Biographical

Portrait of Billy Butler

Billy Butler 1BRoyals

Royals Player Cards | Royals Team Audit | Royals Depth Chart

2013 Projections (seasonal age 27) - Rest of Season Projections
PA AVG HR R RBI SB TAv WARP
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Birth Date4-18-1986
Height6' 1"
Weight240 lbs
Age27 years, 1 months, 5 days
BatsR
ThrowsR
2.22009
2.82010
2.02011
3.12012
2.62013
+proj

Standard

YEAR TEAM AGE G PA AB R H 2B 3B HR TB BB SO HBP SF SH RBI SB CS AVG OBP SLG TAv VORP FRAA WARP
2007 KCA 21 92 360 329 38 96 23 2 8 147 27 55 2 2 0 52 0 0 .292 .347 .447 .268 7.0 -0.5 0.6
2008 KCA 22 124 478 443 44 122 22 0 11 177 33 57 0 2 0 55 0 1 .275 .324 .400 .245 -6.3 -2.1 -0.8
2009 KCA 23 159 672 608 78 183 51 1 21 299 58 103 2 4 0 93 1 0 .301 .362 .492 .291 24.4 -2.9 2.2
2010 KCA 24 158 678 595 77 189 45 0 15 279 69 78 5 9 0 78 0 0 .318 .388 .469 .298 26.7 0.5 2.8
2011 KCA 25 159 673 597 74 174 44 0 19 275 66 95 3 7 0 95 2 1 .291 .361 .461 .287 19.7 -0.9 2.0
2012 KCA 26 161 679 614 72 192 32 1 29 313 54 111 7 4 0 107 2 1 .313 .373 .510 .304 29.6 -0.2 3.1
2013 KCA 27 42 172 146 17 40 8 0 5 63 23 25 2 1 0 30 0 0 .274 .378 .432 .291 5.8 0.0 0.6
Career89537123332400996225410815533305242129051053.299.363.466.286107.0-6.210.5

Advanced

'opp' stats - quality of opponents faced - have been moved and are available only as OPP_QUAL in the Statistics reports now.
YEAR Team Lg G PA TAv oppAVG oppOBP oppSLG oppTAv BABIP BPF BRAA repLVL POS_ADJ FRAA BRR BVORP BWARP VORP WARP
2004 IDA Rk 72 323 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .465 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2005 HDS A+ 92 430 .000 .000 .000 .000 .000 .391 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2005 WIC AA 29 119 .303 .264 .323 .405 .000 .337 105 4.7 2.7 -0.8 -3.0 0.2 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2006 WIC AA 119 535 .331 .274 .345 .430 .000 .361 102 31.9 11.9 -4.4 -6.0 -7.8 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2007 KCA MLB 92 360 .268 .269 .328 .416 .000 .328 102 3.2 10.4 -6.5 -0.5 -0.3 7.0 0.6 7.0 0.6
2007 OMA AAA 57 256 .324 .285 .349 .437 .000 .289 97 17.7 7.1 -3.4 -1.7 -3.7 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2008 KCA MLB 124 478 .245 .271 .330 .421 .000 .294 98 -7.5 13.6 -8.7 -2.1 -2.8 -6.3 -0.8 -6.3 -0.8
2008 OMA AAA 26 115 .332 .280 .340 .451 .000 .326 95 9.5 3.2 -2.3 -2.1 0.6 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0
2009 KCA MLB 159 672 .291 .266 .324 .421 .000 .332 99 22.4 19.4 -12.3 -2.9 -4.1 24.4 2.2 24.4 2.2
2010 KCA MLB 158 678 .298 .260 .320 .406 .000 .341 102 26.1 19.2 -12 0.5 -4.6 26.7 2.8 26.7 2.8
2011 KCA MLB 159 673 .287 .259 .315 .405 .000 .316 103 17.7 12.1 -11.5 -0.9 -4.1 19.7 2.0 19.7 2.0
2012 KCA MLB 161 679 .304 .256 .314 .409 .000 .341 102 29.4 12.2 -11.7 -0.2 -4.8 29.6 3.1 29.6 3.1
2013 KCA MLB 42 172 .291 .247 .309 .403 .256 .299 102 5.3 4.7 -3 0.0 -1.0 5.8 0.6 5.8 0.6
CareerMLB3712.286.262.320.412.260.32510197.598.8-65.9-6.3-21.7108.010.6108.010.6

