Homer Bailey Promoted to Chattanooga

Like I posted yesterday, the rumor was that Homer Bailey was going to be promoted to Chattanooga, but no one would comment on it. Well today they did.

Three months ago during spring training, Cincinnati Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky offered a simple assessment of the expectations regarding the organization's No. 1 prospect.

"If Homer Bailey pitches this season with Sarasota, that will be good," Krivsky said in late March of the then 19-year-old. "And, if Homer Bailey pitches half the season with Class A Sarasota and the other half with Double A Chattanooga, that would be better."

Well, Krivsky is feeling better this morning as the now 20-year-old Bailey – Cincinnati's No. 1 draft selection in 2004 and who received a $2.3 million signing bonus – is on his way to becoming a member of Chattanooga manager Jayhawk Owens' staff.

That's what Krivsky confirmed to Hall of Fame writer Hal McCoy of the Dayton Daily News during the Reds' home game against the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon at Great American Ball Park when he said, "Homer Bailey's next start will be for Chattanooga."

The much-anticipated promotion was one of hot topics during this weekend's 45th Florida State League All-Star Game in Lakeland when Bailey needed only 12 pitches – 10 of which were strikes – to get his three batters to strike out swinging in the top of the second inning.

The 6-foot-4, 205-pound Bailey pitched well for the SaraReds during the first half as his deceiving record of 3-5 is followed by an improving earned run average of 3.31. In 13 starts, Bailey walked 22 and struck out 79 and opposing hitters have a measly .189 batting average.

Bailey's pitches were consistently in the mid-90 mph range and he continued to improve on his off speed pitches, particularly a tantalizing seemingly easy-to-hit curveball.

One of Krivsky's toughest assignments has been to keep the excitement regarding Bailey's tremendous potential on an even keel.

"He is very good and has so much potential. And, he's so young."

Phil Denis wrote this, read it all here at the Sarasota Herald Tribune