Thursday, January 14, 2010

Top 15 Hitters: #5 Luke Bailey

Luke Bailey
6'0" 195 lbs DOB: 3/11/1991
Catcher
Bats: Right | Throws: Right
2009: Did not play(signed late/injured)
Acquired: 2009 Draft, 4th Round, 139th Overall

Bailey entered spring of 2009 as one of the hottest names from the high school crop. He was atop the list of a very strong catching class, boasting above-average tools across the board, and hee was considered the top defensive catcher.

His offensive game dropped off a little bit during the high school season, though he continued to show off the tools that made him a premier name and remained strong defensively. Doing some pitching, however, he hurt his elbow, eventually requiring Tommy John surgery. That caused him to fall to the fourth round, where the Rays signed him away from an Auburn commitment for $750,000.

Bailey will make his debut in the 2010 season, but the Rays will ease him back into catching as his arm strength returns. Assuming his arm eventually does heal, Bailey will be among the toolsiest catchers in the minors. He'll need to show he can hit after struggling a bit his senior season, but the concerns about his bat aren't too extreme. He'll begin 2010 in extended spring training, but from there it's anyone's guess where he ends up. He has no pro experience, but the Rays may consider him advanced enough to take on the New York-Penn League.

6 comments:

  1. I'd love to see him start out in the New York Penn League. It's a better pitching than hitting league though, right?

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  2. Barnese and Bailey CircusJanuary 14, 2010 at 4:21 PM

    I know that he will be able to hit but what will the time table for catching be following TJ surgery?

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  3. by the time he starts playing again, will he split time between DH and C(as in half and half) or will he play one of those full time?

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  4. Watching him play....I would say he is ready for Durham

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  5. Is he playing in extended spring training? If so is he getting any time at catcher or is he just DH'ing?Can't wait to see the results once this kid actualy plays.

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  6. Luke isn't going to start catching in game situations until the middle of May. He's still recovering from the surgery and the Rays are being very careful with his arm. He's catching bullpens and participating in all of the catchers drills with Jamie Nelson (Rays catching director), which from first hand observation is pretty tough business. He's getting AB's as a DH though.

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