Andrew Bailey

2013

Subscribe now to see our 2013 outlook.

2012

A forearm strain kept Bailey sidelined until late May, but he still managed to go 24-for-26 in save chances. The peripherals remain solid, though his durability may start to come into question following another season interrupted by injury following his 2010 when injuries limited him to 47 appearances. Bailey was traded to Boston in December, where he's expected to take over the ninth-inning role for the departed Jonathan Papelbon as part of the Red Sox's rebuilt bullpen.

2011

An oblique/back injury sidelined Bailey for over a month during the regular season, and a cleanup procedure on his elbow ended his season two weeks early, but he was a solid closer for the A's when healthy. He retained his excellent peripherals from his solid rookie breakout, allowing just 34 hits and 13 walks in 49 innings while fanning 42 and picking up 25 saves in the process. His numbers leading up his his minor elbow woes were solid (12 innings, seven hits, 15:3 K:BB) so there shouldn't be any concern bidding him up to full value in 2011. He's entrenched as the A's closer, and should eclipse 30 saves for the first time with the A's expected improvement on offense this winter.

2010

Bailey earned American League Rookie of the Year honors after racking up 26 saves, a 0.876 WHIP and a 1.84 ERA in an impressive debut season. He took advantage of some early season struggles from Brad Ziegler, and emerged as the A's closer by early June. Bailey had control issues coming up through the minors as a starter, but posted a nice 91:24 K:BB rate in 83.1 innings last season, and his numbers after the All-Star break (1.71 ERA, 0.726 WHIP, 31:5 K:BB in 31.2 innings) showed that his early season success was no fluke. It's hard to envision another season where he yields just 49 hits in 83.1 innings, but he'll enter the 2010 season as the A's clear-cut closer and no real weakness.

2009

Bailey took a big step back in 2008, still showing control problems (56 walks in 110.1 innings at Double-A Midland), and now slots in well behind the likes of Brett Anderson and Trevor Cahill among A's pitching prospects. His control doesn't project well as a full-time starter, but the A's see some potential for Bailey out of the bullpen, with 22 of his 37 appearances at Midland coming out of the bullpen before an impressive stint (14 innings, 16 hits, 16:1 K:BB ratio) in a relief role in the Arizona Fall League. The A's are loaded from the right side in the bullpen, making Bailey's value for this year and next tough to predict.

2008

Bailey rocketed all the way to Triple-A Sacramento for one start, skipping Double-A, after dominating hitters at Single-A in his first full pro season. On the year, he allowed just 101 hits and 54 walks in 125 innings while striking out 150 batters. While he doesn't do a very good job of keeping the ball on the ground, that shouldn't be a big concern given the A's current home park. He'll likely start the year at Triple-A, but the A's have a history of advancing pitchers quickly so a 2008 major league debut seems likely at some point.