Topic: Homer Bailey

David Dewitt "Homer" Bailey, Jr. (born May 3, 1986 in La Grange, Texas) is an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.

The Reds selected Bailey in the first round (seventh overall) of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the 2007 season, both Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus named Bailey the top prospect in the Reds' farm system. Because of his success at the minor league level, Bailey's debut was highly anticipated when he was called up to the Major League level in June 2007. He made his Major League debut on June 8, 2007, against the Cleveland Indians. At the time of his debut, Bailey was the youngest player in the National League.

Bailey, nicknamed "Homer" after his great-grandfather, attended La Grange High School. During La Grange's 2004 baseball season, Bailey won 15 games and lost none. Additionally, he had a 0.68 earned run average and 201 strikeouts in 92 2/3 innings pitched. That year, USA Today, named Bailey as a member of that year's USA Today All-USA high school baseball team and their High School National Player of the Year. Bailey completed his high school career with 41 wins, 4 losses, a 0.98 ERA, and 536 strikeouts in 298 innings pitched. In 2004, the Cincinnati Reds selected Bailey with the seventh pick in the Major League Baseball amateur draft.