Redsminorleagues.com

Saturday, January 20, 2007

Project Prospect 2006 Top 5 Rookie Pitchers

Photo by Tim Evearitt

Project Prospect took a look at the Top 5 Rookie Starting Pitchers for 2006, where they ranked Homer Bailey at #4. Here is what they have to say:

4. Homer Bailey, RHP, CIN: Bailey has all the credentials: great upper-nineties fastball, solid curveball, good size (6'4'', 200), and a hometown that shares its name with a ZZ Top song (La Grange, TX). There is one knock on Bailey, though: he was born May 3rd, 1986. Very few major league pitchers experience great success as 21-year-olds.

Opportunities do arise, however. Matt Cain pulled it off last season. If Bailey starts off 2007 by continuing to limit batters to under 6.60 hits per 9 innings while posting a strikeout rate above 10.0, then the Reds will give him an opportunity -- their staff needs serious help.

Bailey could conceivably get 10-15 starts with the big league club, and if he’s called up it means he’s in rhythm and in peak form, ready to post good numbers.

I like what they said, and most of its true. Although like I posted last week, there has been some recent success with pitchers 21 and younger in the majors. The only thing I disagree with is that I truly think Homer gets more than 15 starts next season.