Scouting grades 20–80
35Hit
70Power
35Run
45Field
50Arm
Bailey was a well known prep bat out of Lincoln high school in Tallahasee, Florida and got drafted by the White Sox in the 20th round in 2024. Despite this, Bailey had his sights clearly focused on staying in Tallahasee and becoming a Nole. He'll be a draft eligible sophmore in 2026, and looks to build on an astounding freshman year.
Bailey might possess more power than anybody in the 2026 class. It's 70 grade or better raw power, and 90th percentile exit velocities and average exit velocities that rank at the very top of the class. Simply put, Bailey can hit the ball very, very hard. Bailey's numbers on the surface don't look alarming - a .327 average with 19 homeruns - the under the hood metrics tell a completely different story. Bailey's whiff rates in 2025 ranked amongst the worst in the class. He put up an overall whiff rate of 43 percent, along with an in-zone rate of 32 percent and out of zone rate of 67 percent. These numbers just simply aren't going to be sustainable for a player to hit at the next level, and will need to improve substantially if Bailey want's to hear his name called in what some think could end up the early rounds. While the contact skills lack drastically, Bailey's contact quality when he does hit the ball is excellent.
Bailey is likely a first baseman long term. He's a below average runner with average arm strength who is likely an average defender at the position. Bailey has plenty to prove in 2026, and will need to reasure scouts on the hit tool if he is to reach his cieling as a draft pick.
