1/31/22

Player Profile - Jose Butto

Jose Butto, Columbia Fireflies, 2019 Team Baseball Card

Background: 

Jose Butto, Starting Pitcher, Bats Right, Throws Right, DOB 3/19/1998 in Cumana, Venezuela; 6'1", 202 pounds; Signed by the New York Mets in June 2017 as an International Free Agent for $5,000. Added to Mets 40 Man Roster November 19, 2021.

A Top 25 Mets Prospect these past few years, Jose took things to a higher level in 2021.  After being promoted to AA Binghamton in July, he lowered his ERA by almost a run and a half.  At one point he went three outings, going 6 innings each, with no runs.  This earned him MiLB Pitcher of the Week for the Northeast League in August.  Overall his record in Binghamton, 3-2, 3.12 ERA, 8 games, 40.1 innings, 50 Ks;  An 11.16 K through 9 rate and a 29.9 K percentage.

He entered the Winter Rule 5 eligible, but his success in AA prompted his addition to the Mets 40 Man Roster, protecting him from that Draft.

Prospects Live: "Changeup: Low-80s changeup with great tunnel and depth. Changeup is a plus off-speed pitch with great depth and shape. Thrown low in the zone for plenty of whiffs. Dip in velocity from fastball creates good separation...Grade: 60...Butto's changeup is arguably the best in the Mets' system..."

From May 2020: MetsMinors.net: MMN Roundtable: Which Player is Primed For a Breakout Season? Ernest Dove’s choice was RHP Jose Butto saying: “My reports on him last season were that he was one of the most dangerous pitchers to face in the South Atlantic League. He has the confidence and determination to succeed. His teammates raved about his pitching and ability, feeling his off-speed arsenal will play at the higher levels.” 

Before the 2021 Season, FANGRAPHS ranked Jose as the #19 Mets Prospect.

Mack's Mets Tom Brennan recently had Jose as the #32 Mets Prospect.

Mets.com has him as their #14 Prospect.

Michael Mayer Metsmerized.com: #11 Prospect.

He is Amazing Avenue's #17 Prospect. 

Prospects 1500.com #13 Mets Prospect. "With his elite changeup and fastball, it could give him a relief pitcher opportunity with his ceiling getting higher if he really develops a breaking ball as a third pitch."

#12 on SNY's list. "He throws a mostly low 90s fastball that has touched 96 with the best change-up in the organization. He looks the part of a back-end starter who could potentially provide starting pitching depth sooner than later."

I think next year, lockout or no lockout, Syracuse may have a very stacked starting  rotation.  Because of that, Jose Butto could end up starting the year in Binghamton with an early callup to Syracuse.  Either way, already being on the 40 man roster, will make it very easy for Jose to come to Flushing.  However, being on the 40 man roster also means that he will be locked out should Spring Training only open for the Minor League players. 

Let's hope that does not happen.

Jose Butto’s Baseball Savant page. 

Jose Butto’s FANGRAPHS page.

Stats: 

Standard Pitching -


2021 Pitching Splits -



Videos and Audio:

Before each Binghamton Rumble Ponies game, Announcer Jacob Wilkins interviews the Rumble Pony players, coaches, and staff.  Below is an interview he did in 2021 with Jose Butto. 

For all of Jacob’s pregame interviews go here.  











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2 comments:

Tom Brennan said...

Again, in the video, Butto looked impressive. Excellent change, and his fastball seems to have good hop to it.

I find it disturbing that he gave up so many HRs while pitching for Brooklyn, but he seemed to tighten up in that area against tougher Binghamton hitters.

It seems that his key to a further quick ascent to the big leagues is for him to avoid the long ball and eliminate bad outings. His bad outings closely correlate with his outings where he gives up one or more HRs. Without analyzing it too much, I wonder if he surrenders a long ball and loses focus. Half his starts were very solid to dominant. Half were shaky to bad. To pitch for the Mets, he needs to alter that 1:1 ratio to about 4:1

I will assume he had rust coming out of 2020. This is a key year for him. I think he will succeed and arrive in Queens some time during 2022. He just needs to be aware that the big boppers lie in waiting in the majors.

January 31, 2022 at 1:06 PM
John From Albany said...

Lots of great points Tom. I think Jonathan Hurst did not get the credit he deserved as Rumble Ponies Pitching Coach. He is not on any Mets minor league team rosters right now. Hope he stayed in the organization.

January 31, 2022 at 9:11 PM

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