Lawrence Butler (baseball)

Lawrence Evan Butler (born July 10, 2000)^[1] is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2023.

Lawrence Butler
Butler with the Lansing 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 2024 season)
Batting average	.250
Home runs	26
Runs batted in	67
Stats at Baseball Reference
Teams
Oakland Athletics (2023–present)

Career

Butler was born in Burlington, New Jersey.^[2] He attended Westlake High School in Atlanta, Georgia,^[3] and played in a league and team founded by Marquis Grissom, alongside Michael Harris II.^[4]

Butler was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the sixth round, with the 173rd overall selection, of the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft.^[5] Butler made his professional debut that year with the rookie–level Arizona League Athletics, hitting .226 in 46 games. Butler spent the 2019 season with the Low–A Vermont 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 the Minor League Baseball season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.^[7] He returned to action in 2021, playing for the Single–A Stockton Ports and High–A Lansing 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 their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 draft.^[10]

Butler was optioned to the Double-A Midland RockHounds to begin the 2023 season.^[11] In 89 games split between Midland and the Triple–A Las 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]

References

1. Kroner, Steve (August 20, 2023). "A's Lawrence Butler on breaking into majors: 'Everything they tell you it is'". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
2. "Lawrence Butler Career Stats - MLB". ESPN. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
3. Gallegos, Martin (February 21, 2024). "After 'eventful offseason,' Butler aims to help A's improve". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
4. Bowman, Mark (August 16, 2024). "How Marquis Grissom has shaped Harris' career". MLB.com. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
5. "A's prospect Lawrence Butler is ready to build on his breakout 2021 season: 'Really show them who I am'".
6. "Lawrence Butler - Baseball Stats - The Baseball Cube". TheBaseballCube.com. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
7. "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
8. "Athletics Masher Lawrence Butler Showed off Improved Skill in 2021".
9. "Lawrence Butler Stats & Scouting Report". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
10. "A's Select Lawrence Butler, Hogan Harris". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved November 24, 2023.
11. "A's announce 10 roster moves". mlb.com. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
12. "Athletics' Lawrence Butler: Headed to majors". cbssports.com. Retrieved August 11, 2023.

External links

• Career statistics from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)