Billy Koch
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Billy Koch (born December 14, 1974 in Rockville Centre, New York) was once a feared reliever in Major League Baseball. He was one of the few pitchers who constantly threw 100 MPH, but he has lost velocity and struggled with command in recent years.
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Career
Billy Koch was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (4th pick) of the 1996 amateur draft and made his debut in 1999. Billy made an instant impression by regularly hitting 100 MPH on the radar gun. The pitch speed, posted on the SkyDome jumbotron after every pitch, consistently drew awes from the crowd.
Billy was groomed for the role of closer and had mixed success at the role over the next three seasons. While he was regarded as one of the most dominating pitchers in the league when he was at his best, at times he battled with his control and composure on the mound. Neverless, he continued to post improving save numbers (31, 33 and then 36) from 1999 to 2001.
On December 7, 2001, the Blue Jays, now under new management, traded Billy to the Oakland Athletics for Eric Hinske and Justin Miller. Oakland proved to be a good fit. Billy saved 44 games in 2002 while posting a respectable 3.27 ERA and 93 strikeouts in only 93 2/3 innings. He was, however, criticized for poor play in the playoffs that year.
On December 3, 2002, Billy was once again traded, this time to the Chicago White Sox along with two minor leaguers for Keith Foulke, Mark Johnson, Joe Valentine and cash. Billy was not able to duplicate either his success with Toronto or Oakland, however. Due to wildly inconsistent play, Jerry Manuel removed Billy from the role of closer, relegating him to middle relief. Billy finished the season with just 11 saves, and a 5.77 ERA.
Billy's troubles continued in 2004. In 2003, he was once again the closer but only saved 8 games in 24 games played, compiling an ERA of 5.40. He was traded to the Florida Marlins in June for Wilson Valdez, a minor-league second baseman who was assumed would replace Luis Castillo before Castillo signed a four-year contract to remain with Florida. Billy fared better in Florida than he did with Chicago, having a 1-2 record and a 3.51 ERA in 23 games while serving as a setup man for Armando Benitez. However, personal issues caused him to miss the last month of the regular season, and Florida released him at the end of the season.
Following the 2004 season he was signed to a 1-year contract by his original team, the Toronto Blue Jays. He was released by the team during Spring Training.
Accomplishments
- AL Rolaids Relief Man of the Year Award winner (2002)
- Finished 2nd in American League in saves (2002, 44 saves)
Teams
- Toronto Blue Jays (1999-2001)
- Oakland Athletics (2002)
- Chicago White Sox (2003-2004)
- Florida Marlins (2004)