| Eddie Butler | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Butler with theOmaha Storm Chasers in 2021 | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: (1991-03-13)March 13, 1991 (age 34) Chesapeake, Virginia, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| Professional debut | |
| MLB: June 6, 2014, for the Colorado Rockies | |
| KBO: March 23, 2019, for the NC Dinos | |
| Last appearance | |
| MLB: September 28, 2018, for the Texas Rangers | |
| KBO: June 18, 2019, for the NC Dinos | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 12–22 |
| Earned run average | 5.80 |
| Strikeouts | 153 |
| KBO statistics | |
| Win–loss record | 3–6 |
| Earned run average | 4.76 |
| Strikeouts | 49 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Timothy Edward Butler (born March 13, 1991) is an American former professionalbaseballpitcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theColorado Rockies,Chicago Cubs, andTexas Rangers, and in theKBO League for theNC Dinos.
Butler attendedGreenbrier Christian Academy inChesapeake, 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] TheTexas Rangers selected him in the 35th round of the2009 Major League Baseball draft. He did not sign and attendedRadford University, where he playedcollege baseball for theRadford Highlanders.
In his junior year, Butler pitched to a 7–4win–loss record and a 2.20earned run average (ERA). He won theBig South Conference Pitcher of the Year Award.[2][3] In 2011, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theHarwich Mariners of theCape Cod Baseball League.[4]
TheColorado Rockies selected Butler in the first round of the2012 Major League Baseball draft.[5] He signed with the Rockies, receiving a $1 millionsigning bonus.[6] Butler made his professional debut with theGrand Junction Rockies of theRookie-levelPioneer League, and was named an All-Star after going 7–1 with a 2.13 ERA and 55strikeouts.[7][8] Butler began the 2013 season with theAsheville Tourists of theSingle-ASouth Atlantic League, but after making nine starts for Asheville, he was promoted to theModesto Nuts of theHigh-ACalifornia League.[9] He was named to appear in the 2013All-Star Futures Game,[10] where he pitched an inning without allowing a run.[11] Butler made six starts for theTulsa Drillers of theDouble-ATexas League to conclude the season.[6]
The Rockies invited Butler tospring 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 19walks in68+2⁄3innings 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 byTyler Matzek, who would be the third starting pitcher to debut for the Rockies in six days, along with Butler andChristian 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 in54+1⁄3 innings. He was demoted at the end of May to the Triple-AAlbuquerque Isotopes. 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 finished the 2016 season 2–5 with a 7.17 ERA.[21] On January 28, 2017, Butler wasdesignated for assignment.[22]
On February 1, 2017, Butler was traded to theChicago Cubs in exchange forJames 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 with the Triple-AIowa Cubs, appearing in 13 games for Chicago, 11 of them starts. In54+2⁄3 innings, Butler was 4–3 with a 3.95 ERA and 30 strikeouts. The following season, Butler began the season in the Cubs'bullpen before being placed on the 60-day disabled list with a right groin strain on June 11, 2018.
On July 27, 2018, Butler (along with Rollie Lacy and Alexander Ovalles) was traded to theTexas Rangers in exchange forCole Hamels.[25] In 22 appearances, he pitched to a 6.47 ERA in 32 innings while going 2-for-2 in save opportunities. Butler elected free agency on November 21.
On December 3, 2018, Butler signed a one-year, $800,000 contract with theNC Dinos of theKBO League.[26] He was waived on July 3, 2019, after pitching to a 3–6 record with a 4.76 ERA and 49 strikeouts in 13 starts.[27]
On June 17, 2020, Butler signed with theChicago Dogs of theAmerican Association of Independent Professional Baseball. In 12 games (11 starts) for the Dogs, he struggled to an 0-7 record and 5.65 ERA with 40 strikeouts across65+1⁄3 innings pitched. On November 12, Butler was released by Chicago.
On May 4, 2021, Butler signed with theSouthern Maryland Blue Crabs of theAtlantic League of Professional Baseball.[28] However, the next day, theKansas City Royals organization purchased Butler's contract and assigned him to the Triple-AOmaha Storm Chasers.[29] Butler made 27 appearances for Omaha, going 7–3 with a 6.01 ERA and 55 strikeouts. On September 8, the Royals released Butler.[30]
On April 13, 2022, Butler signed with theSouthern Maryland Blue Crabs of theAtlantic 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 innings pitched.
On January 27, 2023, Butler was traded to theCharleston Dirty Birds of theAtlantic 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 innings of work. On July 25, Butler was released by Charleston.[33]