Royals Roundup: Drew Butera Joins Blue Jays Staff, Scouts Honored for Stellar Work
The Winter Meetings have wrapped, and while the Kansas City Royals didn’t make waves on the transaction front, there were still a couple of key storylines worth the attention of Royals fans-especially those who appreciate the long game of baseball development and the people behind the scenes helping shape it.
Let’s start with a familiar face stepping into a new role.
Drew Butera Keeps Climbing the Coaching Ladder
If you’re a Royals fan, chances are you remember the moment like it was yesterday-Wade Davis firing the final strike of the 2015 World Series, arms raised, then turning to embrace catcher Drew Butera in a moment that sealed Kansas City’s first title in 30 years. That image is etched into franchise lore.
Fast forward to today, and Butera is continuing to write a new chapter in baseball-this time from the dugout.
The former Royals backstop is joining the Toronto Blue Jays as a major league coach, according to reports. It’s the latest step in a post-playing career that’s seen Butera steadily rise through the coaching ranks. Over the past two seasons, he served as the catching instructor for the Chicago White Sox, and before that, he worked with the Angels as a bullpen catcher and catching coach.
This isn’t a sudden pivot for Butera-he’s been laying the groundwork for years. Known for his defensive acumen and game-calling ability during his playing days, Butera’s transition to coaching always felt like a natural fit.
He’s already earned respect across the league for his ability to connect with players and help develop young catchers, and Toronto’s interest in adding him isn’t new. The Jays have had their eye on him before, and now they’ve finally brought him aboard.
As a player, Butera bounced around the league, suiting up for the Twins, Dodgers, Royals, Rockies, and Angels, with a brief minor league stint in the Astros system. But his time in Kansas City-from 2015 to 2017-remains a highlight, and Royals fans will no doubt be rooting for him as he continues to grow in the coaching world.
Royals Scouts Earn National Recognition
While the headlines at the Winter Meetings often center on big-name trades and free-agent signings, there’s another layer to the event that doesn’t always get the spotlight-but absolutely deserves it.
This week, two Royals scouts received Scout of the Year honors, a prestigious recognition in the baseball scouting community. And these aren’t just any names-they’re two of the most respected evaluators in the game.
Tom McNamara was named East Coast Scout of the Year. He’s been with the Royals since 2020, but his reputation goes back further. He played a key role in identifying talent for the Brewers, including scouting a young Prince Fielder, and he’s continued to bring that sharp eye for talent to Kansas City’s front office.
Then there’s Rene Francisco, who took home the award for International Scout of the Year. Royals fans have plenty of reasons to appreciate Francisco’s work-he’s been instrumental in building Kansas City’s international pipeline since joining the organization in 2006. He’s the man behind the signings of Salvador Perez and Kelvin Herrera, two cornerstones of the Royals’ 2015 championship run.
Scouting is often a thankless job-long travel, countless hours at ballparks, and years of projecting what a 16-year-old might become. But it’s the foundation of any successful franchise. The Royals’ recognition at this year’s Winter Meetings is a reminder that while the big moves may grab headlines, it’s the steady, behind-the-scenes work that builds sustainable success.
What It All Means for the Royals
Even without a splashy signing or trade this week, the Royals are still making moves that matter. Drew Butera’s coaching journey is a testament to the kind of baseball minds the organization has helped develop-not just on the field, but in the game’s broader ecosystem. And the recognition of McNamara and Francisco underscores the strength of Kansas City’s scouting infrastructure, which remains a key part of the club’s identity.
The Royals may be quiet for now, but the foundation is still being built-and that’s often where the real progress happens.