Giants considering moving bullpen mounds

Williamson: 'I don't think any feature is unique enough to put a player at risk'

May 8th, 2019

DENVER -- Upon being called up by the Giants prior to Tuesday's series opener with the Rockies at Coors Field, outfielder was candid about whether or not the bullpen mounds at Oracle Park should remain in foul territory.

Williamson suffered a concussion on April 24 of last season, when he tumbled over the home team's bullpen mounds down the left-field line while chasing a fly ball, slamming headfirst into the wall.

"Obviously, every park has its unique dimensions, its unique design," Williamson said. "Oracle has a lot of unique features about it, but in my opinion, I don't think any feature is unique enough to put a player at risk. It's not that cool, or special or fun. ... I'm not naive enough to think I'm the first person to get hurt on them, but at the end of the day, just because I wasn't the first doesn't mean I don't need to be the last. We saw it with [Steven] Duggar, that was scary."

Duggar injured his right wrist when he tumbled over the visitor bullpen mounds down the right-field line while chasing a fly ball on April 27. There have reportedly been discussions of moving the bullpen mounds beyond the outfield walls, which could also bring the fences somewhat closer in what has been a notoriously pitcher-friendly venue.

"I think it's important that the players have their say, and the people understand how they feel about it," Giants president of baseball operations Farhan Zaidi said. "For us as an organization, for fans who aren't sure how they feel about making changes, I think it's important for everyone to hear from someone whose career was materially affected by having the mounds out there."

Zaidi said the organization is continuing to discuss the potential changes to the location of the bullpen mounds.