Statistics For All Levels

Year Team Lg PA R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB CS AVG OBP SLG ISO TAv VORP FRAA WARP
2004 IDA Rk 323 74 97 22 3 10 68 57 63 5 0 .373 .491 .596 .223 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
2005 HDS A+ 430 70 132 30 2 25 91 42 80 0 0 .348 .422 .636 .288 .000 0.0 0.0 0.0
2005 WIC AA 119 14 35 9 0 5 19 7 18 0 0 .312 .353 .527 .214 .303 0.0 -3.0 0.0
2006 WIC AA 535 82 158 33 1 15 96 41 67 1 0 .331 .393 .499 .168 .331 0.0 -6.0 0.0
2007 KCA MLB 360 38 96 23 2 8 52 27 55 0 0 .292 .347 .447 .155 .268 7.0 -0.5 0.6
2007 OMA AAA 256 40 59 10 1 13 46 43 32 1 0 .291 .420 .542 .251 .324 0.0 -1.7 0.0
2008 KCA MLB 478 44 122 22 0 11 55 33 57 0 1 .275 .324 .400 .124 .245 -6.3 -2.1 -0.8
2008 OMA AAA 115 18 34 6 1 5 13 14 7 0 0 .337 .417 .564 .228 .332 0.0 -2.1 0.0
2009 KCA MLB 672 78 183 51 1 21 93 58 103 1 0 .301 .362 .492 .191 .291 24.4 -2.9 2.2
2010 KCA MLB 678 77 189 45 0 15 78 69 78 0 0 .318 .388 .469 .151 .298 26.7 0.5 2.8
2011 KCA MLB 673 74 174 44 0 19 95 66 95 2 1 .291 .361 .461 .169 .287 19.7 -0.9 2.0
2012 KCA MLB 679 72 192 32 1 29 107 54 111 2 1 .313 .373 .510 .197 .304 29.6 -0.2 3.1
2013 KCA MLB 172 17 40 8 0 5 30 23 25 0 0 .274 .378 .432 .158 .291 5.8 0.0 0.6

Injury History beta

Date On Date Off Transaction Days Games Side Body Part Injury Severity Surgery Date Reaggravation
2011-09-19 2011-09-21 DTD 2 1 - General Medical Illness Flu - -
2010-09-08 2010-09-10 DTD 2 1 Left Hand Contusion HBP -
2010-08-26 2010-08-28 DTD 2 1 Right Hand Inflammation -
2010-02-15 2010-03-04 Camp 17 0 - General Medical Respiratory Flu -
2009-03-01 2009-03-05 Camp 4 0 Left Hand Contusion HBP -

Compensation

Year Team Salary
2015 KCA $
2014 KCA $8,500,000
2013 KCA $8,500,000
2012 KCA $8,500,000
2011 KCA $3,500,000
2010 KCA $470,000
2009 KCA $421,000
2008 KCA $399,000
YearsDescriptionSalary
5 yrPrevious$13,290,000
2011Current$8,500,000
6 yrPvs + Cur$21,790,000
1 yrFuture$8,500,000
7 yrTotal$30,290,000

 

Service TimeAgentContract Status
5 y 102 dGreg Genske4 years/$30M (2011-14), 2015 option

Details
  • 4 years/$30M (2011-14), plus 2015 club option. Signed extension with Kansas City 1/22/11 (avoided arbitration, $4.3M-$3.4M). $2M signing bonus. 11:$3M, 12:$8M, 13:$8M, 14:$8M, 15:$12.5M club option, $1M buyout). Option may increase by $2M to $14.5M if traded. Assignment bonus if traded.
  • 1 year/$0.47M (2010). Re-signed by Kansas City 3/4/10.
  • 1 year/$0.421M (2009). Re-signed by Kansas City 3/3/09. Split contract, $216,300 in minors.
  • 1 year/$0.399M (2008). Re-signed by Kansas City 3/2/08. Recalled 6/28/08.
  • 1 year (2007). Re-signed by Kansas City 2/07. Contract purchased 5/1/07, optioned to Triple-A 5/17/07, recalled 6/19/07.
  • Drafted by Kansas City 2004 (1-14) (Wolfson HS, Jacksonville, Fla.). Signed 6/04, $1.45M signing bonus.

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Platoon

SORT_FIELD PLATOON AVG OBP SLG TAv
10 vs L (Multi) .319 .407 .562 .329
11 vs R (Multi) .302 .356 .463 .286
18 Split (Multi) -.017 -.050 -.100 -.044
19 LgAvg (Multi) -.014 -.024 -.036 -.020
30 vs L (2012) .331 .417 .619 .350
31 vs R (2012) .306 .356 .471 .287
38 Split (2012) -.025 -.061 -.147 -.063
39 LgAvg (2012) -.013 -.022 -.038 -.020

BP Annual Player Comments

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BP Articles

Billy Butler is referenced in the following articles.

