The way the 2015 season went for Billy Butler, it was almost as if he’d played his first season in Oakland in slow motion.
He’s picking up the pace in 2016, and you don’t have to take his word for it. You could look at his spring batting average, .342. Or you could talk to some of the scouts that have seen him take his hacks in the Cactus League.
“Butler’s bat speed is much better this year than last year,’’ one American League scout said. “It’s up significantly, more like it was when he was with the Royals.