Righty Brandon Bailey Quietly Dominating
The Athletics' top prospect list is currently littered with elite pitching prospects, but, crazy as it may seem, that doesn't even begin to speak to the pitching depth of Oakland. There are several pitchers in the organization worthy of the title "prospect," though they're unable to crack MLB Pipeline's top
The Athletics' top prospect list is currently littered with elite pitching prospects, but, crazy as it may seem, that doesn't even begin to speak to the pitching depth of Oakland. There are several pitchers in the organization worthy of the title "prospect," though they're unable to crack MLB Pipeline's top 30 due to the sheer amount of pitching talent that the A's have drafted.
Snappers fans have had the pleasure of watching a few of those arms this year, one of the most prominent being 22-year-old right-hander
After an impressive collegiate career, including a 2.42 ERA in his junior year, Bailey is enjoying success early into his time with the A's. He posted a 3.08 ERA over 38 innings at Short-Season A Vermont for his first professional action in 2016. Bailey owns a 2.63 ERA in 48 innings for Beloit thus far in 2017, including 58 strikeouts, good for an impressive 10.88 K/9.
That success can be partially attributed to his arsenal of pitches, which is advanced for a Class A hurler. Bailey can run his four-seam fastball up to 94 MPH; he also features two breaking pitches, a slider in the mid-80s and a knuckle curve in the upper-70s. His go-to pitch is a four-seam change-up, ranging from 78-83, which he's comfortable using in any count.
"[One of my goals this year was] trying to develop better breaking pitches, specifically my slider," Bailey said. "And then I incorporated a spiked curve into the repertoire, just to give the hitter a different look, so then I can use the slider as a strikeout pitch later in the at-bat."
Bailey also sets specific statistical goals for himself heading into each season.
"I always try to have my strikeout-to-walk ratio 4 to 1," he said. "And then really specific goals, like first-pitch strikes for at least 60 percent of the hitters I face, just little things like that."
For Bailey, as a strikeout pitcher, pouring in strikes is the most important part of his game.
"I'm trying to strike everybody out. I think that should be the goal of any pitcher," he said. "If you're going to get somebody out, preferably it'll be a strikeout, and I think if you're filling up the zone, throwing strikes, strikeouts are obviously going to come."
Bailey's aggressive approach on the mound stems from scouts telling him that his size would be an issue in the future.
"I've always been a person who pitches with a chip on their shoulder," he said. "Being a smaller pitcher and coming up through high school and college and through the scouting process being constantly reminded you're a smaller guy, and for some reason that's a disadvantage.
"I've always, every time I step on the mound, try and pitch with that chip on my shoulder," Bailey continued. "Kind of try and prove everyone that told me it's a disadvantage wrong."
Bailey credited several players and coaches that he's met along the way, such as Snappers pitching coordinator Gil Patterson, Snappers pitching coach Carlos Chavez and Gonzaga pitching coach Brandon Harmon, for his success at the professional level. He also keeps in contact with his former teammate at Gonzaga, right-hander
"[Morgan] and I are kind of similar in the way we attack hitters, and our work ethic," Bailey said. "We go back and forth on what we're feeling like and what works for each other."
Bailey also mentioned meeting several other pitching prospects, including Athletics No. 2 prospect
"Just showing up the first day to Vermont and realizing you're rooming with A.J. Puk, and that he's going to be your catch partner," he said, "that's something for me, coming from a small school."
Bailey is thankful for the opportunities he's been given with the A's and the people he's met along the way.
"You hear about these guys, [Athletics No. 7 prospect]