Despite Chatter About Butler's Lack of Power, Opponents Still Showing Him Respect

Billy Butler's relative lack of power has become a simmering topic this summer, with a number of Royals fans and talkers showing increasing frustration with the DH's lack of a traditional slugging profile. Although Butler has 24 doubles this season, his six home runs is not an impressive total, and his slugging percentage is just .409. And, because it still matters to people, he has just 39 RBIs.

The debate around Butler is a larger topic, and a fascinating one. However, for the purposes of this post, I'd merely like to point out that opposing teams still view Butler as a dangerous hitter.

Butler has been intentionally walked 10 times this season, which is already a career high, and is the 4th most in the American League. Opposing managers still believe Butler can hurt them with an extra-base hit, so much so that they've been willing to concede him a walk to avoid that risk. It's not a huge thing, certainly, but it tells us something.

Now, there was a bit of a meme early in the season that Butler was being walked all the time because of Kila and his horribleness. That's partially true, but not quite. Of Butler's 10 IBBs, four came with Kila hitting behind him. However, Butler's also been IBBed twice so the pitcher can get to Dayton Moore Approved Stud Hitters Eric Hosmer and Mike Moustakas, respectively, as well. If you are curious, there was also a Francoeur and Betemit episode in there as well.

By month, the IBB totals go like this: April - 5, May - 2, June -1, July 2.