please?

What do you want to know? I'll do my best to answer any questions

Nice to see Bullard still lurking around here

Damn, Bullard is like CW's geanie. A geanie who can pitch that is.

What do you want to know?  I'll do my best to answer any questions

Besides your favorite cheese?

 

Actually, Jim, I have an idea concerning you. Can you shoot me an email at alex@futuresox.com ..... Don't worry. It's nothing immoral, unethical or illegal. I just want to pitch an idea to you.

 

I'm going hunting this weekend so I won't respond right away.

Bullard,

 

How has my ISU homeboy Neal Cotts been looking in the AFL? We can see his stats; however, stats don't tell the complete story. I've heard that he's working on adding a pitch, much like Loaiza did. Is this true? And, if so, what pitch is he trying to add?

Is Corwin Malone an easy s***ter to hit off of, like Jose Lima?

Bullard,

 

How has my ISU homeboy Neal Cotts been looking in the AFL?  We can see his stats; however, stats don't tell the complete story.  I've heard that he's working on adding a pitch, much like Loaiza did.  Is this true?  And, if so, what pitch is he trying to add?

Wasn't he tryin to add a cutter like Loaiza used so effectively this year? If he can use it effectively at 92MPH which is his fastball speed I think, he'll become a much more dangerous pitcher.

Wasn't he tryin to add a cutter like Loaiza used so effectively this year? If he can use it effectively at 92MPH which is his fastball speed I think, he'll become a much more dangerous pitcher.

Doesn't Neal have a pretty good curve ball too?

 

If he can get some decent control, watch out.

Ok, I think I remember everything that you guys were curious about.

 

1. Cotts- He pitched well in Afl, until he hurt his back and got to go home early. Dont worry he is fine now. I think it was more precaution than anything. Secondly, he started working on a cutter and from what he has told me it is coming along quite nicely. That will be a good complement to his curveball and changeup. Neal is back home in Illinois, so if you get a chance go bother him, he loves to be bothered!

 

2. Malone- He struggled early on this year and actually went to Kanny for awhile, but when he came back in August he looked more like the Corwin of 2001. As long as he throws strikes he will be alright b/c he has the s*** to pitch in the show and he is a hard working dude as well.

 

3. The rule 5 draft is coming up on Dec. 15. I think the list of the guys taken will be on baseballamerica.com later that day or the next at the latest. Who knows good ol' Bull might be changing addresses. We got some quality arms and bats protected on the AAA roster, so dont be surprised to see at least one of us gone at least through the end of ST.

 

4. I am in the middle of finals right now at UCSB. So pray for me b/c I have no motivation what so ever take them and actually do well. I just wanna pass. I am too old to still be hangin out with 18-20 college kids. I feel like I am in Bristol all over again!! But I only have to endure to college life until Dec. 11. Then I am done until next fall.

 

Anyway, I hope I answered some stuff that was relevant to the questions aforementioned above. i'll check in when I get a chance. Peace

Ok, I think I remember everything that you guys were curious about.

 

1.  Cotts-  He pitched well in Afl, until he hurt his back and got to go home early.  Dont worry he is fine now.  I think it was more precaution than anything.  Secondly,  he started working on a cutter and from what he has told me it is coming along quite nicely.  That will be a good complement to his curveball and changeup.  Neal is back home in Illinois, so if you get a chance go bother him, he loves to be bothered!

 

2.  Malone-  He struggled early on this year and actually went to Kanny for awhile, but when he came back in August he looked more like the Corwin of 2001.  As long as he throws strikes he will be alright b/c he has the s*** to pitch in the show and he is a hard working dude as well.

 

3.  The rule 5 draft is coming up on Dec. 15.  I think the list of the guys taken will be on baseballamerica.com later that day or the next at the latest.  Who knows good ol' Bull might be changing addresses.  We got some quality arms and bats protected on the AAA roster, so dont be surprised to see at least one of us gone at least through the end of ST.

