Initially drafted as a starter, in 1981, he went 4–2 with a 2.72 earned run average (ERA) at the Rookie level.

Granted free agency by the Rangers, he signed in 1989 with the San Diego Padres, who needed depth in their bullpen.

However, the Atlanta Braves signed him in the middle of August 1990, seeing that his walk rate in 1989 was the lowest it had been in his minor league career.

In 1994, a full 14 years after Billy Taylor had been drafted, he finally played in the big leagues.

On July 31, 1999, he was traded by the Oakland Athletics to the New York Mets for Jason Isringhausen and Greg McMichael.

He then played for the Mets, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Pittsburgh Pirates before retiring from baseball.