Billy Butler (baseball)
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Billy Butler (born 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 right field for the Double-A Wichita Wranglers. A third baseman in high school, Butler played right field and left field for Wichita in 2006. He was also selected to play for the United States squad in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game, where he hit the go ahead home run and was selected game MVP.[2][3]
[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
- 2006 Futures Game MVP
[edit] References
- ^ Kimmey, Will (November 19, 2004). Top 10 Prospects: Kansas City Royals. Baseball America. Retrieved on October 21, 2006.
- ^ Futures Game History: All-Time Roster (1999-2006). MLB.com. Retrieved on October 21, 2006.
- ^ Butler Selected MVP of 2006 Futures Game. MLB.com. Retrieved on March 9, 2007.
