Eddie Butler (baseball)

Timothy Edward Butler (born March 13, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Chicago Cubs, and Texas Rangers. He has also played in the KBO League for the NC Dinos.

Eddie Butler
Butler with the Omaha Storm Chasers in 2021
Free agent
Pitcher
Born: (1991-03-13) March 13, 1991
Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S.
Bats: Right
Throws: Right
Professional debut
MLB: June 6, 2014, for the Colorado Rockies
KBO: March 23, 2019, for the NC Dinos
MLB statistics
(through 2018 season)
Win–loss record12–22
Earned run average5.80
Strikeouts153
KBO statistics
(through 2019 season)
Win–loss record3–6
Earned run average4.76
Strikeouts49
Teams

Amateur career

Butler attended Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia. After playing for the school's baseball team, The Virginian-Pilot named him to their All-Tidewater team in 2009, his senior year.[1] The Texas Rangers selected him in the 35th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and attended Radford University, where he played college baseball for the Radford Highlanders.

In his junior year, Butler pitched to a 7–4 win–loss record and a 2.20 earned run average (ERA). He won the Big South Conference Pitcher of the Year Award.[2][3] In 2011, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[4]

Professional career

Colorado Rockies

The Colorado Rockies selected Butler in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He signed with the Rockies, receiving a $1 million signing bonus.[6] Butler made his professional debut with the Grand Junction Rockies of the Rookie-level Pioneer League, and was named an All-Star after going 7–1 with a 2.13 ERA and 55 strikeouts.[7][8] Butler began the 2013 season with the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, but after making nine starts for Asheville, he was promoted to the Modesto Nuts of the Class A-Advanced California League.[9] He was named to appear in the 2013 All-Star Futures Game,[10] where he pitched an inning without allowing a run.[11] Butler made six starts for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class AA Texas League to conclude the season.[6]

The Rockies invited Butler to spring training in 2014.[12] They assigned him to Tulsa to start the 2014 season,[13] and he started Tulsa's season opener.[14] After he pitched to a 2.49 ERA with 40 strikeouts and 19 walks in 68+2⁄3 innings pitched, the Rockies promoted Butler to the major leagues for his debut on June 6.[15] He recorded a loss in his first start, pitching 51⁄3innings and giving up 6 runs on 10 hits.[16] He was placed on the disabled-list before his next scheduled start with right shoulder inflammation, and he was replaced by Tyler Matzek, who would be the third starting pitcher to debut for the Rockies in six days, along with Butler and Christian Bergman.[17]

Butler won the fifth starter's spot out of Spring Training in 2015. Butler struggled mightily at the beginning, inducing 30 walks while striking out just 29 in 54+1⁄3 innings. He was demoted at the end of May to AAA. Butler was once again called up, he finished the season with a 3–10 record along with an ERA of 5.90 in 16 games started.[18] He also had his first complete game of his career.[19] Right-handed batters had a higher batting average against him, .340, than against all other MLB pitchers in 30 or more innings.[20]

Butler with the Rockies in 2016

Butler finished the 2016 season 2–5 with a 7.17 ERA.[21] On January 28, 2017, Butler was designated for assignment.[22]

Chicago Cubs

On February 1, 2017, Butler was traded to the Chicago Cubs for James Farris.[23] He made his Cubs debut on May 12 and pitched 6 shutout innings in a 3–2 victory over the Cardinals.[24] Butler spent time in the Cubs rotation and in the AAA level, appearing in 13 games for the Cubs, 11 of them starts. In 54+2⁄3 innings, Butler was 4–3 with a 3.95 ERA. The following season, Butler began the 2018 season in the Cubs bullpen before being placed on the 60 day disabled list.

Texas Rangers

On July 27, 2018, Butler (along with Rollie Lacy and Alexander Ovalles) was traded to the Texas Rangers in exchange for Cole Hamels.[25] In 22 appearances, he pitched to a 6.47 ERA in 32 innings while going 2/2 in save opportunities. He elected free agency on November 21, 2018.

NC Dinos

On December 3, 2018, Butler signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with the NC Dinos of the KBO League.[26] He was waived on July 3, 2019, after pitching to a 3–6 record with a 4.76 ERA in 13 starts.[27]

Chicago Dogs

On June 17, 2020, Butler signed with the Chicago Dogs of the American Association. On November 12, 2020, Butler was released by the Dogs.

