A’s Butler valuing MLB success after initial learning curve

A’s Butler valuing MLB success after initial learning curve originally appeared in NBC Sports Bay Area

ANAHEIM – Lawrence Butler is the guy for Athletics now.

Since being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas on June 18, the 24-year-old outfielder has been on a roll for Oakland, batting .412 in July after entering the month below the Mendoza Line.

Now with a .257 batting average on the season and his name generating serious buzz for AL Player of the Month consideration, Butler is finding his feet, embracing the moment and reflecting on the work that got him here.

“You know, it’s kind of crazy to see myself progress from my first major league game to [almost] a full year in the big leagues,” Butler told NBC Sports California on Friday. “So, it’s really cool. I’m happy about it and I finally got some service time; the vets can leave me alone for a little bit. But yeah, it’s really cool.”

Service time was hard to earn for right-handers.

After being selected with the No. 173 pick in the 2018 draft, Butler would make his MLB debut five years later on August 11. He would slash just .211/.240/.341 over his first 42 games.

Getting on base — and staying in the lineup — at the big league level was a challenge for Butler, but a solid spring earned him his first spot on Oakland’s 2024 Opening Day roster.

Still, their same struggles persisted, resulting in a demotion back to Triple-A Las Vegas on May 14.

This summer, however, was a time of application. Everything has changed for Butler since he was recalled nearly a month after receiving a tough layoff.

“It’s all about trusting the process,” Butler said. “Baseball is full of ups and downs. Just because you’re struggling, you can’t think about it [or] let it consume you. You just have to take it day by day and think of each day as ‘This could be the start of a crazy ride,’ like I’m doing right now.

“Every day, I come to the stadium ready to work with the confidence and preparation that I will return a good shift.”

Since then, Butler has made every game count.

In July, the right-handed hitter posted a .467 on-base percentage with 28 hits, 26 RBI, nine home runs, three stolen bases and 17 extra-base hits.

For Butler, his recent advances mean everything. Seeing positive feedback and enthusiasm on their social media feeds was also an otherworldly experience. But both aspects of his life serve as reminders of the people who helped him get to this point, especially after some dark times.

“This is surreal,” Butler said of his new accolade. “This is a dream come true. This is an achievement. Do you dream as a child [about] winning the World Series and really just producing in the league. It’s a feeling I’ll probably never achieve.

“Everyone – staff, family, friends – everyone always talked to me and had great things to say about me. [They] I kept my head up, trying to stay confident. I really appreciate them all. Everyone came, spoke to me, said some things about me, even when I was feeling bad. So I thank all of them for that.”

Oakland is also hot. The A’s 18-3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies before the 2024 MLB All-Star break sparked a 6-2 run, and Oakland’s offense led baseball in virtually every offensive category in July.

Butler made a point of giving credit to his teammates, in addition to himself, for the A’s recent success. But he also made clear that Oakland is finally seeing itself as a unit, specifically as a rebuilding team rooted in youth and blueprint.

“I know I’m playing really well too, but you’ve got Brent Rooker there adding [and] Max Schumann, [too],” explained Butler. “The whole team is putting everything together right now. The pitching has been good and our defense is playing well.

“I feel like this is the turning point for the reconstruction phase. You kind of have a few years where things might not go so well. But, I mean, eventually, the guys you trust are going to come together and make things work. It’s all about trusting the process.”

Butler is feeling good, as are the A’s.

While there is still plenty of baseball to be played, Oakland is heating up just before the July 30 trade deadline, where big decisions are sure to come up.

No one knows how general manager David Forst and the A’s will approach the trade season. Butler, at least, is proving to be someone Oakland should build around for years.