Minor League Spotlight: Homer Bailey

Minor League Spotlight is the FanHouse's look into baseball's minor leagues. Although you probably figured that out already.

Remember one of everyone's favorite prospects in the early part of this spring, Reds' fireballer and rotation darkhorse Homer Bailey? Well, he made his first start in AAA on Sunday and it's pretty safe to say that things went well.

The reports from the minor-league people were that [Bailey] was sticking to the program and making progress.

The results showed Sunday night in his Triple-A debut.

Bailey went 5 1/3 innings and allowed only one run on one hit in the Bats' 13-3 victory over Toledo. First base prospect Joey Votto hit a grand slam and drove in five runs.

The run Bailey allowed came on a solo home run in the fourth by veteran Timo Perez.

Now, I suppose giving up a home run to Timo Perez is probably something I'd be concerned about, but since it was the only hit he gave up in 5 and 1/3 innings of work we can let it slide. His control, the reason he was sent down in the first place, is still a bit of a concern, though. He walked three batters to go with his 4 strikeouts and the official boxscore says he only threw 42 of 83 pitches for strikes, barely half. Still, with Eric Milton, Kyle Lohse, and Matt Belisle in the rotation you've got to wonder how long that will keep him in AAA if he keeps being so difficult to hit.

He still needs a haircut, though.

Previously at the Fanhouse
If Bronson Arroyo Jumped Off a Bridge, Homer Bailey Would Totally Follow