Cam Butler

Butler emerged from relative obscurity to become one of the draft’s biggest pop-up prospects this spring. Despite playing poor competition at a tiny high school in a remote locale, Butler’s tools and athleticism were prolific enough to send high-level decision-makers rushing in to see him before the season ended. Butler has a strong, athletic frame at 6 feet, 185 pounds and a well-rounded skill set on both sides of the ball. Though his swing is a touch stiff, he has plenty of bat speed and the strength to project for plus raw power at maturity. He hit home runs this spring that cleared the pine trees beyond the left-field fence at his home field and landed in a nearby parking lot. Butler has some crudeness to his game and will swing and miss, but he keeps improving and optimistic evaluators see the tools to project him becoming an average hitter with above-average power. Butler is an impressive athlete who makes Derek Jeter-esque backhanded plays and jump throws from shortstop. He is a plus runner who is light on his feet and has the plus arm strength to make throws from anywhere on the field. Butler isn’t particularly polished and may move to second base or center field at the higher levels, but he is athletic enough to stand in at shortstop and provide defensive versatility up the middle. Butler has rarely faced good competition and requires a lot of projection, but his strength and athleticism have teams interested. He draws high marks for his work ethic and has the makeup to get the most from his natural ability. He is committed to Cal Poly.