Joey Butler

Joseph Frank Butler (born March 12, 1986) is an American former professional baseball designated hitter and left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Tampa Bay Rays, and St. Louis Cardinals, and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Orix Buffaloes.

Joey Butler
Butler with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014
Designated hitter / Left fielder
Born: (1986-03-12) March 12, 1986
Pascagoula, Mississippi
Batted: Right Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: August 7, 2013, for the Texas Rangers
NPB: July 1, 2014, for the Orix Buffaloes
Last appearance
MLB: October 4, 2015, for the Tampa Bay Rays
NPB: 2014, for the Orix Buffaloes
MLB statistics
Batting average.274
Hits75
Home runs8
Runs batted in31
NPB statistics
Batting average.231
Hits12
Home runs2
Runs batted in6
Teams

Background

Born and raised in Pascagoula, Mississippi, Butler attended Pascagoula High School. For the Pascagoula Panthers, Butler played baseball, football, and basketball.[1] A standout athlete, Butler later attended Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College before transferring to the University of New Orleans. At New Orleans, Butler was teammates with Johnny Giavotella, and the school made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.[2] In his two seasons at New Orleans, Butler had a batting line of .342/.403/.541 in 119 games.[3]

Career

Texas Rangers

Butler was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft, as a right fielder.[4] Despite hitting exceptionally well in college, scouts were concerned with Butler's defensive abilities.[5]

The Rangers called Butler up to the majors for the first time on August 5, 2013.[6] Butler was optioned back to the Triple-A Round Rock Express on August 10 to make room for Alex Ríos. He was recalled on September 3 when major league rosters expanded, and designated for assignment on September 30.[7]

St. Louis Cardinals

He was claimed off waivers by the St. Louis Cardinals on October 3, 2013.[8]

He made his Cardinals' debut on May 10, 2014, after getting called up on May 9. He struck out, pinch-hitting in the seventh inning at Pittsburgh.

Orix Buffaloes
Butler batting for the Orix Buffaloes in 2014

He was given his outright release by the Cardinals, and his contract purchased by the Orix Buffaloes of the Nippon Professional Baseball League of Japan on May 23, 2014.[9] In 21 games as a right fielder for the Buffaloes, Butler hit .231 with two home runs and six RBIs.[10]

Tampa Bay Rays

On January 10, 2015 Butler signed a minor league deal with the Tampa Bay Rays. He hit his first MLB home run, May 4 against the Boston Red Sox.[11] On July 1, he broke up Carlos Carrasco’s 8 2/3 innings and two-strike long no-hitter with a single.

Cleveland Indians

Butler was claimed off waivers by the Cleveland Indians on December 7, 2015. After failing to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, Butler was optioned to the AAA Columbus Clippers. Butler was designated for assignment on July 31, 2016 to make room on the 40-man roster for Andrew Miller.

Butler elected free agency on October 3, 2016.

Washington Nationals

On February 10, 2017, Butler signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals.[12] He elected free agency on November 6, 2017.

Personal life

Butler is married and has two children, a daughter and a son.[13]

References
  1. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-tales-joey-butlers-long-journey-to-prove-himself/2235337
  2. http://www.nola.com/uno/index.ssf/2013/08/former_uno_star_joey_butler_ge.html
  3. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/6/18/8799753/who-is-rays-rookie-joey-butler
  4. Wills, Todd (October 3, 2013). "Cardinals claim Butler from Rangers". ESPNDallas.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  5. http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/6/18/8799753/who-is-rays-rookie-joey-butler
  6. Texas Rangers add Joey Butler, designate Adam Rosales for assignment
  7. Grant, Evan (September 30, 2013). "Texas Rangers to hit Nelson Cruz sixth as DH; Joey Butler designated for assignment". Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on September 30, 2013. Retrieved September 30, 2013.
  8. Wills, Todd (October 3, 2013). "Cardinals claim Butler from Rangers". ESPNDallas.com. Retrieved October 3, 2013.
  9. "Off Cards' 40-man roster, Butler heads to Japan". MLB.com. May 23, 2014.
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/japan/player.cgi?id=butler001joe
  11. Eddy, Matt (January 11, 2015). "Minor League Transactions: Dec. 24-Jan. 8". Baseball America.
  12. Todd, Jeff (February 10, 2017). "Minor MLB Transactions: 2/10/17". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved February 11, 2017.
  13. http://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-tales-joey-butlers-long-journey-to-prove-himself/2235337
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