Braves and Twins Announce Two-Player Trade

The Atlanta Braves and Minnesota Twins announced today that the two clubs have completed a two-player trade. The Braves have acquired right-handed pitcher Billy Bullock from the Twins in exchange for left-handed pitcher Scott Diamond.The Twins, who selected Diamond from the Braves in the 2010 Rule 5 Draft, offered him back to Atlanta, but the Braves allowed the Twins to keep Diamond in exchange for Bullock.

The 6-foot-6, 225-pound Bullock completed his second season in the Twins organization in 2010, going 2-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 58 appearances between Single-A Fort Myers and Double-AA New Britain. He recorded 105 strikeouts in 74.0 innings pitched, including 60 punch outs in 36.2 IP for the Class AA Club.

His combined 27 saves ranked 11th in all of minor league baseball, while his 105 strikeouts ranked fourth among minor league relievers who did not start a game. The right-hander opened the season with Fort Myers (A) where he was selected to the Florida State League All-Star team before being joining New Britain (AA) in late June for the remainder of the season.

In 91 career minor league appearances, Bullock has amassed 150 strikeouts in 150.0 innings while recording 38 saves.

Bullock, 23, was a second-round selection by the Twins in the 2009 June Free Agent Draft out of the University of Florida. He was originally drafted in the 20th round of the 2006 June Free Agent Draft by the Detroit Tigers.

Diamond, 24, went 5-10 with a 3.50 ERA in 23 games (all starts) for Double-A Mississippi in 2010. The left-hander owns a 20-13 career record with a 3.17 ERA in 49 games (47 starts) in the Braves farm system.