Homer Bailey
Encyclopedia
David Dewitt "Homer" Bailey, Jr. (born May 3, 1986 in La Grange, Texas
) is an American
Major League Baseball
starting pitcher
for the Cincinnati Reds
.
The Reds selected Bailey in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft
. Prior to the season, both Baseball America
and Baseball Prospectus
named Bailey the top prospect
in the Reds' farm system
. Because of his success at the minor league level, Bailey's debut was highly anticipated when he was called up to the Major League level in June 2007. He made his Major League debut on June 8, 2007, against the Cleveland Indians
. At the time of his debut, Bailey was the youngest player in the National League
.
.
During La Grange's 2004 baseball
season
, Bailey won
15 games and lost none. Additionally, he had a 0.68 earned run average
and 201 strikeout
s in 92 2/3 inning
s pitched. That year, USA Today
, named Bailey as a member of that year's USA Today All-USA high school baseball team
and their High School National Player of the Year. Bailey completed his high school career with 41 wins, 4 losses, a 0.98 ERA, and 536 strikeouts in 298 innings pitched. In , the Cincinnati Reds selected Bailey with the seventh pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.
, a Rookie Class franchise in the Gulf Coast League
. That season, Bailey appeared in six games, started three, and lost his only decision for the GCL Reds.
In , the Reds promoted Bailey to the Dayton Dragons
, the Reds' Class A franchise in the Midwest League
. Bailey appeared in 28 games that season and compiled a record of 8-4. After the season, Baseball America named Bailey as the second-best prospect in the Midwest League.
In , the Reds promoted Bailey to the Sarasota Reds, their Advanced Class-A franchise in the Florida State League
. Although he won just three games and lost five, Baseball America named him as the best prospect in the Florida State League. After he had appeared in 13 games, the Reds promoted Bailey to the Chattanooga Lookouts
, their affiliate in the Double-A Southern League
.
While at Chattanooga
, Bailey put up the best statistics of his minor league career. He won seven games, lost just one, and had a 1.59 ERA in 13 games. Additionally, in 68 innings, he struck out 77 batters
. As a result, Bailey averaged in excess of 10 strikeouts per nine innings while with each of his last three minor league teams.
In 2007, Bailey appeared in three spring training
games for the Reds. He lost his only decision and had a 19.64 ERA when the Reds sent him to their minor league camp on March 16. He started the regular season with the Louisville Bats
, the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in the International League
. Bailey was touted as the best prospect in the Reds' farm system, and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. In early June 2007, the Reds called up Bailey to make his debut against the Cleveland Indians.
, an interleague game
against the Cleveland Indians. In that game, Bailey pitched five innings, allowing two runs
on five hits
and four walks
with three strikeouts, and qualifying for the win. On July 8, 2007, the Reds sent Bailey down to Triple-A Louisville. On September 20, 2007, Bailey returned to the Reds to pitch 5 innings against the Giants. Bailey gave up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three for his third win of the season.
On March 26, , the Reds optioned Bailey to Louisville to start the 2008 season. On June 5, 2008, Bailey was called up to join the Reds rotation. On June 18, 2008, the Reds optioned Bailey back to Louisville after he went 0-3 with an 8.76 ERA in his three starts and called up Daryl Thompson
On July 11, 2008, Bailey returned to the Reds, to pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers
, replacing the injured Aaron Harang
.
Bailey began the 2009 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats
after failing to earn a spot on the Reds' roster.
On May 23, 2009, Bailey made a spot start for the Reds. Regardless of his performance, he was going to be sent back down to Triple-A Louisville. After being sent back down Bailey shut down Triple-A hitters, holding hitters to an ERA well below 2.00 over his next six starts. On June 27, Bailey was recalled and again faced the Cleveland Indians. Despite walking seven batters Bailey picked up the win. One start later Bailey shutdown the St. Louis Cardinals for 7.1 innings. The two runs credited to Bailey were a result of a grand-slam given up by reliever David Weathers
.
Being considered a "can't miss prospect", Bailey's first 2 seasons with the Reds were seen as disappointing, and the 2009 season didn't start off much better. As the season progressed, however, Bailey began to become more consistent, and as a result, began to be more effective, allowing only 3 runs or less in his final 9 starts. He finished the 2009 season with a 4.53 ERA
in 113 innings.