BP Premium requires BP Premium access to view, BP Fantasy requires BP Premium or BP Fantasy access to view

  Title Author Date
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: May 19, 2013Clint Chisam2013-05-19
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: May 15th, 2013Clint Chisam2013-05-15
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: May 14th, 2013Clint Chisam2013-05-14
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: May 12th, 2013Clint Chisam2013-05-12
Overthinking It: This Week in Catcher Framing, 5/3Ben Lindbergh2013-05-03
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: May 2, 2013Clint Chisam2013-05-02
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 22Larry Granillo2013-04-23
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: April 22, 2013Clint Chisam2013-04-22
Overthinking It: This Week in Catcher Framing, 4/12Ben Lindbergh2013-04-12
Fantasy Mailbag: Be Patient with Struggling Blue JaysBP Fantasy Team2013-04-12
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 10Larry Granillo2013-04-11
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Freestyle: My American League PortfolioPaul Sporer2013-04-10
This article requires BP Premium accessWhat You Need to Know: Cuckoo for Coco (Crisp)Daniel Rathman2013-04-09
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 7Larry Granillo2013-04-08
This article requires BP Premium accessDaily Roundup: Around the League: April 8, 2013Clint Chisam2013-04-08
Daily Roundup: Around the League: April 5, 2013Clint Chisam2013-04-05
Daily Roundup: Around the League: April 5, 2013Joe Hamrahi2013-04-05
Prospectus Preview: These Questions Three: The Bottom of the BarrelIan Miller2013-03-29
Prospectus Preview: These Questions Three: The Bottom of the BarrelRussell A. Carleton2013-03-29
This article requires BP Premium accessRumor Roundup: Strong Side, Weak SideDaniel Rathman2013-03-28
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Tier Rankings: First BasemenJosh Shepardson2013-03-20
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Freestyle: 4x4 Versus 5x5Mike Gianella2013-03-15
This article requires BP Premium accessPebble Hunting: The End of First Basemen?Sam Miller2013-03-11
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessPre-Season Positional Rankings: Top 15 Fantasy First BasemenPaul Singman2013-02-14
This article requires BP Premium accessIn A Pickle: Slugger OffJason Wojciechowski2012-12-28
This article requires BP Premium accessOverthinking It: Teams That Still Have Holes to FillBen Lindbergh2012-12-07
This article requires BP Premium accessRumor Roundup: Thursday, December 6Daniel Rathman2012-12-06
On the Beat: Rumblings from NashvilleJohn Perrotto2012-12-04
BP Daily Podcast: Effectively Wild Episode 94: The Perplexing Trade Value of R.A. Dickey and Billy ButlerBen Lindbergh2012-12-04
BP Daily Podcast: Effectively Wild Episode 94: The Perplexing Trade Value of R.A. Dickey and Billy ButlerSam Miller2012-12-04
This article requires BP Premium accessProspects Will Break Your Heart: Kansas City Royals Top 10 ProspectsJason Parks2012-12-03
On the Beat: AL Shopping ListsJohn Perrotto2012-11-21
Prospect Debate: Who is the Cubs' Top Prospect?BP Prospect Staff2012-11-08
This article requires BP Premium accessProspect Push: Big League Ready-or-NotJason Churchill2012-10-12
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for Sept. 28: Bobby Abreu, All AloneLarry Granillo2012-09-29
The Lineup Card: Six Toolsy Players Who Haven't Put It TogetherBaseball Prospectus2012-09-19
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for September 16Larry Granillo2012-09-17
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for August 17Larry Granillo2012-08-18
BP Unfiltered: Because No One Else Would Drive Them InGeoff Young2012-08-16
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for August 13Larry Granillo2012-08-14
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for August 10Larry Granillo2012-08-11
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for August 8Larry Granillo2012-08-09
Tater Trot Tracker: Carlos Gomez's Foul Ball Trot, UpdatedLarry Granillo2012-07-26
What You Need to Know: Thursday, July 26Daniel Rathman2012-07-26
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 23Larry Granillo2012-07-24
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 18Larry Granillo2012-07-19
The Lineup Card: 8 Things About Baseball We No Longer BelieveBaseball Prospectus2012-07-18
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 16Larry Granillo2012-07-17
On the Beat: The Great Trout vs. Harper DebateJohn Perrotto2012-07-12
What You Need to Know: Tuesday, July 10Daniel Rathman2012-07-10
The Lineup Card: Nine All-Star SnubsBaseball Prospectus2012-07-05
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for June 19Larry Granillo2012-06-20
The Lineup Card: 10 Picks for the 2015 World ChampsBaseball Prospectus2012-06-14
The BP Wayback Machine: Taking a Step Back, Part TwoKevin Goldstein2012-06-08
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: Kila Ka'aihue Freed, of Obligation to Play in OaklandR.J. Anderson2012-06-07
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 27Larry Granillo2012-05-28
