Eddie

Butler

Butler was signed out of Indy Ball back in May, but wound up recorded a lackluster 6.01 ERA, 1.64 WHIP and 55/33 K/BB ratio across 79 1/3 innings (27 appearances, 13 starts) at Triple-A Omaha. The 30-year-old righty hasn’t appeared in the major leagues since 2018.

The 30-year-old has not pitched in major league baseball since 2018 but did pitch for the NC Dinos in the KBO in 2019 and the Chicago Dogs in 2020. Butler owns a career 5.80 ERA with a 6.4 percent strikeout minus walk rate. It seems the Royals know something we don’t.

He’ll receive an $800,000 salary and a signing bonus of $200,000. Butler put up a rough 5.62 ERA and 29/19 K/BB ratio over 49 2/3 innings between the Cubs and Rangers in 2018. The 27-year-old was recently outrighted off Texas’ 40-man roster.

The move opens up a spot on the 40-man roster. Butler was acquired from the Cubs as part of the Cole Hamels deal and posted a rough 6.47 ERA over 22 relief appearances down the stretch.

The 46th overall selection in the 2012 draft, Butler was promoted to Modesto in late May after he opened the season with a 1.66 ERA and 51/25 K/BB in 54 1/3 innings for Low-A Asheville. Since arriving at the more advanced level, the 22-year-old right-hander has continued to impress with a 2.45 ERA and 42/13 K/BB through 44 innings in the hitter-friendly California League. Given his background as a college pitcher and potential for three plus pitches at maturity, Butler could move quickly through the Rockies system. And with his stock on the rise, he may be worth a speculative add in keeper/dynasty formats.

One of the key pieces in last season’s Troy Tulowitzki trade with the Blue Jays, Hoffman has put up a 3.49 ERA and 88/29 K/BB ratio over 87 2/3 innings in a tough pitching environment at Triple-A Albuquerque this year. He’d obviously be entering another tough environment should the Rockies promote him soon, although the talented 23-year-old might be worth a look in deeper leagues. Eddie Butler’s spot in Colorado’s rotation appears to be the most vulnerable.

Butler struck out four and walked four on the evening. A three-run home run by Justin Turner in the very first inning accounted for the scoring on his watch. He managed to settle in after that rough first inning. For the season, the 25-year-old right-hander holds a 5.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 28/10 K/BB ratio over 42 2/3 innings. A home start against the Padres shows next on his schedule.

By all rights, Butler should have taken the loss, but the Rockies rallied to tie the game in the eighth inning and saved him from the outright defeat. Four of the six runs on his line came home in the third inning, when Socrates Brito and Jake Lamb both socked two-run homers off the 25-year-old right-hander. Butler has now allowed at least six runs in two of his last three starts, dragging his ERA from 4.13 to 6.71 in that short space. He will try for better results in a home start against the Blue Jays next time he toes the rubber.

Yikes. Butler had already allowed four runs when he came back out to start the fifth inning, but that frame collapsed on him in a hurry. Four more would come home to score on his line when all was said and done. The 25-year-old right-hander has had his moments, but still holds a troubling 5.65 ERA and 1.31 WHIP. That ERA sat at 4.13 entering Thursday’s start. He will try to maneuver back in that direction in a road showdown with the Dodgers next time he toes the rubber.

Butler gave up just four hits and a walk, but one of those hits was a three-run home run by Buster Posey in the first inning. Butler has pitched fairly well through 32 2/3 innings this year, posting a 4.13 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, but he’s just 2-2 to show for it. He’ll look to get back above .500 Thursday against the Reds.