Billy Butler has been absolutely abysmal to this point in 2014.  It took a five game hitting streak that came to an end last night just for Butler to get his batting average to the Mendoza line.  Despite never being a great source of power Butler has at least been a player to bat for a high average and drive in plenty of runs.  Butler has only hit twenty or more homeruns twice in his career, but has batted over .300 three times and drove in 90 or more runs three times including a career high 107 in 2012.

At 28 years old Butler is in the middle of his prime so such a major regression at this point in his career seems unlikely. One bad sign though is his inability to even drive the ball into the gaps for extra base hits.  Of Butlers 13 hits this year only one has gone for extra bases which is his lone double on the year.  Due to his inability to drive the ball Butler has a paltry five RBI which is certainly not want you are looking for out of a batter who is the cleanup hitter.  

Butler has generally been a slow start in the first two months of the season throughout his career.  Last season Butler batted .257 and .265 in April and May before batting .323 in June.  Post all star break Butler hit .310 showing that he is a second half kind of player.  As long as you can stomach this overly disappointing first month Butler should prove himself to beneficiary in the long run. 

It’s not yet time to drop Butler, for now you should keep him on your bench until he can turn things around.  Someone who has had as much success throughout his career and is in the middle of his prime should be able to turn things around.  You don’t want to be that guy who drops a proven player in his prime because of a slow start.  Things will eventually turn around for Butler and when they do you will be glad you kept him and didn’t subject him to the waiver wire.  Keep an eye on Butler and once he begins hitting the ball it should be safe to slot him into your lineup on a daily basis.