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 26Larry Granillo2012-05-27
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 25Larry Granillo2012-05-26
The Stats Go Marching In: Reaching Back for a Little ExtraMax Marchi2012-05-25
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 20Larry Granillo2012-05-21
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 19Larry Granillo2012-05-20
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 18Larry Granillo2012-05-19
This article requires BP Premium accessPebble Hunting: Kill This NicknameSam Miller2012-05-16
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for May 8 (or, The Josh Hamilton Show)Larry Granillo2012-05-09
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit and Run: Worse Than Pujols, AL EditionJay Jaffe2012-05-02
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 27Larry Granillo2012-04-28
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 25Larry Granillo2012-04-26
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 11Larry Granillo2012-04-12
This article requires BP Premium accessHeartburn Hardball: The Dangers of First ImpressionsJonathan Bernhardt2012-04-12
The Lineup Card: 10 Players Who Should Receive ExtensionsBaseball Prospectus2012-04-11
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 8Larry Granillo2012-04-09
The BP Wayback Machine: Another Opening DayKevin Goldstein2012-04-05
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: The Division-Winning Royals and PadresJohn Perrotto2012-03-29
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Preview: AL Central 2012 Preseason Preview, Part TwoSteven Goldman2012-02-29
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Preview: AL Central 2012 Preseason Preview, Part TwoBen Lindbergh2012-02-29
This article requires BP Premium accessPainting the Black: Of Abreu and IchiroR.J. Anderson2012-02-29
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessEveryone's Perfect: The Myth of SleepersEriq Gardner2012-02-28
The Lineup Card: 11 Times Small Sample Sizes Steered Us WrongBaseball Prospectus2012-02-07
This article requires BP Premium accessResident Fantasy Genius: From Mash to MushDerek Carty2012-01-30
Overthinking It: The Player Popularity TestBen Lindbergh2012-01-24
This article requires BP Premium accessPainting the Black: New Rays and Double PlaysR.J. Anderson2012-01-24
This article requires BP Premium accessFantasy Beat: David Ortiz's Strikeout ImprovementJason Collette2012-01-20
This article requires BP Premium accessThe Keeper Reaper: First, Third, and DH for 12/16/11Michael Street2011-12-16
This article requires BP Premium accessFantasy Beat: Early ADP MoversJason Collette2011-12-09
This article requires BP Premium accessFantasy Beat: Early Off-Season ADPsJason Collette2011-11-22
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Royals Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2011-11-21
This article requires BP Premium accessChanging Speeds: Setting the Line: Final ResultsKen Funck2011-11-17
This article requires BP Premium accessProspects Will Break Your Heart: One of These Days, Baseball Will Come Back to Save MeJason Parks2011-11-16
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Sneaky Speed PlayJason Collette2011-09-23
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for September 15Larry Granillo2011-09-16
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsESPN Insider2011-09-16
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsKevin Goldstein2011-09-16
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsSteven Goldman2011-09-16
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for September 5Larry Granillo2011-09-06
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for August 12Larry Granillo2011-08-13
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for August 3Larry Granillo2011-08-04
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 31Larry Granillo2011-08-01
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Stretch StrategiesJason Collette2011-08-01
Future Shock: Friday Fun: Minor League Update for July 29... 2006?Kevin Goldstein2011-07-29
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 28Larry Granillo2011-07-29
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Royalty Running WildJason Collette2011-07-29
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 27Larry Granillo2011-07-28
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 26Larry Granillo2011-07-27
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for July 22Larry Granillo2011-07-23
Changing Speeds: Setting the Line--Mid-season UpdateKen Funck2011-07-05
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for June 28Larry Granillo2011-06-30
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Indian SummerJohn Perrotto2011-06-22
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Who Am I?Jason Collette2011-06-20
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Monday Morning Ten PackKevin Goldstein2011-06-13
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: 10 Draft Guys We Rushed to JudgeKevin Goldstein2011-06-08
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for June 1Larry Granillo2011-06-02
This article requires BP Premium accessFantasy Beat: The DH ConundrumJason Collette2011-05-27
