What to make of Billy Butler???

[NYMetsIn2k4]

Hes a former 1st round pick and hes proved to be a solid average hitter but he hasnt developed HR power, though he is hitting a lot of doubles this season. hes currently batting 3rd in KCs lineup and could provide solid Avg and RBI numbers but is he really worth rostering in most leagues? I do think his doubles will start getting over the fence as hes only 23 years old but he could be a year or so away from hitting that power stroke... opinions?

[zepfan]

In a keeper I think he should be owned in just about any league. In a redraft I still think he can be useful for average without hurting you much in runs or RBIs. I don't think the power will be coming this year, though.

[quitesanemax]

In a redraft league, I think you have to keep in mind that this guy has horrible numbers on the road. If he can turn those numbers around, then he becomes someone who you can put in your lineup every day. He was 4 for 17 in his last road series against the Red Sox just before the AS break. In his first road game since, last night, he went 5 for 5. That is definitely worth keeping an eye up. If he continues that type of hitting on the road, I'd pick him up real fast. If he can turn that road disaster around, he is definitely worth a look, IMO. HRs is just one category.

Max

[jjs]

He'll be a top hitter in about 3 yrs. All of these doubles will be hrs. If they even had an average offense around him this year he would have been a .300/18/90/90 guy.

[willy-t]

I own Butler in a dynasty and Im pretty pleased with how he's coming along. He's been a few years in the majors now but still only 23 years old. Maintaining good average and plenty of XBH

[rookies and cream]

I was just reading this thread and Butler hit a HR. Coincidence??

[J35J]

I'll be suprised if he ever hits more than 25hr. He's a groundball/line drive hitter and just doesn't hit moon shots. I see him more like what we had Mike Sweeney or a right handed Lyle Overbay..... .300+/ 20-25hr / 100rbi / 40+ doubles ....pretty good player but I'm not sure he'll dominate like he was expected too coming up. Pretty close to what I see in Pablo Sandoval as well.

[willy-t]

I'll be suprised if he ever hits more than 25hr. He's a groundball/line drive hitter and just doesn't hit moon shots. I see him more like what we had Mike Sweeney or a right handed Lyle Overbay..... .300+/ 20-25hr / 100rbi / 40+ doubles ....pretty good player but I'm not sure he'll dominate like he was expected too coming up. Pretty close to what I see in Pablo Sandoval as well.

I think he's a much better pure hitter than Overbay or Sandoval. Can see him hitting 330 year in year out. He's highly advanced particularly for his age. He'll also hit middle of the order and probably score and drive in 100 runs year after year. Overbay has never done that. He might be a 20-25 HR guy (though he's too young to say he's reached his HR potential) but he can still be a very nice player.

[SpecialFNK]

maybe Butler is the new Adam LaRoche/Aubrey Huff that isnt as good early in the season but comes on in the 2nd half.

[J35J]

I'll be suprised if he ever hits more than 25hr. He's a groundball/line drive hitter and just doesn't hit moon shots. I see him more like what we had Mike Sweeney or a right handed Lyle Overbay..... .300+/ 20-25hr / 100rbi / 40+ doubles ....pretty good player but I'm not sure he'll dominate like he was expected too coming up. Pretty close to what I see in Pablo Sandoval as well.

I think he's a much better pure hitter than Overbay or Sandoval. Can see him hitting 330 year in year out. He's highly advanced particularly for his age. He'll also hit middle of the order and probably score and drive in 100 runs year after year. Overbay has never done that. He might be a 20-25 HR guy (though he's too young to say he's reached his HR potential) but he can still be a very nice player.

I wouldn't say much better and I'm not sure he'll hit .330 consistantly....once or twice maybe but not consistantly. And my Overbay comparison wasn't a specific comparison to him so much as a comparison of skill sets.....good solid hitter who could pop 20+ but was mostly a line drive doubles machine. It'll be hard for him to score more than 100 runs because his speed is quite poor and we'll need to get a couple other top notch hitters behind him to even sniff that number even if he was fast. He's good but I think some still overrate him based on what he was suppose to be coming up.....oh sure he'll improve as he's still young but there isn't really anything there that tells me he's going to take huge steps going forward...anything can happen though.