Javier Baez is doing a good job of shaking off the rust. After missing close to two months with a broken finger, Baez has picked up where he left off.
Baez had only one hit Tuesday in Iowa’s 6-5 win over Colorado Springs. But it was a big hit. Baez smacked a towering, two-run homer in the eighth inning.
Javier Baez finished the game 1-for-5 with a home run and two RBI, and he did not strikeout in five plate appearances.
Javier Baez has played in 45 games for Iowa in what has been a very difficult season for the 22-year old. Baez has hit .315/.388/.573 with 11 doubles, a triple and 11 home runs for a .961 OPS. Baez has 14 walks and 53 strikeouts in 178 at bats.
Since returning to Iowa, Baez is 12-for-38 in eight games with four doubles, a triple and three home runs (.316/.395/.711). Baez has nine extra basehits, three singles, three walks and 13 strikeouts in 41 plate appearances. Baez has seen a majority of his playing time at short since he was activated from the disabled list.
Once Baez starts moving around the infield again that could be a sign a promotion is not far behind. The front office has shown in the past that they prefer for Baez to play shortstop when they would like for him to focus on other things … basically keeping him in his comfort zone to get other aspects of his game on track.
Joe Maddon said earlier in the week that the Cubs are not in a rush to promote Baez. The Cubs would like to see him play several games and get into a rhythm before he is recalled. As Maddon pointed out, an injury occurring at the big league level could change the team’s timeframe on Baez.
Javier Baez should have an impact in the majors and help the team win games. A full month of games to build his confidence would put Baez in line to be back in the majors by at least Sept. 1 when the roster expands. And he will give Maddon another option, at the very least, in the field and on the bases late in games.