Bailey made the Reds out of spring training in 2010. He ended up on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation in May. During his rehabilitation, the Reds considered moving Bailey to the bullpen but after a solid start against the Florida Marlins
, the Reds chose to move Mike Leake
to the bullpen to keep Bailey in the rotation.
La Grange, Texas
La Grange is a city in Fayette County, Texas, near the Colorado River. The population was 4,478 at the 2000 census. The 2006 estimated population was 4,645. But a 2010 census estimated that the city had a population of 4,923...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
starting pitcher
Starting pitcher
In baseball or softball, a starting pitcher is the pitcher who delivers the first pitch to the first batter of a game. A pitcher who enters the game after the first pitch of the game is a relief pitcher....
for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
The Reds selected Bailey in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft
2004 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2004 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
. Prior to the season, both Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
and Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus
Baseball Prospectus is an organization that publishes a website, BaseballProspectus.com, devoted to the sabermetric analysis of baseball. BP has a staff of regular columnists and provides advanced statistics as well player and team performance projections on the site...
named Bailey the top prospect
Prospect (sports)
In sports, a prospect is any player whose rights are owned by a professional team, but who has yet to play a game for the team, or isn't established with the team yet. Prospects can sometimes be assigned to farm teams...
in the Reds' farm system
Farm team
In sports, a farm team, farm system, feeder team or nursery club, is generally a team or club whose role is to provide experience and training for young players, with an agreement that any successful players can move on to a higher level at a given point...
. Because of his success at the minor league level, Bailey's debut was highly anticipated when he was called up to the Major League level in June 2007. He made his Major League debut on June 8, 2007, against the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. At the time of his debut, Bailey was the youngest player in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
.
Early life
Bailey, nicknamed "Homer" after his great-grandfather, attended La Grange High SchoolLa Grange High School
La Grange High School is the high school of La Grange, Texas and is a part of the La Grange Independent School District located in Fayette County.-School song:We pledge dear Alma mater,To wear your purple and gold,...
.
During La Grange's 2004 baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
season
Season (sports)
In an organized sports league, a season is the portion of one year in which regulated games of the sport are in session. For example, in Major League Baseball, one season lasts approximately from April 1 through October 1; in Association football, it is generally from August until May In an...
, Bailey won
Win (baseball)
In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...
15 games and lost none. Additionally, he had a 0.68 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
and 201 strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
s in 92 2/3 inning
Inning
Inning is a municipality in the district of Erding in Bavaria in Germany....
s pitched. That year, USA Today
USA Today
USA Today is a national American daily newspaper published by the Gannett Company. It was founded by Al Neuharth. The newspaper vies with The Wall Street Journal for the position of having the widest circulation of any newspaper in the United States, something it previously held since 2003...
, named Bailey as a member of that year's USA Today All-USA high school baseball team
USA Today All-USA high school baseball team
Each year, USA Today, an American newspaper, awards outstanding high-school baseball players with a place on its All-USA High School Baseball Team. The newspaper names athletes whom they believe to be the best baseball players from high schools across the United States...
and their High School National Player of the Year. Bailey completed his high school career with 41 wins, 4 losses, a 0.98 ERA, and 536 strikeouts in 298 innings pitched. In , the Cincinnati Reds selected Bailey with the seventh pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.
Minor League career
In 2004, Bailey made his professional debut with the Gulf Coast RedsGulf Coast Reds
The Arizona League Reds, formerly the Gulf Coast League Reds, are a minor league baseball team in Goodyear, Arizona. They are a Rookie-level team in the Arizona League that begin play as a Cincinnati Reds affiliate in the summer of 2010. The AZL Reds play home games at the Goodyear Ballpark...
, a Rookie Class franchise in the Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
. That season, Bailey appeared in six games, started three, and lost his only decision for the GCL Reds.
In , the Reds promoted Bailey to the Dayton Dragons
Dayton Dragons
The Dayton Dragons are a Class A minor league baseball team from Dayton, Ohio affiliated with the Cincinnati Reds. They play in the Midwest League at Fifth Third Field.The Dragons came to Dayton in 2000...
, the Reds' Class A franchise in the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
. Bailey appeared in 28 games that season and compiled a record of 8-4. After the season, Baseball America named Bailey as the second-best prospect in the Midwest League.
In , the Reds promoted Bailey to the Sarasota Reds, their Advanced Class-A franchise in the Florida State League
Florida State League
The Florida State League is a Class A-Advanced minor league baseball league operating in the state of Florida. They are one of three leagues currently operating in Class A-Advanced, the third highest of six classifications of minor leagues...
