Lawrence Butler recorded his second three-homer game of the season (July 14 against the Philadelphia Phillies). Butler is the second Oakland Athletics player with a pair of three home run games in a season. He joins Geronimo Berroa, who did it in 1996. While the A’s offense isn’t particularly impressive, Butler has done well in the leadoff role against right-handed pitchers. Despite this, he is quietly making a strong case to be in contention for the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
Athletics Outfielder Making A Strong Case For Rookie Of The Year
Lawrence Butler’s Case For Rookie Of The Year
For most of the season, Wyatt Langford of the Texas Rangers or Colton Cowser of the Baltimore Orioles may have been the favorite to win the award. However, on Thursday night, Butler launched 3 home runs for the second time this season. Despite another bad season for the Athletics, Oakland has seen a sudden wave of young players thrive this season. Butler also launched 3 home runs against the Philadelphia Phillies the day before the All-Star break.
Along with Zack Gelof, Seth Brown, and Brent Rooker, Butler has been a pleasant surprise with his power. Butler has managed 19 home runs with a .254 average but has also done this in only 100 games. His main opponent, Colton Cowser, has hit 20 home runs but has done this in 127 games and has managed a lower .247 average than Butler. In March, April, May, and June, Butler managed to hit just 2 home runs but has since exploded. In July and August, Butler has somehow hit 17 home runs and has led the Athletics to many victories.
Butler’s Surge Does Not Only Include Power
Although Butler’s power may be the most intriguing thing about him in the last two months, Butler had his average below .200 all the way until July 7. Butler was able to raise his average dramatically with a monster month of July, where he hit 10 home runs and had a nightmarish .369 average. His average, which now sits at .255, has been higher than any other ROY candidate; Cowser, Langford, and even Austin Wells have a lower average than Butler. Butler has consistently managed his average after an abysmal start to his season, adding another achievement to the list he has done this season.
With a good end to his so far great season, Butler may be able to achieve the Rookie of The Year. Last season, Henderson of the Orioles achieved the Rookie of The Year with 28 home runs in 150 games, along with a .255 average and 82 runs driven in. It is not impossible for Butler, who continues to hit for power, to reach numbers similar to Henderson with a strong month of September. Butler has hit seven home runs in August, and a strong September could clinch the reward for Butler.
Butler Can Rival His Opponents
As for Butler’s most prominent opponent, it remains to be Cowser, who is putting up great numbers. Cowser has added to a great core of young players, such as the AL Rookie of The Year last year Gunnar Henderson. Cowser however has not put up numbers that would outdo Butler in any category. Butler may still be able to beat the competition, and even if Cowser ends the season with more home runs and RBIs, Butlers deserve serious consideration for the award.
Butler has broken out into a valuable star for the Athletics this season and deserves all the Rookie of The Year consideration he can get. With a strong end to the season, Butler may be able to secure the title.
Main Photo Credits: Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK
