Billy Butler (baseball)
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Billy Butler (b. April 18, 1986 in Orange Park, Florida) is a minor league baseball player in the Kansas City Royals farm system. Butler hits and throws right-handed.
Butler was selected by the Royals in the first round (14th overall) of the 2004 First-Year Player Draft out of high school and signed for a $1.45 million bonus, $250,000 below the recommended slot value for that pick. He attended Wolfson High School in Jacksonville, Florida, and turned down a scholarship to play for the University of Florida to go pro.[1]
In 2006 Butler led the Texas League with a .331 batting average. Despite taking time out to play for Team USA Butler ammased 96 RBI's while playing rightfield for the Double-A Wichita Wranglers. A third baseman in high school, Butler played rightfield and leftfield for Wichita in 2006. He was also selected to play for the United States squad in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game.[2]
[edit] Awards
Baseball Awards
- 2004 Kansas City Royals Minor League Player of the Year
- 2004 Pioneer League All-Star 3B
- 2004 Rookie League All-Star 3B
- 2005 California League Rookie of the Year
- 2005 High A All-Star DH
- 2005 Baseball America 1st team Minor League All-Star DH
- 2005 Kansas City Royals Minor League Player of the Year
- 2005 California League All-Star DH
- 2005 California/Carolina League All-Star Game MVP
[edit] References
- ^ Kimmey, Will (November 19, 2004). Top 10 Prospects: Kansas City Royals. Baseball America. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Futures Game History: All-Time Roster (1999-2006). MLB.com. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
