Billy Butler: 2014 Fantasy Baseball Sleeper

Don't miss RotoBaller's own Andy Schmidt as he breaks down the fantasy baseball sleeper Billy Butler and the overall importance of Butler on the Kansas City Royals 2014 season.

The 2014 season is one in which the Kansas City Royals are going to be expected to produce. If that is going to happen, though, Billy Butler is going to need to have a big season. Butler had a breakout 2012 with 29 home runs and 107 RBI, but he took a huge step back in 2013 with just 15 home runs and 82 RBI while seeing his batting average drop to .289 from .313 in 2012. Butler is a big cog in the middle of the Kansas City lineup, and for the Royals and fantasy owners alike, the 2014 season must turn into something much better.  Fortunately for you, we have a good feeling about Butler in 2014.

Butler told the team’s official website that he is looking to have a bigger leadership role this season. That will be very a important for a team that can’t afford to wait much longer to be successful. The Royals have a young core of hitters entering their primes and they need a leader now. Butler needs to show his teammates what they should be doing to become better players and to lead the Royals to a possible playoff berth.

If Butler can hit well out of the gate, he is going to remain in the cleanup spot in the Kansas City batting order. A season with 25-30 home runs and 100-110 RBI while batting around .300 would be a great return to form for the player known as Country Breakfast and it's entirely possible. He has players like Salvador Perez and Mike Moustakas around him who also have big talent and could benefit nicely from a big Butler season.

If Butler returns to form, he will be someone fantasy owners wish they drafted earlier. Right now he is going in the ninth or tenth round in many drafts which is a huge bargain for a guy with 300-30-100 potential.  If owners are looking for someone with a chip on their shoulder to have a big season and lead their fantasy teams to the playoffs, Butler may be the perfect player to draft this season. The Royals and fantasy owners everywhere will need every single one of his hits and home runs to be successful in 2014. This is the season where everything needs to go right for Butler and company at Kauffman Stadium and if it does he'll be a big time sleeper for your fantasy team.