Javier Baez is inching closer to being recalled from Triple-A Iowa and that promotion could happen as soon as this week according to reports, more than likely by June 11 or at least by the time the Cubs open a five-game road trip in Cleveland on June 17.
Baez bounced back from and 0-for-5 performance on June 4 that included four strikeouts with a hit in five at bats on Friday night and two more hits on Saturday. Baez has hit safely in eight of his last nine games.
Iowa lost to Memphis again Saturday night, 7-2, and the only two runs scored on a mammoth homer off the bat of Javier Baez in the eighth inning. Baez hit a light tower with his eighth longball of the season.
In the field, Baez was charged with his first error at third base, a fielding error in the third inning that opened the door to a five-run third inning for the Redbirds.
Offensively, Javier Baez has not slowed down playing third base. And the front office has received good reports about his defense and has liked what they have seen from him at the hot corner.
Over his last six games, four at third base, Baez is 9-for-26 with a double, three home runs, a walk and eight strikeouts (.346/.414/.731) for a 1.145 OPS.
After 36 games, Javier Baez is batting .314/.387/.540 with seven doubles, eight home runs, 11 walks and 40 strikeouts for a .927 OPS.
Once Baez is recalled it will be interesting to see how Joe Maddon, the coaching staff and front office fit all of the pieces together that hopefully will improve the team’s defense and offensive production.