Billy Butler Named To 2012 MLB All Star Roster

Billy Butler won’t have to travel very far to attend his first MLB All Star game. The Royals DH was named to the American League squad for the 2012 MLB All Star game held in Kansas City.

Butler has been the Royals’ best offensive weapon this season, and is a big reason why KC is 35-42 and only a couple of games out of first place. Butler currently has a .297 average with 16 HR and 48 RBI for the season, and he has consistently provided the Royals with clutch hitting late in games. Butler is the only Royals player to make the team, despite strong seasons from players such as Jonathan Broxton, Mike Moustakas and Alcides Escobar.

Broxton still has an opportunity to play for the AL Central, although his fate is in the hands of the fans. Broxton is one of this year’s Final Vote candidates for the AL, joined by Yu Darvish, Jason Hammel, Jake Peavy and Ernesto Frieri.

Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton received 11,073,744 votes, easily breaking the previous record of votes for a player that was held by Jose Bautista. Giants catcher Buster Posey received the most NL votes with 7,621,370.

Butler’s AL teammates also include C Mike Napoli, 1B Prince Fielder, 2B Robinson Cano, 3B Adrian Beltre, S Derek Jeter and DH David Ortiz as the starters. Apart from Ortiz, Adam Dunn of the White Sox is the other AL Designated Hitter on the All Star roster.

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Who Will Represent The Royals In The 2012 MLB All Star Game?

The 2012 MLB All Star Game is approaching, and online voting for MLB fans ends tonight at midnight. Royals fans will have to wait several days to find out which Kansas City player will be representing the team in the All Star Game, although there are two strong possibilities as to who will get the Royals’ All Star selection.

Billy Butler has made a strong case to be selected as Kansas City’s All Star. The 26-year-old slugger has hit for a .296 average this season, with 15 homers and 46 RBI. Not only has Butler been Kansas City’s most consistent offensive player, he has several clutch home runs that have helped the Royals win some close games. Without Butler’s performance at the plate, it is safe to say that Kansas City would not be sitting at 34-39 on the season and only a couple of games out of first. Despite another solid year, Butler may get passed over in favor of designated hitters like David Ortiz, and his position is loaded with players with similar, if not better, numbers.

Another possibility is Jonathan Broxton, who has slowly turned into one of the better closers in the American League this season. Broxton boasts a 1.52 ERA and 19 saves this season, and is another reason why the Royals are still in contention midway through the season. Due to the number of pitchers selected, Broxton has to be the favorite to grab Kansas City’s All Star spot.

Fresh off an impressive sweep of the Rays, the Royals will begin a series in Minnesota tomorrow against the Twins. Minnesota is one of the worst teams in baseball, and the Royals have a great opportunity to bring their record closer to .500 on the season.

Kansas City News, official kc news site with breaking stories on The Kansas City Royals, Chiefs, charity events, the 2012 MLB All Star Game, weather, sports, MU, KU, ufo sightings, dui checkpoints, Kansas City neighborhoods, nightlife, concerts, the Sprint Center, the Power and Light District and current Kansas City news articles.