The Cubs selected Javier Baez out of Arlington County Day School (HS) in Jacksonville with the ninth pick in the 2011 draft. The 6-foot-1, 205-pound shortstop throws and bats right-handed. Baez hit .771 with 22 home runs, 20 doubles and six triples in his senior year in high school. Baez swiped 28 bases and walked 32 times with only three strikeouts.
Javier Baez (18 years old, 12/01/92) is originally from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. From Baseball America:
Javier Baez’s bat is too good to ignore and offensively he has few peers in this year’s draft. Baez has the fastest bat in the draft, and while he has dead-pull approach at times, he has the bat speed to let balls get deep in the zone.
Baez has plus raw power, which may serve him well if he has to move to third base. Baez has the defensive tools to stay at shortstop until he outgrows the position. He possesses enough arm to play either third or short and the tools to be a catcher.
Baez plays with energy but not always positive energy and he turns off some scouts with emotional outbursts and an off-field demeanor some describe as aloof.
Baez is one of the best prep bats in the class, with power and a chance to hit for average as well. He played shortstop in high school but is believed to be headed for third base as a pro. The swing is a bit long but there’s bat speed to spare and the Cubs are big on upside talent.
Hitting
The bat is what’s going to make Baez special. He has an advanced feel with the bat and drives the ball with authority to all parts of the park. He’s willing to shoot the ball to right field or spin on an inside fastball. This is as complete a hitter as there is in the 2011 draft class. Baez is mechanically sound and rarely expands the zone.
Fielding
He has the tools to play shortstop, but his plus arm may make him a better fit at third base as he gets a bit older. There’s also been talk of putting his stocky, athletic frame and plus arm behind the plate for the long term.
Click Here for Report on Baez from Cubs.com
Click Here for Report on Baez from the Sun-Times
2011 Draft Schedule
11:00am CDT – Tuesday, June 7 – Rounds 2-30
11:00am CDT – Wednesday, June 8 – Rounds 31-50
The CCO will post updates as the selections are announced.
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Day Two of the 2011 MLB First-Year Player Draft
Second Round – Daniel Vogelbach, 1B from Bishop Verot (HS) in Florida with the 68th pick in the 2nd round, 6-foot, 250 lbs, Bats: L, Throws: R
Third Round – Ezekiel DeVoss, CF from Miami, FL with the 98th pick in the 3rd round, 5-foot-10, 175 lbs, Bats: S, Throws: R
Fourth Round – Tony Zych, RHP from Louisville with the 129th pick in the 4th round, 6-foot-3, 190 lbs
Fifth Round – Tayler Scott, RHP from Notre Dame (HS), Arizona with the 159th pick in the 5th round, 6-foot-3, 165 lbs
Sixth Round – Neftali Rosario, C from Puerto Rico BB Academy (HS) with the 189th pick in the 6th round, 5-foot-11, 193 lbs, Bats: R, Throws: R
Seventh Round – Trevor Gretzky, 1B from Oaks Christian (HS), CA with the 219th pick in the 7th round, 6-foot-4, 190 lbs Bats: L, Throws: L
Eighth Round – Taylor Dugas, CF from University of Alabama with the 249th pick in the 8th round, 5-foot-8, 170 lbs, Bats: L, Throws: L
Ninth Round – Garrett Schlecht, RF from Waterloo (HS), IL with the 279th pick in the 9th round, 6-foot-2, Bats: L, Throws: L
Tenth Round – Daniel Lockhart, SS from Hebron Christian Academy, GA with the 309th pick in the 10th round, 5-foot-11, 165 lbs, Bats: L, Throws: R
Eleventh Round – Shawon Dunston, Jr., CF from Valley Christian, CA (HS) with the 339th pick in the 11th round, 6-foot-2, 170 lbs, Bats: L, Throws: R