Royals notes: Former No. 1 pick Bullington signed to minor-league deal

It took more than 10 years, but the Royals finally signed right-hander Bryan Bullington. The only question now is whether, as a reliever, he can resurrect the potential that made him the No. 1 overall pick in the 2002 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Bullington, 29, agreed Tuesday to a minor-league deal with the Royals after spending most of last season at Class AAA Las Vegas in the Toronto system. Club officials chose not to confirm whether the signing includes an invitation to big-league camp, although that seems likely.

“He is in his second year (of) transitioning to the bullpen,” said Scott Sharp, the Royals’ director of minor-league operations, “and we expect to see a bump in velocity and hope that improves his overall performance.

“He is a strike thrower and has always been.”

Bullington is 0-5 with a 5.08 ERA in 13 career big-league games over parts of four seasons with Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Toronto. He made four relief appearances last April for the Blue Jays before going 3-1 with three saves and a 3.52 ERA in 28 games at Las Vegas.

The Royals selected Bullington as a high school senior in the 37th round of the 1999 draft, but he opted to attend Ball State University.

Three years later, the Pirates chose Bullington as the first overall pick in a draft that included Zack Greinke, Prince Fielder, B.J. Upton, Cole Hamels, Scott Kazmir, Jeff Francis, Matt Cain and Nick Swisher.

Bullington showed initial promise by going 34-17 with a 3.33 ERA in 69 games over his first three professional seasons before a torn labrum in his right shoulder derailed his career.

The injury caused him to miss the 2006 season, and he has yet to show his former potential. Cleveland acquired Bullington on a July 2008 waiver claim from Pittsburgh before he moved to Toronto in an October 2008 waiver claim.

Bullington is the 14th minor-league player, and eighth pitcher, signed by the Royals since the end of the season. The other seven pitchers: Juan Abreu, John Bannister, Jorge Campillo, Jairo Cuevas, Carlos Rivas, Brad Thompson and Kelvin Villa.

The six non-pitchers: catcher Edwin Bellorin, infielder Wilson Betemit, catcher Cody Clark, infielder Irving Falu, outfielder/first baseman Scott Thorman and catcher Vance Wilson.

One that got away

The Royals had an agreement in place to retain free-agent pitcher Juan Abreu on a minor-league deal until Atlanta swooped in, prior to the signing of a contract, with a major-league offer.

That proved too much for Abreu to turn down.

Abreu, 24, signed Tuesday with the Braves, who added him to their 40-man roster. He was 5-4 with 16 saves and a 3.67 ERA last season while splitting time at Class A Wilmington and Class AA Northwest Arkansas.

Saying thanks

Noticed those billboards around town congratulating pitcher Zack Greinke for winning the American League Cy Young Award? The Royals say they are supplied courtesy of Lamar Advertising, which handles the club’s outdoor advertising.

Hot stove buzz

The off-season rumor mill remains relatively quiet regarding the Royals, although free-agent outfielder Coco Crisp is drawing some interest from the Chicago White Sox as a possible replacement for Scott Podsednik.

Crisp, 30, became a free agent when the Royals exercised a $500,000 buyout to void an $8 million option for next season. He batted .228 with 30 runs and 13 steals in 49 games before requiring season-ending shoulder surgery.

Holiday sweepstakes

The Royals are giving away a nine-game ticket package as the grand prize in a Holiday Gift Sweepstakes promotion at royals.com. No purchase is necessary, but entrants are required to register online and supply a phone number and email address.

To reach Bob Dutton, Royals reporter for The Star, send email to bdutton@kcstar.com. Follow his updates at twitter.com/Royals_Report.

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