league batting average before winning a spot in the Royals starting lineup coming out of spring, but was demoted after going hitless in his last 10 appearances, with his average falling to .263 with just one home run and 18 RBI in 53 games.
Expect Butler to return to Kansas City as soon as the team is convinced he can overcome confidence issues to battle through the normal growing pains of a gifted yet still very young player.
Showing posts with label Billy Butler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Billy Butler. Show all posts
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Sunday, July 22, 2007
KC's Billy Butler Latest to Win Daily Playing Time
Royals rookie Billy Butler -- who went 4-5 with a homer in his most recent outing -- is the latest, fresh young outfielder to lay claim -- however tenuous -- to everyday playing time.
Butler -- who starts at designated hitter -- has won favor with a better than .300 batting average and a slugging percentage approaching .500, all with a decent eye for the strikezone.
Butler stands to hold the job at least until battered veteran Mike Sweeney returns from the disabled list, which might not be for some time.
Other outfielders recently emerging with potential, permanent, full-time playing status in their sights include the Athletics Travis Buck, the Indians Franklin Gutierrez, the Rockies Ryan Spilborghs and the Pirates Ryan Doumit.
Keep an eye out for Shelley Duncan of the Yankees.
Butler -- who starts at designated hitter -- has won favor with a better than .300 batting average and a slugging percentage approaching .500, all with a decent eye for the strikezone.
Butler stands to hold the job at least until battered veteran Mike Sweeney returns from the disabled list, which might not be for some time.
Other outfielders recently emerging with potential, permanent, full-time playing status in their sights include the Athletics Travis Buck, the Indians Franklin Gutierrez, the Rockies Ryan Spilborghs and the Pirates Ryan Doumit.
Keep an eye out for Shelley Duncan of the Yankees.
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Doctor X -- the 'Baseball Medic' -- is an anonymous U.S. government trauma specialist with a Duke University sports medicine background and more than 20 years experience in emergency medicine. From time to time he considers MLB rumors, events and news reports as they pertain to baseball players' injuries, illnesses and various other disabilities, both on the field and off.
MLB Rumors editor Greg Fieg is a former sports news editor and award-winning writer whose bylines have appeared on the wires of the Associated Press and in numerous publications, including San Antonio Express-News, San Antonio Light, Houston Chronicle and Philadelphia Bulletin. He formerly was posted in various positions on the U.S.-Mexican border with Freedom Newspapers, and was a regular, independent contributor to United Press International.