The Athletics optioned Butler to Double-A Midland on Sunday.
Butler made waves in spring training by producing a 1.625 OPS and drawing four walks while striking out just three times in 11 games, but since the 22-year-old has never played above the High-A level, he never was viewed as a likely candidate to break camp with the big club. He'll at least be rewarded for his excellent spring with his first taste of the Double-A level to open 2023.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Standing out in spring
Rotowire
Butler is hitting .571 (8-for-14) with three doubles, a triple, a home run, seven RBI, three walks, two stolen bases and four runs across eight Cactus League games.
Butler has yet to play above the High-A level, but his numbers against big-league arms thus far this spring underscore his impressive all-around skill set. The 22-year-old generated a solid .270 average and .825 OPS in 2022 at High-A Lansing, and Martin Gallegos of MLB.com notes Butler's body of work this spring makes it highly likely he'll start the season at Double-A Midland and possibly make his big-league debut before the end of the 2023 campaign.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Added to 40-man roster
Rotowire
Butler was added to the Athletics' 40-man roster Tuesday.
A physically impressive corner outfielder and designated hitter, Butler hit .270/.357/.468 with 11 home runs, 13 steals and a 31.5 percent strikeout rate in his age-21/22 season at High-A. Now that he is on the 40-man roster, the clock will be ticking on Butler to adjust to a higher level of pitching at Double-A.
... See More... See Less
Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Returns from IL
Rotowire
Butler (arm) has gone 2-for-11 with two doubles, three walks, one stolen base and three runs in four games for High-A Lansing since being reinstated from the 7-day injured list Thursday.
Butler was sidelined at Lansing for approximately seven weeks due to an arm injury. The 22-year-old is slashing .260/.351/.439 with eight home runs and 11 stolen bases over 295 plate appearances on the season at High-A.
