Puckett's Pond » Billy Bullock

Checking In on Billy Bullock and Scott Diamond

Wally Fish — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 20:01:34 +0000

Remember Billy Bullock? You know, that guy with the power arm that was sent packing so the Twins could retain the services of lefty Scott Diamond? Remember the outrage over that deal? I certainly do, and yes, I was one of those outraged people. That’s not a stance that made me unique of course.

In fact, about the most positive spin you could find from those with the thickest “Twins colored glasses” could muster was that the trade was curious. The logic behind that stance was that Minnesota at least had guys similar to Bullock in the minors so he was somewhat expendable. It was a hollow argument of course, especially considering the team has even more guys like Scott Diamond in the pipeline than they do guys like Bullock. When the media – professional or otherwise – covering the team can only convey, at best, a potential indifference to a trade, then it was nothing short of a bad move at the time it was made.

So here we are, almost a month removed from the deal that went down on March 28th and so I thought it would be appropriate to see how each pitcher is faring in their new homes. (more…)

Minnesota Blunder, Twins Keep Diamond by Dealing Bullock

Wally Fish — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 22:13:30 +0000

As a Royals fan, I’m used to WTF moments. As a matter of fact Dayton Moore has WTF moves down to a science when it comes to trying to compile a 25-man major league roster. Fortunately for the sanity of Royals fans everywhere, he seems to be pretty adept at building a farm system. But as a Twins fan, I’m not used to seeing WTF moves. At least not of this nature.

If you’re a regular reader of Puckett’s Pond content, you know I have been on board with most – perhaps even all – of the moves the Twins front office has made this offseason. It’s not because I am a complete shill for the organization. Rather it is because I see the logic in the moves and choices they have made and it is logic that I agree with by-and-large.

The honeymoon between the Twins front office and myself came to an end this afternoon when word came out that the Twins had swung a deal with the Atlanta Braves to retain Rule 5 pick and fellow southpaw Scott Diamond. That right there set me off. Diamond, while fitting the Twins’ classic profile offers the organization absolutely nothing of value that countless other guys in the in the organization don’t already bring to the table. Don’t get me wrong, I get it. He fits what they like, but there is something to be said for variety and one can only have so many crafty, finesse guys in the mix.

Of course that is only half of the trade … to retain the services of Diamond, the Twins sent Billy Bullock to Atlanta. My mind immediately flashed back to the day the Kansas City Royals signed Jason Kendall to a 2-year deal. My brain blew a fuse and I’m pretty sure I blacked out for a few minutes after that. (more…)

Twins Top 15 Prospects: Number 12

Fetch — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 01:05:29 +0000

Who: Billy Bullock

Position: RHP

How acquired: 2009 Draft

Highest level in 2009: NCAA (Florida)

Billy Bullock was a 2nd round pick by the Twins in the 2nd round of this past draft. Bullock has a tall lean frame and is very projectable. He stands about 6’6″, 225 lbs. Almost exactly what you would want from your pitcher.

Unlike last year’s 1st round pick Carlos Gutierrez, the Twins will no doubt leave Bullock as a reliever, and I think eventually he is Joe Nathan’s successor. Bullock can sit in the low 90s, but I think as he develops and is used primarily as a reliever he will be able to regularly hit 95-96 on the gun.

Having a guy who is most certainly going to be a reliever in the future this high can be dangerous, because a failed starter can slot right into the bullpen, but I think that Bullock will be an impact type guy in the pen.