Kansas City Royals: Every First Round Pick Since 2000
Every Royals first-round draft pick since 2000: Billy Butler (2004)
In 2004, the Kansas City Royals picked up a third baseman in the first round (14th overall) by the name of Billy Butler. Butler was taking swings in the big leagues by 2007 and was the perfect option to slot in at the designated hitter position.
That 2007 season saw Butler slash .292/.347/.447 in 92 games and hit eight home runs, but Butler steadily improved over the years. The following season his batting average went down, but he hit more home runs, which is what the Royals wanted from him.
Butler’s best season came in 2012 when the designated hitter slashed .313/.373/.510 with 29 home runs and 107 RBI. That year was Butler’s lone All-Star appearance and presented us with the ever so wonderful “Boo Cano” moment.
For those of you who don’t remember, the All-Star Game was held in Kansas City that summer and Robinson Cano jilted Butler out of a spot on the home run derby team. When Cano went up for his turn, Royals fans booed him relentlessly and then would cheer whenever he got an out. It was hilarious and is still one of my favorite Royals memories to this day.
That was Butler’s last great season and by his final season with the Royals in 2014 (the year they went to the World Series), he was really struggling at the dish. He only popped nine home runs that year and by the end of the season, fans had come to terms with the fact that ol’ Country Breakfast wouldn’t be a member of the Royals anymore.
Butler signed a three-year deal with Oakland and flamed out there. He spent a few weeks with the Yankees in 2016 and is currently out of the league. In eight seasons in Kansas City, Butler’s career slash line with the Royals was .295/.359/.449 with 127 home runs and 628 RBI. He even legged out four triples!
Billy Butler was a fan favorite when he was with the KC Royals. Everyone enjoyed his “Rally Sauce” and when he actually stole a base during the ALDS in 2014. Butler was beloved in Kansas City and the only thing that sucked about the 2015 World Series was that Butler wasn’t apart of it. He really deserved a ring with this team after playing for them in all of the bad times.
Billy never did find another team to play for, but Royals fans will always appreciate him.