 Drafted by the [Los Angeles Dodgers] in the 1st round of the 1978 MLB amateur draft, Bilardello made his MLB début with the Cincinnati Reds on April 11, 1983.His rookie season was his best showing at the plate with a .238 batting average, nine home runs and 38 runs batted in in 109 games.The next season, his 41.5% caught stealing percentage led the National League.