Visit To Xavier Sold Bailey On His Future Home

Connor Bailey RHP / OF / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2020

MEDINA - A college visit to Xavier sold Connor Bailey on his future destination.

“I took a visit and went to a game,” the Walsh Jesuit senior-to-be said. “It was exciting to see the energy in the dugout and the energy the coaches brought as well.

“The following day I visited the campus and that sold me on the academic side. It made it seem like I can succeed on both sides, academics and athletics. When I stepped on campus it felt like a place I could be for four years. I really liked the overall feel.”

It was then that the 28th-ranked 2020 player in Ohio made his decision.

“I had other visits set up, but after Xavier I knew this was where I wanted to be,” Bailey said.

Making an official commitment official brought a sense of satisfaction to the 6-4 190-pound right-handed pitcher.

“It’s a huge relief knowing where I’m going and not having to worry about setting up a bunch of visits and showcases over the summer and the pressure to be good enough,” Bailey admitted. “It feels good to know where I’m going and to be able to focus on having fun, growing and developing and not being stressed who’s behind the plate with a gun.”

It also has Bailey reaching a long-time dream of playing Division I college baseball.

“The winter before my sophomore year I got my first offer from Dayton,” Bailey reflected. “Everyone said that’s awesome and that they think I should take it. What it did was give me confidence that I belong in D-I and was the start of this becoming a reality.”

A center fielder as a freshman, development as a pitcher quickly changed the outlook for Bailey.

“I started pitching a little in JV and freshman games but played center field more,” Bailey explained. “Then my sophomore year at tryouts I was 85-86 and they made me a PO. They said we can see you developing. This year I threw a lot of innings with a loaded pitching staff.”

Before the season was over, Bailey had made his college commitment.