Few draft eligible players have risen up as quickly and as far as the University of San Diego’s Josh Butler, who entered the season as a possible third to fifth round pick come June, but is now being considered in the middle of the first round. I spoke with Josh about some of the things he has done to prepare himself for his junior season, the success of the San Diego Toreros, and what he sees for himself as he approaches a new and exciting stage in his life.
Patrick Ebert (PE): While you were on every scouting director’s follow list entering the spring, you have quickly established yourself as one of the fastest rising draft-eligible players. Is there anything you did specifically in between 2005 and 2006 that has allowed you to enjoy the increased success you have so far this year?
Josh Butler (JB): I think the biggest thing was taking last summer off and just working out during that time. Getting physically stronger was the biggest thing. I have added a curveball, which has helped because it gives me a pitch that is a little slower. Mentally the game seems like it has slowed down a lot and it is coming to me a lot easier. We work with a team psychologist, and she has given me some visualization drills to work on the night before games. Seeing the game beforehand helps it slow down on game day. It helps me stay focused.
PE: When you participated at the 2002 Perfect Game National Showcase, you already had considerable size and promise, throwing in the upper-80s. While you’ve grown another inch or two and put on more strength, in what ways have you changed and developed as a player?
JB: I have matured a lot. I don’t try to just to throw a fastball by everyone because that doesn’t work at the college level. I’ve learned how to actually pitch and not just throw. I definitely pitch to contact more, letting my defense do their job behind me, get the double play and keep my pitch count down. If you try to strike out everybody you can’t pitch deep into games and that hurts the team.
PE: What is your basic approach or philosophy to pitching?
JB: The biggest thing I try to do is get ahead (in the count). If I get ahead 0-1 or 0-2 I go for the strikeout. If I get a little behind I try to make them put it into play by making good pitches. I try to get outs within the first three pitches just so I can keep my pitch count down so I can go later in the game.
PE: What are some of the biggest things you learned from participating at the aforementioned 2002 Perfect Game National?
JB: I learned at such an event given the level of talent in attendance that nobody is really that much better than anyone else out there, its how you approach the game that makes the biggest difference. There are so many guys that have the natural ability, it’s what you do mentally that sets you apart.
PE: You already mentioned that you added a curveball, could you tell us how hard you are throwing these days, and what is your full repertoire of pitches is?
JB: Every game I’m between 90 and 94 with my fastball. My other two pitches are a slider and a changeup. The slider is around 83, 84, my changeup is about 80 and the curveball comes in about 78.
PE: Is the success of your entire repertoire predicated on the success of your fastball?
JB: The fastball definitely sets up every pitch, and makes every pitch that much better.
PE: What are you strengths as a baseball player?
JB: One is just physical ability, I’ve been given a great gift, and that has to be considered a strength. My understanding and knowledge of the game and the situation I’m in, and not trying to do too much as a player. There are nine people out on the field and you have to let them do their job.
PE: Does a lot of that have to do with knowing your own limitations as a player?
JB: Absolutely. I know I’m not going to do everything by myself. Once I understood that, the game came a lot easier and things started to slow down and I didn’t put as much pressure on myself.
PE: What are some of the weaknesses you have that you’re working on?
JB: I used to get frustrated really easily. That has been the biggest issue I have been working on. That and staying in good physical shape. I’m not a big kid to start with in regards to muscle (mass), so I’m working hard to stay as strong as I can be.
PE: Are there any players that you model your game after?
JB: Dan Haren (of the Oakland Athletics), who is good friends with our pitching coach (Eric Valenzuela) comes to our field in the offseason and works out with us. I can relate to him a lot in that we’re built the same way and for the most part have the same pitches. Plus, he’s young, and he went to college and already went through all of the things I’m going to have to go through to get to where I want. I look up to him a lot.
PE: Speaking of going to college, was there ever a point when entering pro ball out of high school was an option?
