Javier Báez

Javier Báez

Báez with the Chicago Cubs in 2016
Chicago Cubs – No. 9
Infielder
Born: (1992-12-01) December 1, 1992
Bayamón, Puerto Rico
Bats: Right Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 5, 2014, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
(through 2016 season)
Batting average .247
Home runs 24
Runs batted in 83
Stolen bases 18
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Ednel Javier "Javy" Báez (born December 1, 1992) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). Born in Puerto Rico, Báez attended high school in Jacksonville, Florida, and starred for his school's baseball team. The Cubs selected Báez with the ninth overall selection of the 2011 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut on August 5, 2014.

He is the first player for the Cubs to steal home in a postseason game since Jimmy Slagle in 1907. On October 2016, Báez was named NLCS co-MVP alongside left-handed starter Jon Lester as the Chicago Cubs clinched their 2016 National League pennant.

Early life and introduction to baseball

Born and raised in Puerto Rico, Báez moved to Florida in 2005 along with his mother and siblings, three brothers and a sister.[1] The move was so that his sister, Noely, could get medical treatment for her spina bifida condition.[2] In Puerto Rico he and his two brothers, Gadiel and Rolando, became familiar with the sport through their father, Ángel Luis Baez who, before his death when Javier was ten, heavily influenced their life and was responsible for their interest in baseball.[2] The brothers would later immortalize this interest by getting tattoos of Major League Baseball's logo, which symbolized that "baseball has been in [their] lives forever."[2] Rolando was the first to become a professional baseball player, being drafted by the San Diego Padres in 2002.[3] As a middle school student, it took time for Javier to adapt because he was unable to fluently speak or understand English.[1] Báez eventually learned the language through trial and error in a process that lasted for three years, memorizing words before knowing their actual meaning.[1]

Báez played the last two years of his secondary education for Arlington Country Day School (ACD) in Jacksonville, Florida. His coach at ACD, Ron Dickerson, noted that initially scouts were not impressed by him, noting his talent, but not believing he could become a star.[1] Dickerson emphasized that Báez's work ethic was responsible for positioning him as a real prospect.[1] As a sophomore he had a .463 batting average with 38 hits, of which nine were doubles and 13 were home runs.[4] Making 82 plate appearances in 25 games, he also gathered 60 runs batted in (RBIs). By the time that his junior season was over, Báez was a highly rated Aflac All-American.[1] In his senior season, he recorded 64 hits in 83 at-bats to gather an average of .771, which included 20 doubles and 22 home runs. In total, Báez recorded 52 RBIs in 30 games.[4] During his time at ACD, he never played a position steadily. After working at second base, Báez was moved to shortstop once the team lost a player.[5] Besides these positions, he also played as a center fielder and as a catcher.[6]

Professional career

Minor leagues

The Chicago Cubs, led by Jim Hendry, selected Báez in the first round, with the ninth overall selection, of the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft.[3][7] He began his professional career by playing shortstop for the Arizona Cubs of the Rookie-level Arizona League, where he only played in three games, recording three hits, including two doubles, in 12 at-bats and two stolen bases.[8] Promoted to the Boise Hawks of the Class A-Short Season Northwest League, Báez recorded one single in six at bats across two games.[9] On September 29, 2011, he was selected third overall by the Leones de Ponce in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente's (LBPRC) rookie draft, but has yet to play there due to the Cubs' limitations.[10]

Before the 2012 season, MLB.com rated Báez as the 62nd best prospect in baseball.[11] He remained with the Cubs in extended spring training with other prospects, participating in 26 games and hitting 6 doubles, 3 triples and 8 home runs, with 28 RBI, 11 stolen bases, and 23 strikeouts in 94 plate appearances.[12] He made his regular season debut with the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League.[13] He was promoted to the Daytona Cubs of the Class A-Advanced Florida State League (FSL).[13] Baseball America included Báez in two of its "Best Tools" lists, naming him the "Most Exciting Player in the Midwest League" and the "Best Defensive Infielder" in the Chicago Cubs system.[14]

Báez batting in the Florida State League All-Star Game while with the Daytona Cubs in 2013

Before the 2013 season, MLB.com rated Báez as the 16th best prospect in baseball.[15] The Cubs invited him to join their major league team in spring training, competing in the Cactus League. Báez hit four home runs in five at-bats over the course of two games,[16] including in an unofficial exhibition game against the Japanese national baseball team that was preparing for the 2013 World Baseball Classic.[17][18] He concluded spring training with a .298 batting average and 10 RBIs.[19] Báez returned to the Daytona Cubs to open the 2013 season. On June 10, 2013, Báez hit four home runs in one game, becoming the second player to do so in the history of the FSL.[20] Báez was named one of the five finalists in the fan vote for the final spot on the World Team's roster for the 2013 All-Star Futures Game, but he finished second to Carlos Correa.[21]