 

4.  I am in the middle of finals right now at UCSB.  So pray for me b/c I have no motivation what so ever take them and actually do well.  I just wanna pass.  I am too old to still be hangin out with 18-20 college kids.  I feel like I am in Bristol all over again!!  But I only have to endure to college life until Dec. 11. Then I am done until next fall.

 

Anyway, I hope I answered some stuff that was relevant to the questions aforementioned above.  i'll check in when I get a chance.  Peace

Thanks for all the info Bull, nice to know what is going on. I really hope you aren't gone afterwards, we need an insider somewhere

 

I am in the same boat with you on finals, I have no desire on them. Good luck, I know I will need it.

Damn Bull, you are an old bastard!!

Any news on Jon Rauch? I have been waiting and hoping for him to really be a part of our rotation for about 3 years now. Is he going to be a good MLB pitcher, or just another "overrated prospect flop" like Scott Ruffcorn, James Baldwin, Larry Thomas, etc?

Ok, I think I remember everything that you guys were curious about.

 

1.  Cotts-  He pitched well in Afl, until he hurt his back and got to go home early.  Dont worry he is fine now.  I think it was more precaution than anything.  Secondly,  he started working on a cutter and from what he has told me it is coming along quite nicely.  That will be a good complement to his curveball and changeup.  Neal is back home in Illinois, so if you get a chance go bother him, he loves to be bothered!

 

2.  Malone-  He struggled early on this year and actually went to Kanny for awhile, but when he came back in August he looked more like the Corwin of 2001.  As long as he throws strikes he will be alright b/c he has the s*** to pitch in the show and he is a hard working dude as well.

 

3.  The rule 5 draft is coming up on Dec. 15.  I think the list of the guys taken will be on baseballamerica.com later that day or the next at the latest.  Who knows good ol' Bull might be changing addresses.  We got some quality arms and bats protected on the AAA roster, so dont be surprised to see at least one of us gone at least through the end of ST.

 

4.  I am in the middle of finals right now at UCSB.  So pray for me b/c I have no motivation what so ever take them and actually do well.  I just wanna pass.  I am too old to still be hangin out with 18-20 college kids.  I feel like I am in Bristol all over again!!  But I only have to endure to college life until Dec. 11. Then I am done until next fall.

 

Anyway, I hope I answered some stuff that was relevant to the questions aforementioned above.  i'll check in when I get a chance.  Peace

thanks my friend!

 

prayers for you for school --

Thanx for that Bull, hopefully you won't be changin addresses in the rule 5 draft because we'd all luv to see u in the White Sox uniform pitchin one day. Good luck one ur finals as well.

Thanks for the info about Cotts, Bullard. It's nice to know that he's all right and safe at home. I wonder if he'll come visit ISU at some time...He was still here when our current seniors were freshmen.

Thanks for the info as always Bull and I sure hope you don't get taken out of the organization, but if it helps you reach the majors quicker, then its fine by me. I'm rooting for ya either way.

 

Good to hear SB has been good. Went up there for Halloween, damn was it crazy. I never believed what everyone told me about it and then I finally went and wow.

 

Good luck on your finals and just think...after that you get a little break, then I'm guessing your heading to Tuscon???

Ok, I think I remember everything that you guys were curious about.

 

1.  Cotts-  He pitched well in Afl, until he hurt his back and got to go home early.  Dont worry he is fine now.  I think it was more precaution than anything.  Secondly,  he started working on a cutter and from what he has told me it is coming along quite nicely.  That will be a good complement to his curveball and changeup.  Neal is back home in Illinois, so if you get a chance go bother him, he loves to be bothered!

 

2.  Malone-  He struggled early on this year and actually went to Kanny for awhile, but when he came back in August he looked more like the Corwin of 2001.  As long as he throws strikes he will be alright b/c he has the s*** to pitch in the show and he is a hard working dude as well.

 

3.  The rule 5 draft is coming up on Dec. 15.  I think the list of the guys taken will be on baseballamerica.com later that day or the next at the latest.  Who knows good ol' Bull might be changing addresses.  We got some quality arms and bats protected on the AAA roster, so dont be surprised to see at least one of us gone at least through the end of ST.