Kansas City Royals

On May 4, 2021, Butler signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[28] However, the next day, the Kansas City Royals organization purchased Butler's contract and assigned him to the Triple-A Omaha Storm Chasers.[29] Butler made 27 appearances for Omaha, going 7–3 with a 6.01 ERA and 55 strikeouts. On September 8, 2021, the Royals released Butler.[30]

Southern Maryland Blue Crabs

On April 13, 2022, Butler signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.[31] Butler started 26 games for the Blue Crabs in 2022, posting a 12–6 record and 4.94 ERA with 94 strikeouts in 155.0 innings pitched.

Charleston Dirty Birds

On January 27, 2023, Butler was traded to the Charleston Dirty Birds of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball in exchange for infielder Jose Rosario.[32] In 3 starts, he struggled to a 9.82 ERA with 8 strikeouts in 11.0 innings of work. On July 25, Butler was released by Charleston.[33]

References
  1. "All-Tidewater 2009 – Baseball". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  2. Connors, Mike. "Rockies pick ex-Greenbrier Christian hurler 46th overall". The Virginian-Pilot. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  3. "Radford pitcher likes his prospects". Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  4. "#30 Eddie Butler – Profile". pointstreak.com. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  5. "Rockies add college righty Butler at No. 46". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  6. Callis, Jim (May 24, 2013). "Pipeline Perspectives: Jon Gray and Eddie Butler give Rockies top duo of pitching prospects | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  7. Smith, Daren (August 25, 2012). "Selman, Dahl top Pioneer All-Stars". Milb.com. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  8. "Mustangs put 2 on Pioneer League all-star team". Billingsgazette.com. August 25, 2012. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  9. Lee, David (May 25, 2013). "Rockies prospect Eddie Butler gets quick promotion | The Augusta Chronicle". Chronicle.augusta.com. Retrieved June 6, 2013.
  10. "Rockies prospect Eddie Butler's rapid rise leads to Futures Game | Rockies.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. June 26, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  11. "Rockies prospect Eddie Butler pitched a scoreless inning at the Futures Game | Rockies.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. July 14, 2013. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  12. "Prospects Eddie Butler, Jon Gray among Colorado Rockies' invitees | Rockies.com: News". Colorado.rockies.mlb.com. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
  13. "Barry Lewis: Top prospects Jon Gray, Eddie Butler to start season with Drillers – Tulsa World: Tulsa World Sports Extra". Tulsa World. March 30, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  14. "Top prospect Eddie Butler, Drillers set for season opener – Tulsa World: Tulsa World Sports Extra". Tulsa World. April 3, 2014. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  15. Seiner, Jake. "Rockies call up Butler to make start Friday | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved June 4, 2014.
  16. "Gordon's 2 triples lead Dodgers past Rockies 7–2". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 6, 2014. Retrieved June 7, 2014.
  17. Ringolsby, Tracy (June 12, 2014). "Matzek savors victory after tough road to bigs". MLB.com. Retrieved September 10, 2016.
  18. "Eddie Butler called up for Rockies as Jorge De La Rosa heads to DL". April 27, 2016.
  19. Barry, Edward (March 17, 2016). "Eddie Butler Works to Improve Consistency". Rox Pile. Retrieved February 12, 2018.
  20. Splits Leaderboards | FanGraphs
  21. "Greg Holland officially signs with Rockies; Eddie Butler designated for assignment". January 28, 2017.
  22. Adler, David (January 28, 2017). "Rockies designate Butler for assignment". MLB.com. Retrieved January 28, 2017.
  23. "Cubs acquire right-hander Eddie Butler". Cubs.com. MLB.com. Retrieved February 1, 2017.
  24. "Cubs vs. Cardinals – 05/12/17". MLB.com.
  25. "Cole Hamels trade official: Cubs send Eddie Butler to Rangers in deal". July 27, 2018.
  26. "NC Dinos sign ex-big league pitcher Butler". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. December 3, 2018. Retrieved December 3, 2018.
  27. "Slumping ball club releases two foreign players". English.yonhapnews.co.kr. July 3, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2019.
  28. "Blue Crabs Round Out Roster With Two Former Cubs, Two Catchers". May 4, 2021. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  29. "Royals Sign Anthony Swarzak, Eddie Butler".
  30. "Minor League Transactions: Aug. 28-Sept. 10, 2021".
  31. "Blue Crabs Release 2022 Spring Training Roster". Southern Maryland Blue Crabs. April 13, 2022. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  32. "Atlantic League Professional Baseball: Transactions".
  33. https://www.atlanticleague.com/stats/transactions/
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