NC State shortstop Brandon Butterworth drafted by San Diego Padres
NC State coach Elliott Avent compared Brandon Butterworth to being one of NC State’s best fielding shortstops since the skipper took over in Raleigh multiple times this year. Now, Butterworth is off to the next level.
The smooth-fielding shortstop was selected 360th overall by the San Diego Padres on Monday afternoon, likely kicking off his professional career after one year at NC State.
Butterworth, who transferred to the Wolfpack from Western Carolina, was a key cog in NC State’s ability to make a run to the College World Series this summer. Not only was he able to field with ease, but his speed on the basepaths may have been just as important.
The Monroe, N.C., native hit .250 with 13 doubles, two triples, seven home runs and 33 RBI this spring. He also stole 13 bases with 40 walks, while he sported a .420 slugging percentage and a .369 on-base mark with the Wolfpack.
Butterworth was also one of just four players to play and start all 61 games this season, anchoring shortstop for the entire season. He led off eight times, but was mainly a middle of the order hitter that provided sneaky pop to his pull side down the left field line.
Although he spent just one season in Raleigh, Butterworth made several marquee plays for the Wolfpack.
Butterworth hit .333 with three RBI and helped turn four double plays in the Wolfpack’s Raleigh Regional, serving as a key contributor to spark the postseason run. He earned All-Regional honors at shortstop for his work.
Butterworth, D1Baseball’s No. 179 college player in the draft also led the Pack’s comeback bid against Florida, which fell just short in Omaha, with a 2-for-4 day at the plate with a pair of RBI.
In addition to the postseason success, Butterworth etched his name in the NC State-UNC rivalry this spring. He hit a walk-off homer to set the tone against the Tar Heels, his first such blast of his life, which propelled the Wolfpack to an eventual series win over its archrival.
Butterworth, now, will take his slick defense — a .949 fielding percentage with 71 putouts, 133 assists and 26 double plays with the Wolfpack — to San Diego in his next chapter of his baseball career.
