Is Lawrence Butler the next big thing for the A's?

A key turning point in Butler’s rise came midseason thanks to a crucial adjustment. 

According to MLB.com’s Martin Gallegos, Butler’s success can be directly linked to advice from A’s director of hitting Darren Bush during a June series in Arizona. Bush recommended reducing Butler’s head movement to improve pitch recognition. 

The results were immediate and game-changing. Butler torched Diamondbacks pitching in that series, launching a pair of homers and beginning a surge that solidified his role as a cornerstone player.

Manager Mark Kotsay has been one of Butler’s biggest advocates, acknowledging both his rapid growth and untapped potential. 

“If there's consistency throughout the season, he's putting up numbers that you would think a ceiling could be 40 home runs. And I don’t even want to cap it there,” Kotsay told Jason Burke of Sports Illustrated last September. “He’s so young, and the tools and the talent are coming together.”

Comparisons to division-rival Seattle Mariners superstar Julio Rodríguez might seem ambitious, but Baseball Savant highlights striking similarities that make them hard to ignore. 

While Rodríguez is a superior defender, Butler’s offensive upside holds its own. In 2024, Butler posted a higher OPS and more home runs than Rodríguez despite playing 18 fewer games. 

If Butler continues this trajectory, he could become the A’s answer to Seattle’s standout.

Surrounding Butler is a quietly improving core. Designated hitter Brent Rooker, who finished 10th in AL MVP voting, and fireballer Mason Miller, the team’s lone All-Star and fourth-place finisher in AL Rookie of the Year voting, give the Athletics something solid to build on. 

The front office also signaled a willingness to compete by signing veteran starter Luis Severino to a three-year, $67 million deal—the largest contract in franchise history. Severino’s addition brings experience and credibility to a young roster trying to find its footing.

Even with all the off-field drama, the A’s finished 2024 on a 39-37 run over their final 76 games. For a franchise that has been written off by many, Butler’s bat represents more than just individual success; it’s the spark that could reignite this team. 

If he keeps mashing, Butler has the potential to transform the Athletics from an afterthought to a playoff contender.

Butler doesn’t just crush pitches—he crushes doubts. For A’s fans adjusting to the upheaval of relocation to Sacramento, his rise feels like a lifeline.

His growth won’t erase the chaos off the field, but it could turn heartbreak into hope. For the Athletics, that might be the biggest win of all.