Dan Butler, Stealth Catcher

[Dojji]

BBR
Soxprospects

How exactly is it that we have a catcher in AAA, 26 years old, hitting to an .850 OPS, as near as I can tell his defense is solid or better in all aspects, even has the kind of strikeout to walk ratio and OBP strength the team likes in a catcher -- and no one's heard of the guy? The only reason I looked this kid up is that I didn't want to let my manlove for Christian Vazquez' arm blind me to other backup catching options so I did a little groundwork to see what else we had in other obvious potential backup catcher positions -- and there's the starting catcher for the Pawtucket Red Sox hitting like a champ and no one said a word to me about him.

All the numbers I have access to tell me that this kid could backup or even platoon for a big league team right now, heck there's a few teams he'd be starting for. Would probably be up with us if our catching options weren't already so crowded, and yet he's getting no attention -- at all.

Am I overreacting? Maybe a little. But this might be a hidden gem, and you know how I can be about them. What's the thought of some of the rest of the forum on this guy? How many had even heard of him?

[BigPapi]

Well lav certainly had a good game today but I just looked up dan butlers stats and was wowed. 12 hrs, 270 average, 16 doubles, 854 OPS?? HOW HAS HE NOT BEEN MENTIONED AT ALL BY ANYONE ON NESN.

[rjortiz]

Well lav certainly had a good game today but I just looked up dan butlers stats and was wowed. 12 hrs, 270 average, 16 doubles, 854 OPS?? HOW HAS HE NOT BEEN MENTIONED AT ALL BY ANYONE ON NESN.

Because he's 26 and in AAA ball.

[marklmw]

The word is out ... run on the Red Sox. Pitchers are partially responsible but the catcher is the QB and he can see when a toss over is necessary. It would be awesome to have a catcher that can occasionally throw someone out.

[Dojji]

Because he's 26 and in AAA ball.

That's not a good excuse with catchers. If he was a shortstop the age thing might be an issue, but it's a known fact that catchers take longer to mature.

What age was Tek when he started really performing? How well did Salty do between ages 21 and 25? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. 26 isn't old for a catcher.

Thing is with Butler, he doesn't need to do everything he's showing he can do now to stick in the bigs at some point. While the above average bat might be a mirage he's also shown above average defense. That and an average, or even a below average, bat would play in the big leagues.

And what happens if the above avearge bat is NOT a miarge? This kid could start for someone.

This guy should be someone's backup catcher right now. He's really been overshadowed by 3 different catchers in our system (Lavs, Salty, and to a lesser extent Vazquez with his impressive Spring) but he's probably big league ready or close to it. He's the catching version of Daniel Nava -- older, yes, but give him a chance and he might surprise you yet.

[rjortiz]

That's not a good excuse with catchers. If he was a shortstop the age thing might be an issue, but it's a known fact that catchers take longer to mature.

What age was Tek when he started really performing? How well did Salty do between ages 21 and 25? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about. 26 isn't old for a catcher.

Thing is with Butler, he doesn't need to do everything he's showing he can do now to stick in the bigs at some point. While the above average bat might be a mirage he's also shown above average defense. That and an average, or even a below average, bat would play in the big leagues.

And what happens if the above avearge bat is NOT a miarge? This kid could start for someone.

This guy should be someone's backup catcher right now. He's really been overshadowed by 3 different catchers in our system (Lavs, Salty, and to a lesser extent Vazquez with his impressive Spring) but he's probably big league ready or close to it. He's the catching version of Daniel Nava -- older, yes, but give him a chance and he might surprise you yet.

When players are repeating a level at 26, and then suddenly start tearing up the league, I think age becomes a valid concern. He could develop into a nice backup catcher, but I don't really see that as something to get too excited about.

[Dojji]

This is Dan Butler's first full year at AAA. He played 22 games there last year. If that's "repeating a level" then a lot of prospects that made good repeated a level or two.

Actually thanks for making me look that up and confirm it. I was under the impression that he WAS coming off a full prior season in AAA. The fact that he isn't makes this all the more interesting.

I'm not trying to say this kid is the next Johnny Bench, but there's some reasons to be interested in this guy and we've heard nothing.

Really kind of hoping he gets into a game or two this September, just to get some idea of what we have there. Most likely a decent backup, but he wouldn't be the first catching prospect to break out in his late 20's -- not by a longshot.

[rjortiz]

This is Dan Butler's first full year at AAA. He played 22 games there last year. If that's "repeating a level" then a lot of prospects that made good repeated a level or two.

Actually thanks for making me look that up and confirm it. I was under the impression that he WAS coming off a full prior season in AAA. The fact that he isn't makes this all the more interesting.

I'm not trying to say this kid is the next Johnny Bench, but there's some reasons to be interested in this guy and we've heard nothing.

Really kind of hoping he gets into a game or two this September, just to get some idea of what we have there. Most likely a decent backup, but he wouldn't be the first catching prospect to break out in his late 20's -- not by a longshot.

My mistake. Definitely improves his stock. Did some more research after reading this post. I read that he's a superior defender than Lavarnway, and probably isn't much worse with the bat. Maybe they should have brought him up over Lavarnway. I'd like to see him get some playing time over him in September, although with Ross due back soon, I don't think we will.

[lospunchados]

Yeah I am glad someone brought him up as i was wondering what his deal was as i haven't heard anything about him at all.

[Dojji]

Yeah I am glad someone brought him up as i was wondering what his deal was as i haven't heard anything about him at all.

It's mystifying. Even with other catchers and catching prospects hogging the limelight (Salty, Lavs, Vazquez, Swihart) you'd think he'd get some notice for hitting at the clip he's doing.

[Dojji]

Butler's final line in Pawtucket this year:

.829 OPS, .350. 14 HR, 23 XBH, .262 AVG

Not called up to Boston for September. That's his end of year line.

The average is noticeably low, but the combined package is still interesting. This is a kid who's done pretty much everything the team should expect of him. I really hope he isn't squeezed out by the wave of catching talent coming up behind him -- hope a spot is made open for him to compete for this Spring. If the team insists on a veteran backup in the big leagues he's going to have a real dogfight on his hands trying to fend off Lavarnway from one direction and Vazquez and possibly Swihart from the other.

[Dojji]

The real problem for butler is that the guys he's going to wind up competing directly with for big league backup time also did well.

Vazquez didn't hit for any real power, but finished with a .380 OBP. That with his outstanding defensive skills is enough to merit consideration, and as a specialist type, he's a player the team is going to identify as a useful roleplayer that much more easily.

And of course, the team is far more familiar with Lavarnway as well, and he's flashed some real offensive potential this year.

Butler's problem is that as the jack of all trades, he's the master of none. if the team want offense from their backup they'll go with lavs, if they want Defense, it'll be hard to ignore Vazquez. butler doesn't stand out in either area despite being the best all-rounder, and that's going to hurt him.

[SCM33]

Not again......

[mvp 78]

Not again......

Dojji is TS's Sisyphus.

[Dojji]

I'll cop to the label, if you'll admit that occasionally, very occasionally, the stone reaches the top of the hill.