The Oakland Athletics are currently mired in one of the franchise’s worst seasons ever. At 44-99 the team is on pace to have its worst season since 1916 when they finished an abysmal 36-1117.
So why is everybody so damn optimistic?
While, things have looked bleak this season, there is light at the end of the tunnel. The club’s young, talented farm system is beginning to bear fruits and live up to their highly-touted billing. Second baseman Zach Gelof was recently named American League Rookie of the Month after his mid-July call up.
Now, talented outfielder MLBbro Lawrence Butler, a sixth-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, is showing flashes of what made him a coveted draft pick out of high school. Butler and Gelof represent a change in the talent in and around the Athletics franchise. In Butler’s case, since his arrival to the majors in mid-August, he’s flashed some power from his 6-foot-3 and 215-pound frame. The dynamic Butler has already hit four homers.
Butler Says Future Is Bright For Club
In a 6-5 extra-innings loss to the Toronto Blue Jays last week, Butler smashed two Bro bombs, the A’s got a total of four deep shots from rookies.
Following the tough loss, Butler told reporters this about the team’s future.
“The As have a really bright future,” Butler said. “People might think of us a laughingstock of the league this year, but next year is gonna be a whole different story.”
Butler, the Athletics No.4 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, also relished in his big moment. Both homers came off of All-Star pitchers, not bad for a rookie.
“That’s another thing you dream about as a kid, hitting two home runs in the big leagues,” Butler said. “To do it twice against some really good pitchers, that’s pretty cool.”
Butler also brings a nice speed element to a lineup in desperate need of it. His all-around game shares similar five-tool attributes to other young MLBbros from the Atlanta area that have recently bumrushed the league, from Washington National shortstop CJ Abrams to St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker.
LB’s confidence and belief in he and his team is also something manager Mark Kotsay is also already seeing a positive. In many ways Butler’s unique and strong personality has brought the team together since his arrival.
A’s Future Home In Limbo?
With the uncertainty of where they’ll call home beyond the 2024 season, the Athletics franchise is just trying to rekindle the glory days of yesteryear. That’s when Tony LaRussa led a team with great like Dave Stewart, Dennis Eckersley, Jose Canseco and Mark McGwire to the World Series three straight season (1988-90) winning it all in 1989.
They’ve had some other moments since then as well, but the 20-game winning streak in 2002, stands out for sure. Butler is a cornerstone piece in a new A’s movement. He’s confident that the losing culture is already a thing of the past.
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