Luke Bailey, Prep Catcher

[RyDogg66]

What is this guy's status? Is he still planning on coming out in this years draft considering his TJ surgery? I read that he was the top catcher in the class before his injury. Could he be drafted and signed by the Brewers at #26?

[brewerguy71]

Bailey would be a tremendous risk for the Brewers at #26. He will go top 5 rounds still, but his injury killed his prospects of going in the first round. If the Brewers needed/wanted to take a catcher at that pick, Stassi will maybe be available and is a safer pick. If Bailey were around in the 3rd round still when the Brewers pick it wouldnt be an awful choice.

[RyDogg66]

Thanks. What sparked my question was reading that NY, BOS and LAA were mentioned as targets for this guy in the late first, then I read a mock that had him going to Milwaukee at 26 and further research into the guy showed that he has a big bat and was supposed to be the #1 prep catcher before he got hurt.

 

Maybe with the late second round pick if he is still there, but my guess is a team like LAA picks him earlier than that.

[colbyjack]

I know the success rate for players returning from TJ surgery is pretty good these days, but I wouldn't risk it. Not early, and not with a pitcher or a catcher. Let a team like the Yankees, Red Sox or Angels go out and spend a lot of money on such a risk. Nick Adenhart may have been one success story (prior to his tragic death of course), but as brewerguy71 already noted, the Brewers really aren't in a position to take such risks.

[battlekow]

Project Prospect has the Brewers taking Bailey in the first round.