JB: It was an option if I would have been drafted in the right round. But I needed the college experience, I had a lot of growing up to do. I made the right choice, I’m sure of that.
PE: What were the driving factors for you to attend the University of San Diego, and what other schools did you consider?
JB: I was looking at Cal-Berkeley, Long Beach and Notre Dame. I had never been to San Diego when I took my recruiting trip, and the weather and atmosphere blew me away. The school is absolutely gorgeous, you get a great education, and the coaching staff is great. It seemed like the right fit for me. It was far enough away from home but still close enough if I needed to be there.
PE: I’ve never been there, but I’ve seen San Diego’s campus on television and it looks like paradise.
JB: (Laughing) Yeah, it’s like Club Med, it’s kind of ridiculous. It’s hard to go to class sometimes.
PE: Pitching seems to be the backbone of San Diego’s success this year, largely in part to your success this spring. Is that Head Coach Rich Hill’s philosophy, building the team through an emphasis on pitching?
JB: Not really. My freshman year we had a strong offensive team. We hit over .320 and scored a lot of runs. We can still do that this year, but we’ve faced some tough pitching every week and have a ridiculous schedule. We have some good pitching with a few good freshmen, me and Matt Couch. It’s a good combination. The bats aren’t always going to be there and the pitching isn’t always going to be there, but they’re there to pick each other up.
PE: Speaking of the schedule, you opened the year against then number-one ranked Texas. How did it feel opening the season against the Longhorns and how did it feel afterwards knocking them off?
JB: Going into the game I was stoked. It was the first game of the year, so that’s the game we were looking at in the fall. There was so much building up to it, so it was somewhat of a relief to get on with the rest of the season, but it was also exciting to sweep the number one team in the country at all our place in front of our crowd to get the reputation out in the San Diego community and throughout the rest of the country.
PE: Does that charge you up when there is a game like that on the schedule, and do you bring a little extra something to the mound?
JB: Definitely. I love pitching in front of larger crowds with the great atmosphere. That is sometimes the hardest part about our conference in that we don’t always draw the biggest crowds and it’s sometimes hard to pump yourself up for those games. I definitely love the spotlight.
PE: Is that a game you go to your coach and tell him you want the ball in game one?
JB: Definitely. We’ve already talked about that, and whenever there’s a big game I want to be on the mound.
PE: Who is the toughest batter you have ever faced?
JB: Kiel Thibault from Gonzaga was tough last year. Everything I threw him he just drilled.
PE: What is the highlight of your career so far?
JB: Beating Texas.
PE: Do you have any specific aspirations this spring leading up to the draft?
JB: I want to get drafted high and make my way as far as I can through that system this season and try to get up to the big leagues with a strong spring next year.
PE: With the interest you have been receiving for early round consideration, does that make it difficult juggling not only your collegiate baseball career but your academic work at San Diego?
JB: It definitely doesn’t make it any easier (laughing). A lot of it is just time consuming, but I’m not going to complain about any of it. I’m very blessed right now, I have two more months of it, and I’m willing to deal with every minute of it. It’s been a lot of fun.
PE: Do you have a drive outside of baseball in case the baseball career doesn’t pan out that you have something else to fall back on?
JB: I’m a business major with an emphasis in real estate. I want to do something in the housing district if I have to take that route.
PE: Would you care to share any advice for our younger readers hoping to follow in similar footsteps to your own?
JB: Enjoy every moment you have and don’t get upset if you’re not drafted out of high school. College is a fun experience, and most people need it. Just because you go to college doesn’t mean you can’t be a top pick some day.
PE: Thanks for your time, best wishes this spring both at San Diego and with the upcoming draft.
JB: Thank you very much.
The thoughts and opinions listed here do not necessarily reflect those of Perfect Game USA. Patrick Ebert is affiliated with both Perfect Game USA and Brewerfan.net, and can be contacted via email at pebert@brewerfan.net.