 

4.  I am in the middle of finals right now at UCSB.  So pray for me b/c I have no motivation what so ever take them and actually do well.  I just wanna pass.  I am too old to still be hangin out with 18-20 college kids.  I feel like I am in Bristol all over again!!  But I only have to endure to college life until Dec. 11. Then I am done until next fall.

 

Anyway, I hope I answered some stuff that was relevant to the questions aforementioned above.  i'll check in when I get a chance.  Peace

Hey Jas, don't you live close to UCSB? Have you and Bull met?

Went out on a date last weekend, didn't you hear?

Hey Jas, don't you live close to UCSB?  Have you and Bull met?

I'm about 3 hrs from SB. I went up there to visit my buddy that plays on their basketball team.

 

Mario and I met Bullard for a few minutes at spring training in Tuscon last season. He was very nice and made Mario and I look like midgets...especially Mario . Hopefully in a year or two we'll all get to watch him pitch for the Sox

Wait so if the Sox want Bullard back they pay like 20,000 to get him back if he is selected in the Rule 5 draft?

Wait so if the Sox want Bullard back they pay like 20,000 to get him back if he is selected in the Rule 5 draft?

If Bullard is taken in the Rule V draft. Then the taem that drafts him must have him on the active 25 man roster all season (Or I guess they can put u on the DL if you have a legit injury). So basically they take up a roster spot to put you on. Typically players taken in the Rule V, aren't ready for the majors so they basically are played in blowouts and thats it so their development is really slowed and then the next season they go back in the minors and then the franchise hopes they develop and then you bring them back to the majors when they feel the player is ready.

 

I can't think of many Rule V picks that stick around a full season and contribute after that, but I don't pay that much attention to it, cause almost always the team ends up giving the player back or they work out a trade so they can keep the player.

If Bullard is taken in the Rule V draft.  Then the taem that drafts him must have him on the active 25 man roster all season (Or I guess they can put u on the DL if you have a legit injury).  So basically they take up a roster spot to put you on.  Typically players taken in the Rule V, aren't ready for the majors so they basically are played in blowouts and thats it so their development is really slowed and then the next season they go back in the minors and then the franchise hopes they develop and then you bring them back to the majors when they feel the player is ready.

 

I can't think of many Rule V picks that stick around a full season and contribute after that, but I don't pay that much attention to it, cause almost always the team ends up giving the player back or they work out a trade so they can keep the player.

The Tigers had like 3 Rule V guys on their roster this year IIRC, and I think all of them were in the pen. It will be interesting to see how they play out.

If Bullard is taken in the Rule V draft.  Then the taem that drafts him must have him on the active 25 man roster all season (Or I guess they can put u on the DL if you have a legit injury).  So basically they take up a roster spot to put you on.  Typically players taken in the Rule V, aren't ready for the majors so they basically are played in blowouts and thats it so their development is really slowed and then the next season they go back in the minors and then the franchise hopes they develop and then you bring them back to the majors when they feel the player is ready.

 

I can't think of many Rule V picks that stick around a full season and contribute after that, but I don't pay that much attention to it, cause almost always the team ends up giving the player back or they work out a trade so they can keep the player.

I'll give you one....

 

George Bell for the Jays in the early 80's

 

The Jays drafted Bell for the Phills in the 1980 Rule V draft. was in the ML in 1981 spend 1982 in the minors came up to stay in 1983, after that was good for the Jays

There wasn't a single position player in last year's Rule 5 who made a significant impact, although the Brewers still have hope for the first overall pick, shortstop Enrique Cruz. But a bunch of pitchers left their mark -- especially Aquilino Lopez in Toronto, Javier Lopez in Colorado, D.J. Carrasco in Kansas City, Luis Ayala in Montreal and the Wilfredo Ledezma-Matt Roney-Chris Spurling threesome in Detroit.

 

THis was last years group according to ESPN.com.