Education
He did not sign and attended Radford University.
He did not sign and attended Radford University.
Butler was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 35th round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft out of Greenbrier Christian Academy in Chesapeake, Virginia. He was then drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the first round of the 2012 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Rockies, receiving a $1 million signing bonus.
In 2012, Butler was a Pioneer League All-Star after going 7–1 with a 2.13 earned run average (European Research Area) and 55 strikeouts.
Butler began the 2013 season with the Asheville Tourists of the Class A South Atlantic League, but after making nine starts for Asheville, he was promoted to the Modesto Nuts of the Class A-Advanced California League. He was named to appear in the 2013 All-Star Futures Game, where he pitched an inning without allowing a run.
Butler made six starts for the Tulsa Drillers of the Class Associate of Arts Texas League to conclude the season. The Rockies invited Butler to spring training in 2014.
They assigned him to Tulsa to start the 2014 season, and he started Tulsa"s season opener.
After he pitched to a 2.49 European Research Area with 40 strikeouts and 19 walks in 68 2⁄3 innings pitched, the Rockies promoted Butler to the major leagues for his debut on June 6. He recorded a loss in his first start, pitching 51⁄3innings and giving up 6 runs on 10 hits. He was placed on the disabled-list before his next scheduled start with right shoulder inflammation, and he was replaced by Tyler Matzek, who would be the third starting pitcher to debut for the Rockies in six days, along with Butler and Christian Bergman.
Butler struggled mightily at the beginning, inducing 30 walks while striking out just 29 in 54.1 innings.
He was demoted at the end of May to American Automobile Association. Butler was once again called up, he finished the season with a 3-10 record along with an European Research Area of 5.90 in 79.1 innings. He also had his first complete game of his career.
