Royals roundup: Love for Billy Butler (and Allard Baird)

Royals first baseman Billy Butler ranks among the league leaders in batting average. It’s a pretty remarkable feat for a guy who looks as though he receives regular custard injections. Lugging that weight out of the batter’s box, Bam Bam just doesn’t beat out many ground balls.

The Royals drafted Butler in 2004, after he completed his senior year of high school. It’s a choice that Allard Baird, the Royals G.M. from 2000 to ’06, can look back upon with pride.

The Royals had the 14th overall pick in ’04. Pitchers Justin Verlander, Homer Bailey and Jered Weaver were off the board by the time the Royals were on the clock. Baird was further constrained by his owner’s tight fist. The G.M. was under orders to select a player who would accept a signing bonus commensurate with a lower draft position.