Patrick Bailey expresses excitement about joining the Cleveland Guardians after being traded from another team. He feels eager to start this new chapter in his career.
Key points
Patrick Bailey traded to Cleveland Guardians
Guardians traded Matt Wilkinson and a first-round pick
Bailey excited about joining the team
Arrived in Cleveland on May 9
Bailey was the 13th overall pick in 2020 MLB Draft
And the 26-year old couldn't wait to get things going.
"I feel like a kid on Christmas eve," he said. "I'm ready to get going and see what's under the tree."
The Guardians have known about Bailey for a long time and know exactly what they're getting in the first-round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft (No. 13 overall).
Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iv‡n Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium.
Cleveland Guardians center fielder Daniel Schneemann, left, almost collides with right fielder Angel Martinez as he catches a fly ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson (not pictured) on April 13, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri.
Q&A
Who was traded to the Cleveland Guardians?
Patrick Bailey was traded to the Cleveland Guardians.
What did the Cleveland Guardians give up for Patrick Bailey?
The Guardians traded Matt Wilkinson and a first-round compensatory pick for Patrick Bailey.
When did Patrick Bailey arrive in Cleveland?
Patrick Bailey arrived in Cleveland on Saturday, May 9.
What was Patrick Bailey's draft position in the 2020 MLB Draft?
Patrick Bailey was the 13th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft.
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Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning on April 12, 2026, in Cumberland, Georgia.
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick throws against the Atlanta Braves on April 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Cleveland Guardians rookie Juan Brito hits a double for his first career hit during the second inning of his Major League debut against the Kansas City Royals on April 7, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the franchise's all time leader in games played during a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 6, 2026, in Cleveland.
Cleveland Guardians' CJ Kayfus celebrates his solo home run with designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on April 5, 2026, in Cleveland.
Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) makes a catch in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs.
Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez slides safely into second base during the home opener against the Chicago Cubs, April 3, 2026, in Cleveland.
Apr 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann (10) steals third base during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
Mar 29, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) scores a run off an RBI double hit by Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
Mar 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) celegbrates with centerfielder Steven Kwan (38) after hitting a two-run home run during the tenth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
Mar 27, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
Mar 26, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
1 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iv‡n Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium.
1 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Apr 14, 2026; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Iv‡n Herrera (48) tags out Cleveland Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo (9) during the fourth inning at Busch Stadium.
2 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Cleveland Guardians center fielder Daniel Schneemann, left, almost collides with right fielder Angel Martinez as he catches a fly ball hit by St. Louis Cardinals' Alec Burleson (not pictured) on April 13, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri.
3 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the ninth inning on April 12, 2026, in Cumberland, Georgia.
4 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Cleveland Guardians starting pitcher Parker Messick throws against the Atlanta Braves on April 11, 2026, in Atlanta, Georgia.
5 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Apr 10, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the second inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
6 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Apr 8, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians left fielder Angel Martinez (1) celebrates after hitting a grand slam during the eighth inning against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
7 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Cleveland Guardians rookie Juan Brito hits a double for his first career hit during the second inning of his Major League debut against the Kansas City Royals on April 7, 2026, in Cleveland.
8 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Cleveland Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the franchise's all time leader in games played during a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 6, 2026, in Cleveland.
9 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Cleveland Guardians' CJ Kayfus celebrates his solo home run with designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on April 5, 2026, in Cleveland.
10 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Apr 5, 2026; Cleveland, Ohio, USA; Cleveland Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio (4) makes a catch in the fifth inning against the Chicago Cubs.
11 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez slides safely into second base during the home opener against the Chicago Cubs, April 3, 2026, in Cleveland.
12 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Apr 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann (10) steals third base during the third inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
13 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers two-way player Shohei Ohtani (17) throws to the plate during the first inning against the Cleveland Guardians at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
14 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 30, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Cleveland Guardians catcher Austin Hedges (27) reacts after hitting a double against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images
15 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 29, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners center fielder Julio Rodriguez (44) scores a run off an RBI double hit by Seattle Mariners left fielder Randy Arozarena (56) during the fifth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
16 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 28, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians designated hitter Chase DeLauter (24) celegbrates with centerfielder Steven Kwan (38) after hitting a two-run home run during the tenth inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park.
17 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 27, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) rounds the bases after hitting a solo home run during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images
18 / 18
Cleveland Guardians photo of the day: Best images from each 2026 game
Mar 26, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Cleveland Guardians right fielder Chase DeLauter (24) runs the bases after hitting a home run against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images
What Patrick Bailey thinks of catching for the Guardians
Bailey’s Defensive Runs Above Average (DEF) of 102.4 is the highest in MLB since 2020, according to Fangraphs.com. Bailey (102.4) and veteran Cleveland catcher Austin Hedges (81.3) hold the highest DEF ratings in MLB since 2021.
Add that to an historically strong Cleveland pitching staff and fitting in with the Guardians shouldn't be that difficult.
"I'm ready to get out there," Bailey said. "I've been waiting to play with Hedges my whole career. To be able to work with him and learn from him. I'm super pumped."
May 1, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) reacts to a strike during the third inning against Tampa Bay Rays.
May 1, 2026; St. Petersburg, Florida, USA; San Francisco Giants catcher Patrick Bailey (14) reacts to a strike during the third inning against Tampa Bay Rays.
What are some of the concerns Patrick Bailey has with the Guardians
Bailey is not worried about learning what all 13 pitchers on the Guardians staff like.
"It's communication and making the effort to talk to the coaching staff and the pitching staff," he said. "Obviously, there are a ton of resources around here. I was trying to do a little bit of research here on the flight and get a head start. At the end of the day, when I catch them it's getting a feel for them. You like this target. You don't like this target. You like this call. You don't like this call."
For now, Bailey's biggest worry is grabbing a phonebook.
"I'm just trying to get a feel for everybody," he said. "I've got no chance of getting everybody's names right. This place is incredible. It's beautiful. It has every resource anyone could ask for.
"... The best thing I can do is show that I care, show that I want to get to know them and what makes them tick, what cues they need on the mound. At the end of the day, go out and play, and let my game earn that respect as well."
Newly acquired Guardians catcher modeled his game after longtime St. Louis Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina, left.
Newly acquired Guardians catcher modeled his game after longtime St. Louis Cardinals backstop Yadier Molina, left.
Molina played all 19 of his Major League seasons with the Cardinals and was a 10-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner and two-time World Series champion.
Bailey already has two Gold Gloves to his name.
"I always admired how he went about his game," Bailey said. "It always came so easy to him. It's something I always try do. His reputation as a game caller and game manager."
Patrick Bailey's hitting plans for the American League
Bailey is well aware of his .146 batting average this season and knows he's a career .224 hitter.
That said, he's only two-plus seasons removed from his time with the Richmond Flying Squirrels where he batted .333 with two home runs, 10 RBIs and an .881 OPS at the start of the 2023 minor league season.
"That's something that we're still working on," Bailey said. "I'm just trying to get confident in the swing in the cage to take out onto the field. I'm excited to get a fresh start here.
"I'm super confident in my ability to hit. I know I've shown spurts of being a really good hitter. I'm confident that swing will show up."