Prospect Q&A: Josh Bailey
August 17, 2018
Josh Bailey
Class of 2019 / 2B
Player Information
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Graduating Class: 2019
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Primary Position: 2BSecondary Position: RHP
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High School: St. Joseph MadisonState: MS
- Summer Team: East Coast Sox
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Height: 6-1Weight: 165lbs
- Bat/Throw: R/R
Statistics
The Prep Baseball Report Mississippi scouting staff recently sat down with St. Joseph second baseman, Josh Bailey to discuss his recent commitment to Southwest Community College. Below is a transcript of our question and answer session:
PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?
Bailey: My expectations were that if I worked hard and played hard then I could earn the opportunity to play on the next level.
PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Bailey: It didn’t really matter to me how far away the college was.
PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Bailey: SMCC first saw me when my high school team was playing for the state championship. I started talking with the coaches after the MS Top Prospect Games and we built a solid relationship and then I went on a visit.
PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Bailey: Regi Grace from Madison Central was very good. He had a good fastball and solid curveball and was also a very good hitter.
PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were an elite player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Bailey: I’ve always wanted to play at the next level and I knew I could do it when my coaches would tell me that I had the talent to play on the next level and I just had to keep working hard.
PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Bailey: I was looking for a place with solid athletics and academics and somewhere that I could become a better player and person.
PBR: What is your best attribute as a baseball player and how does that transfer onto the field for your team?
Bailey: My best attribute is that I can play many positions and this transfers well because I can help the team in many places
PBR: What part of your game needs the biggest improvement, why, and what will you do to improve it?
Bailey: I need to continue to get stronger and faster. I will continue to workout hard and work on my agility.
PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Bailey: Trust in Gods plan, work hard and have fun every time you play the game.
PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?
Bailey: I workout and put in a lot of work in the cage and on the field.
PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Bailey: I like the coaching staff and the plan they have for me at SMCC. I wanted to go to a school with good coach and good academics.
Related Content
Scouting Report
7/17/18 Lean 6-foot-1, 165-pound frame, athletic build with room to add strength. Displayed athleticism, posting a 7.01 60-yard dash. Athletic defender with receptive hands, smooth footwork, and clean exchanges. Short arm action into high-3/4 release with accuracy on throws across, posting a positional velocity of 79 mph infield velocity. Right-handed hitter that hits from athletic, balanced setup with smooth knee-to-knee load and short stride, creating good separation with hands. Line-drive approach with fluid rhythm and tempo and a flat, on-plane path with bat speed that posted an exit velocity of 83 mph. The right-hander works from a high ¾ arm slot with a short arm action, and using in-line direction to the plate. His fastball sat 80-82 mph, topping 83 mph and was commanded for a strike. Curveball had 11/5 shape break with fastball hand-speed at 62-63 mph, and his changeup was down in the zone at 71-72 mph. Works with regular effort delivery with smooth rhythm, level shoulders, and an athletic finish.