Josh Butler
| IP | 4 |
|---|---|
| ERA | 9 |
| WHIP | 3.25 |
| BB/9 | 13.5 |
| SO/9 | 6.75 |
- Full name Joshua James Butler
- Born 12/11/1984 in Auburn, CA
- Profile Ht.: 6'5" / Wt.: 205 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School San Diego
- Debut 09/21/2009
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Drafted in the 2nd round (47th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2006 (signed for $725,000).
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Butler got off to a tremendous start, helping San Diego sweep Texas to start the season. But like the Toreros, Butler has slipped as the season has worn on. After taking the summer off to rest his arm, Butler showed electric stuff early in the season, when he formed a power 1-2 punch with freshman Brian Matusz atop the San Diego rotation. His fastball sat in the 91-94 mph range with good life. He finished off hitters with the fastball or one of two breaking balls: a firm 12-to-6 curveball, or a sweeping, hard slider. His mechanics proved too taxing for him to maintain his stuff over the course of the season, and his strikeout numbers steadily dropped. Butler has improved his mental approach; now he needs his body to mature. He needs to add strength and incorporate his lower half into his delivery more, putting less stress on his arm and making him more durable. He still ranks as the second-best prospect in a down year for San Diego County, behind San Diego State's Justin Masterson.
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Obtained from Tampa Bay in an April 2008 trade for Gabe Gross, Butler struggled at high Class A in his first season with his new organization. But after returning to Brevard County in 2009, he put his game back together and rose through the minors, making his major league debut in September. If he hadn't been shut down with a strained oblique in July, he probably would have gotten an earlier opportunity with the Brewers when the big league rotation was thinned by injuries. Tall with long arms, Butler gets good movement on a fastball that sits in the low 90s. His breaking ball is a cross between a curveball and a slider, but it's a solid pitch. His changeup lags behind his other two pitches. Butler throws strikes and has deception in his delivery. He figures to open 2010 in Triple-A, ready to serve the Brewers in the majors if they need help in their rotation or long relief. -
Butler reached high Class A in his first full pro season, continuing to show filthy stuff even after a sprained thumb cost him three weeks starting in mid-July. The 47th overall pick in 2006, he had his pro debut cut short by biceps tendinitis. His arm strength returned last season, and he has one of the best repertoires among Tampa Bay pitching prospects. Butler owns a 92-95 mph fastball with outstanding movement, including late sinking action. He also has an overhand curveball with tight spin and a hard, sharp slider. His changeup continues to show improvement, though he tends to abandon the pitch too readily. The Rays like Butler's competitive streak and his work ethic. He simply needs innings against better competition so he can become more consistent with his changeup and his release. Tampa Bay has worked with him to incorporate his legs more in his delivery. He'll open the season back in high Class A and should move up to Double-A at some point in 2008. -
The 47th overall pick in the 2006 draft, Butler signed with Tampa Bay for $725,000 after an up-and-down college season at San Diego. He didn't allow a run in his first 27 innings but tired late in the spring and wound up pitching just 13 innings in his pro debut. The Devil Rays shut him down for two months after he came down with a mild case of biceps tendinitis. When he's 100 percent, Butler possesses a 91-95 mph fastball with above-average life. He also has two plus breaking balls, a tight 12-to-6 overhand curveball and a sweeping slider. His changeup also shows promise with decent fade and depth. Tampa Bay is working on refining Butler's mechanics to help him drive more with his lower body in order to take stress off his arm and shoulder. At 6-foot-5, he gets out of kilter with his mechanics on occasion, but the Rays believe the entire package should come together nicely once his body fully matures. While they'll continue to be careful with him, Butler has the arm to move quickly through the minors. He'll open 2007 season in high Class A.
