| Lawrence Butler | |
|---|---|
_(cropped).jpg) Butler with theLansing Lugnuts in 2021 | |
| Athletics – No. 4 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (2000-07-10)July 10, 2000 (age 24) Burlington, New Jersey, U.S. | |
Bats: Left Throws: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| August 11, 2023, for the Oakland Athletics | |
| MLB statistics (through May 21, 2025) | |
| Batting average | .246 |
| Home runs | 33 |
| Runs batted in | 88 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| |
Lawrence Evan Butler (born July 10, 2000)[1] is an American professionalbaseballoutfielder for theAthletics ofMajor League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.
Butler was born inBurlington, New Jersey.[2] He attendedWestlake High School inAtlanta, Georgia,[3] and played in a league and team founded byMarquis Grissom, alongsideMichael Harris II.[4]
TheOakland Athletics selected Butler in the sixth round, with the 173rd overall selection, of the2018 Major League Baseball draft.[5] Butler made his professional debut that year with the rookie–levelArizona League Athletics, hitting .226 in 46 games. Butler spent the 2019 season with the Low–AVermont Lake Monsters. He played in 55 games for the team, struggling to a .177/.276/.287 with 4 home runs and 22 RBI.[6]
Butler did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of theMinor League Baseball season because of theCOVID-19 pandemic.[7] He returned to action in 2021, playing for the Single–AStockton Ports and High–ALansing Lugnuts. In 102 games between the two teams, he batted .273/.367/.504 with career–highs in home runs (19), RBI (75), and stolen bases (29).[8] In 2022, Butler spent the year with Lansing, hitting .270/.357/.468 with 11 home runs, 41 RBI, and 13 stolen bases.[9] On November 15, 2022, the Athletics added Butler to their40-man roster to protect him from theRule 5 draft.[10]
Butler was optioned to the Double-AMidland RockHounds to begin the 2023 season.[11] In 89 games split between Midland and the Triple–ALas Vegas Aviators, he batted a cumulative .284/.350/.475 with 15 home runs, 70 RBI, and 21 stolen bases.
On August 11, 2023, Butler was promoted to the major leagues for the first time.[12]
Butler started the 2024 season in the major leagues but struggled early and was demoted toTriple-A Las Vegas. He was called back up to the majors in June and rebounded, finishing with a .262 average in 125 games.
On March 6, 2025, Butler signed a seven-year, $65.5 million contract extension with the Athletics through 2031 with a club option for the 2032 season.[13]