Ryan

Butler

He’s moving up to the Texas League after posting a 3-2 record, 1.96 ERA, 1.19 WHIP and 25/7 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 41 1/3 innings (seven starts) at High-A Lake Elsinore. Selected in the seventh round of the 2014 draft out of the University of Charlotte, Butler, 23, spent his 2014 professional debut working out of the bullpen for Short Season Eugene and Low-A Fort Wayne, saving 11 games in 12 opportunities to go along with a 2.76 ERA and 11.1 K/9 in 29 1/3 innings. That he’s made a smooth adjustment back to starting is an encouraging sign for the 6-foot-4 right-hander, while his age and strike-throwing ability makes him a candidate to continue moving quickly up the ladder.

Butler, 23, held a 3.90 ERA over 64 2/3 innings in the Padres’ minor leagues this past season. The right-hander, who made three starts at Double-A San Antonio last year, was the team’s seventh-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.