. Although he won just three games and lost five, Baseball America named him as the best prospect in the Florida State League. After he had appeared in 13 games, the Reds promoted Bailey to the Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
, their affiliate in the Double-A Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
.
While at Chattanooga
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Chattanooga is the fourth-largest city in the US state of Tennessee , with a population of 169,887. It is the seat of Hamilton County...
, Bailey put up the best statistics of his minor league career. He won seven games, lost just one, and had a 1.59 ERA in 13 games. Additionally, in 68 innings, he struck out 77 batters
Batting (baseball)
In baseball, batting is the act of facing the opposing pitcher and trying to produce offense for one's team. A batter or hitter is a person whose turn it is to face the pitcher...
. As a result, Bailey averaged in excess of 10 strikeouts per nine innings while with each of his last three minor league teams.
In 2007, Bailey appeared in three spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
games for the Reds. He lost his only decision and had a 19.64 ERA when the Reds sent him to their minor league camp on March 16. He started the regular season with the Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, the Reds' Triple-A affiliate in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. Bailey was touted as the best prospect in the Reds' farm system, and one of the best pitching prospects in baseball. In early June 2007, the Reds called up Bailey to make his debut against the Cleveland Indians.
Major League career
On June 8, 2007, Bailey made his Major League debut as the starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds in their home game at Great American Ball ParkGreat American Ball Park
The Great American Ball Park is a Major League Baseball park in Cincinnati, Ohio. It is the home of the National League's Cincinnati Reds. It opened in 2003, replacing the Reds' former home, Cinergy Field, which was known as Riverfront Stadium from its opening in June 1970 until the 1996...
, an interleague game
Interleague play
Interleague play is the term used to describe regular season Major League Baseball games played between teams in different leagues, introduced in . Before the 1997 season, teams in the American League and National League did not meet during the regular season...
against the Cleveland Indians. In that game, Bailey pitched five innings, allowing two runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
on five hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and four walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
with three strikeouts, and qualifying for the win. On July 8, 2007, the Reds sent Bailey down to Triple-A Louisville. On September 20, 2007, Bailey returned to the Reds to pitch 5 innings against the Giants. Bailey gave up one run on three hits and a walk while striking out three for his third win of the season.
On March 26, , the Reds optioned Bailey to Louisville to start the 2008 season. On June 5, 2008, Bailey was called up to join the Reds rotation. On June 18, 2008, the Reds optioned Bailey back to Louisville after he went 0-3 with an 8.76 ERA in his three starts and called up Daryl Thompson
Daryl Thompson
Daryl Marcelus Thompson is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball....
On July 11, 2008, Bailey returned to the Reds, to pitch against the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, replacing the injured Aaron Harang
Aaron Harang
Aaron Michael Harang is a Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher.-Amateur career:Harang graduated from Patrick Henry High School then went on to San Diego State University...
.
Bailey began the 2009 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
after failing to earn a spot on the Reds' roster.
On May 23, 2009, Bailey made a spot start for the Reds. Regardless of his performance, he was going to be sent back down to Triple-A Louisville. After being sent back down Bailey shut down Triple-A hitters, holding hitters to an ERA well below 2.00 over his next six starts. On June 27, Bailey was recalled and again faced the Cleveland Indians. Despite walking seven batters Bailey picked up the win. One start later Bailey shutdown the St. Louis Cardinals for 7.1 innings. The two runs credited to Bailey were a result of a grand-slam given up by reliever David Weathers
David Weathers
John David Weathers is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He bats and throws right-handed.- Early career :...
.
Being considered a "can't miss prospect", Bailey's first 2 seasons with the Reds were seen as disappointing, and the 2009 season didn't start off much better. As the season progressed, however, Bailey began to become more consistent, and as a result, began to be more effective, allowing only 3 runs or less in his final 9 starts. He finished the 2009 season with a 4.53 ERA
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 113 innings.
Bailey made the Reds out of spring training in 2010. He ended up on the disabled list with shoulder inflammation in May. During his rehabilitation, the Reds considered moving Bailey to the bullpen but after a solid start against the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
, the Reds chose to move Mike Leake
Mike Leake
Michael Raymond Leake , is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds. He bats and throws right-handed...
to the bullpen to keep Bailey in the rotation.