Jeff Bailey
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey Todd Bailey is a first baseman
, outfielder
, and designated hitter
who is currently in the Minnesota Twins
organization. He formerly played catcher
until a throwing disorder prompted him to change positions. Bailey grew up in Kelso
, Washington and graduated from Kelso High School.
in the 2nd round (64th overall) of the draft. Bailey began his professional career in 1997 playing for the Gulf Coast League Marlins
and played in the Marlins minor league system until .
In March the Marlins traded him to Montreal Expos
for a player to be named later (Wilson Valdéz
). He played in the Expos system until October when he granted his free agency.
Bailey was signed as a free agent
by the Red Sox organization first on November 7, 2003, then again on December 15, , December 10, and December 13, .
Between 2004 and , Bailey split time between Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
. In 2006, he played the entire season playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox and had a .275 batting average
, 82 RBI
, and 22 home run
s in 134 games.
Bailey participated in the Red Sox' 2007 spring training
before being sent back to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was called up from Pawtucket on July 6, 2007, and made his MLB debut for the Red Sox replacing the injured Kevin Youkilis
at first base, going 0-4. His first major league hit was a home run on July 8, against Detroit Tigers
southpaw Nate Robertson
. Bailey was optioned back to Pawtucket on July 12, 2007, to make room on the active roster for pitcher Joel Piñeiro
.
Bailey participated in the Red Sox spring training camp, but was reassigned to minor league camp on March 8.
Bailey had very good beginning to the 2008 season in Pawtucket, hitting well over .300 by the end of May. Bailey's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on May 30, 2008. On August 26, 2008 after being called up by the Red Sox, he was denied entry to Yankee Stadium
, with security believing he was a fan trying to get in without a ticket. Eventually he was allowed in after they discovered he was a member of the Boston Red Sox, and he drove in two runs to help give the Red Sox a win 7 to 3. Bailey finished the 2008 season having played 27 games in the majors and batted .280 with two home runs and six RBIs.
On February 6, 2009, Bailey was outrighted off the 40-man roster to create roster space for re-signed catcher Jason Varitek
. Bailey refused the assignment and became a free agent
but was immediately re-signed to a minor league contract by the Red Sox and was invited to major league spring training.
Early in the 2009 season, Kevin Youkilis
went on the DL, and Bailey was called to fill in his spot. On June 2, 2009 was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket
after Mark Kotsay
being activated off the DL. He was once again called to the majors on June 30, after Mike Lowell
was placed on the DL. Bailey was designated for assignment on September 1, 2009. In October 2009, Bailey was granted free agency.
On December 28, 2009, Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
with an invitation to spring training.
On November 20, 2010, Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins
with an invitation to spring training.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
who is currently in the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
organization. He formerly played catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
until a throwing disorder prompted him to change positions. Bailey grew up in Kelso
Kelso, Washington
Kelso is a city in southwest Washington State, United States, and is the county seat of Cowlitz County. At the 2010 census, the population was 11,925. Kelso is part of the Longview, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a population of 102,410. Kelso shares its long western border...
, Washington and graduated from Kelso High School.
Professional career
Bailey was selected by the Florida MarlinsFlorida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
in the 2nd round (64th overall) of the draft. Bailey began his professional career in 1997 playing for the Gulf Coast League Marlins
Gulf Coast Marlins
The Gulf Coast League Marlins are one of the Rookie Level minor league affiliates of the Miami Marlins. The team plays in Jupiter, Florida, at Roger Dean Stadium...
and played in the Marlins minor league system until .
In March the Marlins traded him to Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
for a player to be named later (Wilson Valdéz
Wilson Valdéz
Wilson Antonio Valdez is a Major League Baseball utility infielder for the Philadelphia Phillies.-Early career:Valdez was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Montreal Expos on February 4, 1997...
). He played in the Expos system until October when he granted his free agency.
Bailey was signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
by the Red Sox organization first on November 7, 2003, then again on December 15, , December 10, and December 13, .
Between 2004 and , Bailey split time between Double-A Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
and Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
. In 2006, he played the entire season playing for the Pawtucket Red Sox and had a .275 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 82 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and 22 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in 134 games.
Bailey participated in the Red Sox' 2007 spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
before being sent back to the Pawtucket Red Sox. He was called up from Pawtucket on July 6, 2007, and made his MLB debut for the Red Sox replacing the injured Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
at first base, going 0-4. His first major league hit was a home run on July 8, against Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
southpaw Nate Robertson
Nate Robertson
Nathan Daniel "Nate" Robertson, is a Major League Baseball pitcher who currently pitches in the Seattle Mariners organization.-Florida Marlins:...
. Bailey was optioned back to Pawtucket on July 12, 2007, to make room on the active roster for pitcher Joel Piñeiro
Joel Piñeiro
Joel Alberto Piñeiro is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is right-handed and made his major league debut on August 8, .-Career:...
.
Bailey participated in the Red Sox spring training camp, but was reassigned to minor league camp on March 8.
Bailey had very good beginning to the 2008 season in Pawtucket, hitting well over .300 by the end of May. Bailey's contract was purchased by the Red Sox on May 30, 2008. On August 26, 2008 after being called up by the Red Sox, he was denied entry to Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, with security believing he was a fan trying to get in without a ticket. Eventually he was allowed in after they discovered he was a member of the Boston Red Sox, and he drove in two runs to help give the Red Sox a win 7 to 3. Bailey finished the 2008 season having played 27 games in the majors and batted .280 with two home runs and six RBIs.
On February 6, 2009, Bailey was outrighted off the 40-man roster to create roster space for re-signed catcher Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
. Bailey refused the assignment and became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
but was immediately re-signed to a minor league contract by the Red Sox and was invited to major league spring training.
Early in the 2009 season, Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Youkilis
Kevin Edmund Youkilis , also known as "Youk" , is an American professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
went on the DL, and Bailey was called to fill in his spot. On June 2, 2009 was optioned back to Triple-A Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
after Mark Kotsay
Mark Kotsay
Mark Steven Kotsay is an American professional baseball outfielder with the San Diego Padres...
being activated off the DL. He was once again called to the majors on June 30, after Mike Lowell
Mike Lowell
Michael Averett Lowell is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball third baseman. During a 13-year career, Lowell played for the New York Yankees , Florida Marlins , and the Boston Red Sox...
was placed on the DL. Bailey was designated for assignment on September 1, 2009. In October 2009, Bailey was granted free agency.
On December 28, 2009, Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
with an invitation to spring training.
On November 20, 2010, Bailey signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
with an invitation to spring training.
External links
- Soxprospects.com Bio / statistics
- Minor League Baseball stats