This article requires BP Premium accessExpanded Horizons: Get it While it's HotTommy Bennett2011-05-06
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Stolen Bases and You in 2011Jason Collette2011-05-06
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 30Larry Granillo2011-05-01
Spitballing: Cracking the Scouting CodeJeremy Greenhouse2011-04-25
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 21Larry Granillo2011-04-22
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: To Buy or Sell on Alex GordonCraig Brown2011-04-20
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: Cleveland RocksTommy Bennett2011-04-18
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: Never Enough PitchingBen Lindbergh2011-04-12
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: First FlightJay Jaffe2011-04-11
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: April Stolen Base TrendsJason Collette2011-04-08
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: An Ideal Road TripKevin Goldstein2011-04-07
Tater Trot Tracker: Trot Times for April 5Larry Granillo2011-04-06
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Monday Morning Twenty PackKevin Goldstein2011-04-04
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Tout Wars Draft ResultsJason Collette2011-03-23
Team Injury Projection: Kansas City RoyalsMarc Normandin2011-03-22
Team Injury Projection: Kansas City RoyalsCorey Dawkins2011-03-22
This article requires BP Premium accessContractual Matters: AL Central Payroll ProjectionsJeff Euston2011-03-16
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Quentin's Falling StockCraig Brown2011-03-16
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Expert Mock Draft ResultsJason Collette2011-03-15
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Billy Butler, Speed DemonJason Collette2011-03-11
This article requires BP Premium accessPurpose Pitches: Day One at HoHoKamChristina Kahrl2011-03-10
This article requires BP Premium accessOverthinking It: The Worst of the BestBen Lindbergh2011-02-24
This article requires BP Premium accessChanging Speeds: Setting the LineKen Funck2011-02-22
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Focus: First Base RankingsMarc Normandin2011-02-17
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Preview: AL Central 2011 Preseason PreviewR.J. Anderson2011-02-15
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Value Picks at First, Third and DHMichael Street2011-02-14
Changing Speeds: The Next Jose BautistaKen Funck2011-02-08
Fantasy Beat: BP Scoresheet Early Draft PrepRob McQuown2011-02-07
Transaction Analysis: The PunishedChristina Kahrl2011-01-25
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Grounding Out With Billy ButlerCraig Brown2011-01-25
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Rankings Review: Third BaseMarc Normandin2011-01-12
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Rankings Review: First BaseMarc Normandin2011-01-04
Prospectus Q&A: Best of Q&A 2010David Laurila2010-12-31
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: A Hero by CircumstanceJohn Perrotto2010-12-21
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Perspective: A Dirty Half-DozenChristina Kahrl2010-12-02
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Kansas City Royals Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2010-11-19
This article requires BP Premium accessChecking the Numbers: Sneaky Good in the Junior CircuitEric Seidman2010-11-18
This article requires BP Premium accessContractual Matters: AL Central Arbitration ForecastJeff Euston2010-11-08
This article requires BP Premium accessGM for a Day: Kansas City RoyalsJohn Perrotto2010-10-14
This article requires BP Premium accessChecking the Numbers: The Meaningless AwardsEric Seidman2010-10-13
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: The FinaleJay Jaffe2010-10-06
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Zack Greinke and the Case of the Missing StrikeoutsCraig Brown2010-09-28
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsKevin Goldstein2010-09-16
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsTommy Bennett2010-09-16
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsESPN Insider2010-09-16
This article requires BP Premium accessUnder The Knife: Looking for a Strasburg ScapegoatWill Carroll2010-08-30
This article requires BP Premium accessUnder The Knife: Surgery for StrasburgWill Carroll2010-08-27
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Building Something SpecialJohn Perrotto2010-08-27
The Week In Quotes: August 16-22Alex Carnevale2010-08-23
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Recapturing The MagicJohn Perrotto2010-08-11
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Ladies And Gents: Your 2013 Kansas City RoyalsKevin Goldstein2010-08-06
The Week In Quotes: July 18-25Alex Carnevale2010-07-26
This article requires BP Premium accessSeidnotes: We Can Hit but We Just Can't ScoreEric Seidman2010-07-23
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: The Good, the Bad and the UglyJay Jaffe2010-06-18
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Q&A: Billy ButlerDavid Laurila2010-06-02
