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News spread through the social media universe like wildfire on Tuesday. News that Rockies pitching prospect Eddie Butler was being called up to make his major league debut in Coors Field later in the week. Thomas Harding of MLB.com broke the story with the following tweet:
Sources tell http://t.co/69U30ffimD that RHP Eddie Butler will be called up from @tulsadrillers and make his Major League debut Fri. vs. LAD
— Thomas Harding (@harding_at_mlb) June 4, 2014
The news was then picked up by national reporters in the MLB realm and the cat was soon out of the bag.
Eddie Butler moving into the rotation, as Nick Groke writes. http://t.co/juviWjAzII
— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) June 4, 2014
Heartily endorse! RT @mlbtraderumors Rockies To Promote Eddie Butler http://t.co/6LaRJNGSof
— Ben Badler (@BenBadler) June 4, 2014
Eddie Butler will be the first Grand Junction Rockies alum to make it to the big leagues, not counting injury stints like Todd Helton had in 2012. To put that in perspective, there hasn't even been a member of the now defunct Casper Ghost to make the majors since Corey Dickerson, who played for the Short-season team back in 2010.
Grand Junction Rockies radio announcer Adam Spolane shared his favorite memories of the hard-throwing right-hander:
Fav Butler memory #1: Before his start in Great Falls, he was sitting on the slide in the kids playground reading a book
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 4, 2014
Fav Butler memory #2: Sat in the bullpen during gm 3 of our playoff series in OGD after starting gm 1 hoping Tony and Kib would put him in
— Adam Spolane (@AdamSpolane) June 4, 2014
Personally, my favorite memories of the Radford alum were from a game in Orem as he was charting a game for the recently promoted Jayson Aquino. We were talking about his lack of strikeouts, and he gave me a little insight into his pitching mentality.
"I try and get guys out as quickly as possible. Strikeouts cause a lot of wear and tear on the arm and I want to work efficiently," said Butler between a pair of Aquino changeups.
It was an insight into the humility of the redhead and how Eddie's always been more about success over achievements. His statement reinforced the feeling I have always had when talking to him, that his baseball IQ is just off the charts.
Baseball success is what a lot of people will be speculating on as Butler prepares to toe the mound at a mile high for the first time. Fantasy baseball enthusiasts were quick to ask if Eddie was worth picking up in fantasy leagues and the responses ranged from tempered, such as Fake Teams suggesting holding off on picking him up until after he faces the Dodgers in Coors Field.
Then Matt Foreman of Roto World Fantasy Sports had this to say about the rookie pitcher:
IMHO Eddie Butler is absolutely worth a stream, and could be a solid own for the rest of the year. Absolute own for keeper/dynasty leagues.
— Matt Foreman (@HypeProspect) June 4, 2014
It's tough to gauge how Butler will perform once he pitches in Coors Field for the first time, facing major league hitters like Yasiel Puig. One thing is for certain, and that is electricity will be in the air as a highly touted prospect makes his Rockies debut.
Here are Eddie Butler's own words concerning his promotion:
"I have worked very hard to get to this point and I am excited for this opportunity. <1/2>
— Rockies PR (@RockiesPR) June 4, 2014
"I really just want to do whatever I can to help the team win. It's a very talented team and I feel honored to be joining the club." <2/2>
— Rockies PR (@RockiesPR) June 4, 2014