Bailey admits first MLB homer was his 'best' righty swing ever originally appeared on NBC Sports Bayarea
Patrick Bailey's dream start to his MLB career continues.
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A day after notching his first career hit with the Giants, the switch-hitting Bailey smashed his first career home run from the right side in San Francisco's 7-5 win against the Miami Marlins on Sunday.
Although he is a natural righty, Bailey offered a candid view on his 107.4-mph, 423-foot homer against Marlins starter Jesús Luzardo.
"Yeah, it was definitely pretty cool," Bailey told Carlos Ramírez and Shawn Estes on "Giants Postgame Live" after the win. "Probably the best right-handed swing I've ever taken in professional baseball so hopefully more to come."
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Bailey recalled to Ramírez and Estes that while Luzardo had an effective assortment of pitches, the 23-year-old ultimately was looking for a ball to drive and he got one in the form of a belt-high 98-mph fastball in a 3-2 count.
Once he saw that pitch coming, Bailey just swung the bat and the rest is history.
Against Miami (24-23) on Sunday, Bailey went 1-for-3 with two RBI, helping San Francisco end its six-game homestand with five wins.
Fellow rookie Casey Schmitt also had a memorable afternoon, registering two hits in his four plate appearances with an RBI.
"I think you always have to expect the young players are going to have some ups and downs and some struggles," Giants manager Gabe Kapler told reporters after the game. "It's always nice when they have the ups first because it kind of sets the tone and brings a lot of energy to the ballpark but they're not going to be without bumps and bruises along the way."
Kapler added that he wasn't surprised to see Bailey and Schmitt producing for the Giants early in their careers because of the duo's pedigree and track record before being called up.
"Both of these guys are first-round picks with great athleticism, tested power, good skills and equipped to do what they've done so far," Kapler concluded.
In all, despite a very small sample size of success hitting as a righty in the big leagues, Bailey is more focused on helping the team win rather than on which side of the plate his splits look better.
"If you look at it statistically, it is, but it was really cool to come out here and contribute from the right side and behind the plate. So it's exciting," Bailey concluded.
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As the Giants (22-24) head to Minnesota (25-22) to take on the Twins at Target Field on Monday to begin a three-game series, fans will be watching Bailey and how he fares from the left side of the plate, especially against right-hander Bailey Ober (1.78 ERA).
Though if the power he displayed on the right side against the Marlins on Sunday is any indication, Bailey's left-handed power should be a sight to behold.