On the Beat: Resurrection Act ReduxJohn Perrotto2010-05-26
This article requires BP Premium accessChecking the Numbers: Royal PainsEric Seidman2010-05-26
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: Bombs AwayJay Jaffe2010-05-21
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Action: Changing their StripesChristina Kahrl2010-05-17
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Hot Spots: Catcher, Second Base, and ShortstopMichael Jong2010-05-11
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Action: Odds and EndsChristina Kahrl2010-05-05
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Wednesday UpdateJohn Perrotto2010-05-05
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: Hot Spots: First Base, Third Base, and Designated HitterMichael Street2010-04-05
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: AL Pre-season EditionJay Jaffe2010-04-02
BP Unfiltered: UPDATED AL Projected Opening Day RostersJohn Perrotto2010-04-01
This article requires BP Premium accessExpanded Horizons: Don't Count Out The DiamondbacksTommy Bennett2010-03-16
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessTeam Health Reports: Kansas City RoyalsWill Carroll2010-03-05
The Week In Quotes: February 22-28Alex Carnevale2010-03-01
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Focus: Third Base RankingsMarc Normandin2010-02-25
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit and Run: AL Central Competitive EcologyJay Jaffe2010-02-23
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Focus: First Base RankingsMarc Normandin2010-02-22
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit and Run: Vortices of SuckJay Jaffe2010-01-25
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Action: Brewing Up a Reunion and a New RoyalChristina Kahrl2010-01-24
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Action: OddmentsChristina Kahrl2010-01-10
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Royals Top 11 ProspectsKevin Goldstein2009-12-01
This article requires BP Premium accessKiss'Em Goodbye: Kansas City RoyalsBaseball Prospectus2009-09-20
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Midweek UpdateJohn Perrotto2009-08-26
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: The Alex Gordon ProblemKevin Goldstein2009-08-25
Prospectus Hit List: PatchworkJay Jaffe2009-08-21
This article requires BP Premium accessChecking the Numbers: Some Royal PerspectiveEric Seidman2009-07-22
This article requires BP Premium accessOn the Beat: Buyers Rush Nearly Empty Shelves?John Perrotto2009-07-16
This article requires BP Fantasy or Premium accessFantasy Beat: First Base CornucopiaMarc Normandin2009-06-26
Prospectus Idol Entry: Kila Ka'aihueTim Kniker2009-06-14
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: AL Central UpdateChristina Kahrl2009-05-11
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: Back to EarthJay Jaffe2009-05-01
This article requires BP Premium accessGame Story: Royals versus SoxChristina Kahrl2009-04-08
This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: Opening Day EditionJay Jaffe2009-04-06
This article requires BP Premium accessThe Season to Come: Projected AL StandingsChristina Kahrl2009-04-03
This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: The All-A EditionChristina Kahrl2009-03-31
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This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Today: The Designated WhateverJoe Sheehan2009-01-30
Every Given Sunday: Winter Meetings PreviewJohn Perrotto2008-12-07
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Future Shock: Ten September Call-up StoriesKevin Goldstein2008-09-03
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This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: Look for LoftonJay Jaffe2008-05-30
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This article requires BP Premium accessProspectus Hit List: Walking a Fine LineJay Jaffe2008-05-09
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This article requires BP Premium accessLies, Damned Lies: PECOTA Takes on First Base ProspectsNate Silver2008-03-28
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This article requires BP Premium accessYou Could Look It Up: More Fun With ComparablesSteven Goldman2008-03-03
This article requires BP Premium accessFuture Shock: Organizational Rankings, Part 1Kevin Goldstein2008-02-29
Spring Training Preview: AL CentralJoe Sheehan2008-02-06
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This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction of the Day: AL CentralChristina Kahrl2007-12-19
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Transaction Analysis: American League RoundupChristina Kahrl2007-07-26
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Royal Rebound: A New Plan, A New Result?John Perrotto2007-06-13
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This article requires BP Premium accessTransaction Analysis: March 19-26, 2007Christina Kahrl2007-03-27
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Prospectus Notebook: Royals, TwinsBaseball Prospectus2006-06-16
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BP Chats

