ST. PETERSBURG -- Joey Butler? Rays manager Kevin Cash has fielded that question many times this season, so he chuckled before answering. "Joey can hit. Write it."
Yes, the 29-year-old rookie continues to reaffirm what Cash has been saying since early in Spring Training. Butler takes a team-leading .327 average with six home runs and 20 RBIs into Thursday's off-day. Despite his age and baseball pedigree, Butler has inserted himself into the American League Rookie of the Year Award race.
Hard work in Minor Leagues paid off for previously under-the-radar players
As always, the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game will feature many of baseball's most exciting Minor League talents.