• Full name Andrew Edward Butera
  • Born 08/09/1983 in Evansville, IN
  • Profile Ht.: 6'1" / Wt.: 212 / Bats: R / Throws: R
  • School Central Florida
  • Debut 04/09/2010
  • Drafted in the 5th round (149th overall) by the New York Mets in 2005 (signed for $175,000).
    View Draft Report
    Butera is one of several Central Florida players with famous fathers. Outfielder Dee Brown, who should be a decent senior sign, is the son of former NFL defensive lineman Jerome, and infielder Chandler Rose's father is an NFL referee. Butera is following in his dad's footsteps; his father Sal spent parts of nine seasons in the big leagues in a career that ended in 1988. Sal was known for his defense, and so is his son. While Drew has just average arm strength, he has a quick transfer and one of the most accurate arms in the nation. He threw out 28 of the 58 runners who tried to steal on him this season and helped nurse along a pitching staff decimated by injuries. His catch-and-throw skills should get him to the big leagues as a reserve at the least. While Butera showed some offensive aptitude this season--he set career highs in every category that matters, from walks to batting to home runs--he still has below-average bat speed. His best-case scenario offensively is a .250 hitter with 10 homers, but that would make him a big league starter because his defense is that good.

Best Tools List

  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the International League in 2009
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the Eastern League in 2008
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the New York Mets in 2007
  • Rated Best Defensive Catcher in the New York Mets in 2006

Download our app

Read the newest magazine issue right on your phone