DateQuestionAnswer
2011-07-21 16:00:00Who do you like better for fantasy the rest of the season, Billy Butler or Freddie Freeman?
(Dennis from LA)
I'll go with Freeman because of the power edge. Butler simply doesn't hit enough over the fence and I want as much help in the counting categories now as I can get. (Jason Collette)
2011-06-02 13:00:00Hey Derek, welcome to BP! I'm in a 12-team keeper league with 8 keepers per year (no price, just straight up # of players) with a broad set of categories (10 each on offense and pitching, with the additions to 5x5 peripherals like K/BB, QS, OBP, and SLG. My team played a very weak April (thanks, Swisher, Ubaldo, Hughes, and Colby!) and so despite looking strong pre-season I'm in a position to sell. One of the other owners is looking to get some combination of Cliff Lee, Beckett, or Konerko (he really only needs the pitching) in return for some combination of J. Upton, Billy Butler, and Hellickson. Would any combination of these players (or future draft picks, which are tradeable) make sense in a deal for me, keeping in mind that 2012 is more important than 2011?
(Jeff P from NYC)
Yes. I wouldn't deal Lee or Beckett for Hellickson if you're looking to compete next year, but Konerko for Upton would certainly be a great deal. If he doesn't go for that (probably won't), since the guy needs pitching, I might offer Lee or Beckett for two of those three. (Derek Carty)
2011-01-03 14:00:00Billy Butler - is what he is or the potential for more?
(fantasy from USA)
Still power growth. (Kevin Goldstein)
2010-12-20 13:00:00Congrats on your Phils getting Lee!! Here in Vegas, type of work not always include a laptop, so most of the time, for my question to be read, gotta send it earlier: Which combo would have a better impact on the Royals: Butler, Hosmer and Jesus Montero if they get him, (pick 2 of 3) and what do you think Butler could command in a trade? My thinking is Butler will be expensive when the Royals can contend, so better to get high ceiling middle IF/OF to grow with the other pieces: Moustakas, Myers, all the pitching, etc. Thanks for reading and happy holidays
(Mo from Las Vegas)
I don't know that Billy Butler would command all that much from an NL team given that he is a defensive liability and there is obviously no DH spot, and AL teams might not want to part ways with much to get a higher-priced player without a true position. I think the best bet is if he stays in Kansas City. Just because he's in the majors doesn't mean he isn't considered part of their solid young core throughout the system. Why would they get Jesus Montero though? Was this before the Greinke-to-Milwaukee trade? Either way, keep Butler, let him be the "elder statesman" of the young Royals group. (Eric Seidman)
2010-11-11 13:00:00Billy Butler: will his numbers ever match his swing?
(Tony from Albuquerque)
He's had an OPS of .850 two years in a row in his age 23-24 seasons, so he isn't exactly a disaster. There's certainly still time for him to develop more long ball power, though. That would really be a boost to the Royals as all their young guys move through the system to the majors. (Matt Swartz)
2010-03-26 13:00:00Who do you think has the better chance of making the leap from "very good" to "elite" level first baseman this year: Joey Votto or Billy Butler?
(Bill from LA)
Votto's pretty much already there except for the durability. He's got a career .314 True Average in about 1200 PA. Butler's at .274 through 1500 PA and he's a disasterpiece with the glove. That said, he's also two and a half years youngers, so there's still hope, but if I had to pick one, the choice is easy. (Jay Jaffe)
2010-01-28 14:00:00Ms. Kahrl - welcome back! I have a disturbingly large crush on Billy Butler (50 doubles is ultra sexy) this year, to the point that I actually think he could be a top 5 or so first baseman in baseball THIS YEAR. Your thoughts?
(Dave W from Douglasville, GA)
Pujols, Prince, Teixeira, and AGonz seem like an unassailable top four at the position, but if hitting alone is the qualifier for who winds up fifth, Butler's got a chance of achieving it. (Christina Kahrl)
2009-05-07 14:00:00Kevin: What's your favorite funny scout story?
(Joe from Pequannock, NJ)
Not printable. My favorite printable one is probably the Billy Butler in the outfield story, which is best told in person with hand motions. Favorite recent story: So we got this swine flu stupidity, and Texas dinged all high school sports for a couple weeks. Certain team has this area scout -- great guy, but very very intense about it, like to a point where he doesn't really pay muc attention to the world around him either short or long term. So he drives to a high school a day after Texas dinged the games, doesn't notice that the parking lot is empty, grabs his bag out of his car and starts walking toward the field. Took probably 100 steps before he realized he was the only person on the planet there and started making calls to find out what's going on. (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-11-03 13:30:00Where do you think Mat Gamel ultimately ends up playing in the Majors? Trade Cameron for a 3B or SP and go with Braun/Hart/Gamel in the OF? Trade Fielder and put Gamel at 1B? Suffer the horrible defence at 3B? Trade Gamel for 3B or SP and let someone else make the decision?
(Aaron from YYZ)
I just don't think Gamel can handle third convincingly enough long enough to be tolerated at the big-league level; there just isn't enough Maalox in the world. A Gamel/Hart/Braun outfield would give life to way too many flying things (much as I enjoy the spectacle of seeing Hart in center, it doesn't really work), and Fielder would have to fetch you top-shelf pitching talent *and* perhaps that third baseman to be remotely tolerable, setting aside whether you replace him with Gamel. Gamel to somebody else for a starting pitcher or starting third baseman is sort of like all the talk about Billy Butler: you're limited to the DH-league teams, because everyone's aware of the unglovely downside that goes with these cats and their limitations as fielders. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-11-03 13:30:00Do you think a Billy Butler for Jonathan Sanchez trade would be good for both teams?
(Mike from Utica,NY)
Not at all. Billy Butler can't DH in the National League more than a couple of series. (Christina Kahrl)
2008-06-23 12:00:00Other than recalling Billy Butler, do the Royals have anything in the wind in terms of personnel moves? Wouldn't David DeJesus be a nice fit for the North Siders?
(BL from Bozeman, MT)
Butler would be the main move the Royals would make right now. I think DeJesus would indeed make a nice addition for the Cubs and the Royals should think about trading him if they can get a good return. How about that Mike Aviles, though? He can't sustain it but it's been a neat little run for the stocky shortstop. (John Perrotto)
2008-04-01 14:00:00I reachedvout and grabbed Billy Butler in the 10th round of my fantasy draft (points leaugewhere walks count). What do you see him doing in '08?
(David from Boston)
.290/.360/.510? (Kevin Goldstein)
2008-02-25 12:00:00Thanks for the FR mention. We'd like to claim Alonso as our own, assuming he can catch or even play LF. So back off Ranger fans! Seriously, though, Brett Wallace got off to a roaring start...is he playing 3B this year, and can he stick there? Because if so, Future Redbirds will be claiming him next.
(Erik from Cedar Rapids, IA)
Mr. Manning with an appearance. What's funny is that our previous Alonso questioner sent me a comment back that maybe he'll jump aboard the Brett Wallace train, too. Let's not be too reactionary, people, Alonso is certainly still the better prospect. Wallace is an absolute butcher at third, but Pat Murphy has some depth issues. He won't stick there, but he's got one of the draft's purest bats since Billy Butler, so there's that. (Bryan Smith)
2008-01-30 13:00:00I know that this is a basketball chat but I remember your great weekly column on ESPN on the Royals. What's your prognosis for KC this year? Give me a guess on wins.
(dangor from New York)
Yes! I knew a Royals fan would find his way here ... I haven't cobbled together my team projections yet. In fact, I'm seriously concerned about when I going to have time to do so. But I'll answer you like this: I think that at the end of last season, the overwhelming consensus was that the Royals were in a better position than they were at the end of the season before. I'm very confident that at the end of the 2008 season, we'll be able to say the same thing. That said, I wouldn't be shocked if they win fewer games than last season. But a bump up to the 73-76 win range wouldn't shock me, either. Really, it'll come down to how much Billy Butler and Alex Gordon improve. I'm excited, if maybe dreading that NBA/MLB overlap a little bit. (Bradford Doolittle (Basketball))


