Luke Bailey
| AB | 859 |
|---|---|
| AVG | .208 |
| OBP | .276 |
| SLG | .346 |
| HR | 22 |
- Full name Lucas Mark Bailey
- Born 03/11/1991 in Lagrange, GA
- Profile Ht.: 6'0" / Wt.: 200 / Bats: R / Throws: R
- School Troup County
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Drafted in the 4th round (139th overall) by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2009 (signed for $750,000).
View Draft Report
Bailey entered the season at the front of the national group of high school catchers, one of the strongest positions in the draft. He had shown a rare combination of hitting ability, raw power and arm strength, all of which graded above-average, as well as solid athleticism and surprising speed. Bailey's offense had slipped this spring, as he hit just three home runs. Scouts said he was tinkering too much searching for power, trying different strides and different timing mechanisms. Scouts had no questions about him defensively, where he ranks among the best athletes in the prep catcher group, and he showed toughness as a junior by playing through a broken rib. He has plenty of arm strength and was doing some ill-advised pitching for his high school team before going down with Tommy John surgery in April. Bailey has an Auburn commitment, having grown up a fan, but still was expected to be signable, much as the late Nick Adenhart signed after having had the surgery back in 2004.
Top Rankings
Organization Prospect Rankings
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Teams regarded Bailey as the top high school catching prospect in the 2009 draft until he blew out his elbow while pitching and needed Tommy John surgery. He fell to the fourth round but still signed for $750,000, the equivalent of sandwich-round money. The Rays turned him loose in low Class A last year, though a wrist injury cost him most of the final month. Bailey has plus bat speed and raw power--25 of his 55 hits went for extra bases in 2011--but struggled offensively for most of the season. His long uppercut swing limits the time his bat stays in the hitting zone, which has resulted in strikeouts in 31 percent of his pro plate appearances. Scouts believe he can improve by leveling his stroke and focusing on making more contact. Bailey runs well for a catcher and has has above-average athleticism and agility behind the plate. He proved he has put his elbow reconstruction behind him by throwing out 40 percent of basestealers last year, displaying plus arm strength and accuracy. He also has soft hands and the ability to block balls in the dirt. Tampa Bay applauds Bailey for the progress he has made the past two years. He's slated to open 2012 in high Class A. -
The Tommy John surgery Bailey had late in his senior season of high school not only prevented him from playing pro ball in 2009, it also limited his development in the early stages of his 2010 pro debut. Considered the top prep catching prospect in his draft class before he got hurt, he fell to the fourth round but signed with Tampa Bay for supplemental first-round money ($750,000). When he returned to action last season, Bailey showed above-average power but struggled with his ability to control the strike zone. He tended to become pull-happy after striking out early in games and needs to do a better job of incorporating his solid power to all fields. Bailey had more success defensively, as his plus arm strength returned and he threw out 31 percent of basestealers. He has soft hands and moves well behind the plate, doing a laudable job of blocking balls. He runs surprisingly well for a catcher. The Rays believe Bailey made more strides than anyone in the organization late in the season and through instructional league, which they attribute to making some necessary adjustments as well as trusting his elbow again. Tampa Bay hasn't had much success developing catchers--John Jaso's 2010 season notwithstanding--but has made significant investments in high school backstops Bailey, Justin O'Conner and Jake DePew in the last two drafts. At least one of them will need to move to low Class A next year, and Bailey is the most likely candidate. -
Regarded as one of the top high school catchers in the 2009 draft heading into the spring, Bailey strained an elbow ligament while pitching and had Tommy John surgery. Given the success rate of elbow reconstructions, the Rays saw little risk in using their fourth-round pick on Bailey, who passed up a scholarship to Auburn and signed for $750,000. He has above-average raw power and makes consistent contact. His power production dropped during his senior year, but scouts believe he was tinkering too much with his timing mechanisms while trying to make a good impression. Bailey has solid athleticism and surprising speed, and he also has played the infield corners in addition to catching. Before his injury, he had above-average arm strength with excellent carry and accuracy on his throws. He moves well behind the plate with steady footwork and soft hands. His makeup is considered a strength as well, and he showed his toughness by playing with a broken rib as a junior. Bailey's rehab has gone well and Tampa Bay expects him to make his pro debut during the summer. While the start of his pro career has been delayed, he has the raw tools to emerge as the top catcher in the organization.
Minor League Top Prospects
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One of the top catching prospects in the 2009 prep class, Bailey dropped to the fourth round after he injured his elbow while pitching and needed Tommy John surgery. The Rays signed him for $750,000, the equivalent of sandwich-round money. Despite an underwhelming pro debut, Bailey displayed above-average power. He needs to works on controlling the strike zone and using the whole field. His arm bounced back well from his surgery, as he threw out 31 percent of basestealers, and he has the soft hands and athleticism to become a good receiver.