BP Roundtables

DateRoundtable NameComment
2010-04-05 09:30:00Season Opener RoundtableBilly Butler is 1 for 3, and unless my math skills are askew, that means he is hitting .333. Would it be false to assume his average will be close to that on October 1st? (David Laurila)
2008-09-29 10:30:00Tigers/White Sox Play-In GameGreg Pizzo (China, Maine) asks: "Does the terrific September by the Royals mean anything? Before the season started, we probably would have thought 75 wins was pretty good, but did they find out anything about their 2009 Royals using this September?"

I'm not so sure all that much progress was made. Guys like Billy Butler and Alex Gordon didn't take steps forward, they got a harsh reminder that Brian Bannister doesn't have a lot of upside, and even things that were good for them to have sorted out--like Tony Pena Jr. and Mark Teahen aren't regulars--didn't necessarily turn out perfectly well. It seems that guys like David DeJesus and Mike Aviles need to move from center and short, respectively. Their defense is a bit of a mess, there are questions over who plays where, and there's a mistake like the Jose Guillen contract to live down. On the plus side, Hillman seemed to get his bullpen sorted out well enough, Greinke's settling in, and Hochevar and Davies don't seem too far behind. They're still a few Gloads shy of having all the bricks to build a lasting foundation, but they're getting there. (Christina Kahrl)
 

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