On July 6, 2013, the Cubs promoted Báez to the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League after displaying more plate discipline and walking more often during the previous month.[22] Báez was named to both the FSL and Southern League All-Star teams at the conclusion of the season.[23][24] The Cubs named him their Minor League Player of the Year, closing the season as the top-ranked prospect in the team's system and third overall in the Southern League.[25][26] On October 28, 2013, Báez won the MiLBY Award for Best Minor League Game of the Year, recognizing his four-home run game.[27]

The Cubs invited Báez to spring training in 2014. An injury suffered by Starlin Castro allowed him regular playing time. To increase his versatility, Báez began practicing at second base and third base.[28] He was reassigned to Minor League camp during the final week of spring training.[29] Bothered by a back injury, he opened his participation with the Iowa Cubs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League (PCL) immersed in a slump, with his only hit in 20 at bats being the first home run of the season.[30][31] During the second week of the season, Báez had his first multi-hit game and hit a second home run before being placed on the seven-day disabled list with an ankle sprain. Báez slumped following his return, and his batting average fell below .150 in May, while his strikeout-to-walk ratio worsened. With a more patient approach at the plate, Báez began a hitting streak on May 16, 2014. On May 26, 2014, Báez was named the PCL Player of the Week for the previous week.[32]

On May 22, 2014, the Cangrejeros de Santurce of the LBPRC signed Báez by exploiting a legal loophole that allowed players to be considered free agents unless properly signed within three years of being drafted.[33] However, the Leones de Ponce quickly reclaimed his local player rights, claiming that they had approached him with the intent of formalizing a contract but that the "extreme fatigue" clause of the Winter League Agreement had interfered.[34]

Chicago Cubs

2014

On August 5, the Cubs promoted Báez to the major leagues.[35] In his debut that day, he hit his first career home run; the game-winner in the 12th inning victory against the Colorado Rockies, becoming the first player since Miguel Cabrera in 2003 to hit an extra innings home run in his debut.[36] In his third game, Báez hit two home runs, becoming the first player since Joe Cunningham in 1954 to hit three home runs in his first three MLB games.[37] On August 18, 2014, Báez hit his fifth home run in 14 games, joining Jason Kipnis as the only other second baseman to do so in the last 100 years.[38]

On September 2, Castro injured himself in an awkward slide at home plate and did not return for the remainder of the year.[39] Báez finished the season at shortstop. In 52 games with the Cubs in 2014, Báez struck out 95 times while batting .169 with 5 stolen bases, 9 home runs, and 20 RBI.

2015

After a rough Spring Training, mostly due to a high number of strikeouts, the Cubs optioned Báez to Triple-A on March 30, 2015.[40]

He was then called up as a part of September call-ups on September 1. Báez hit his first home run of the season September 4 in a win over the Arizona Diamondbacks.[41] His three-run home run in the second inning of game 4 of the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals helped the Cubs to a 6-4 win as they advanced to the National League Championship Series.[42]

2016

On May 8, in the last game of a four-game series at Wrigley Field, Báez hit a solo home run in the bottom of the 13th inning to lead the Cubs to a 4-3 victory and a four-game sweep of the Washington Nationals.[43]

On June 28, Báez hit a grand slam in the 15th inning to lead the Cubs in a win over the Cincinnati Reds.

On October 7, in Game 1 of the 2016 National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, Báez hit a solo home run off Giants starter Johnny Cueto in the 8th inning to account for the only run in a 1-0 Cubs victory. It was the first 1-0 win in a playoff game for the Cubs since game 4 of the 1906 World Series against the Chicago White Sox. In Game 4, Báez drove in Jason Heyward to cap off a four-run rally in the top of the ninth, sending the Cubs to the 2016 National League Championship Series with a 6-5 victory.[44]

On October 15, 2016, during the first game of the 2016 National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Baez stole home in the second inning. He was the first Cub to do this in a postseason game since 1907 when Jimmy Slagle accomplished this against the Detroit Tigers in game four of the 1907 World Series. Baez is also only one of 19 players in baseball history to steal home in a playoff game. [45] Báez and Jon Lester were named NLCS co-MVPs, after Báez hit .318 with five RBIs, four doubles, and two stolen bases in the series, including three hits and three RBIs in Game 5.[46]

Personal life

Báez's sister died on April 8, 2015, aged 21. She had spina bifida and he was very close to her. Báez took a leave of absence from the Iowa Cubs to help cope with the loss.[47]

In non baseball life Baez is actually left hand dominant and eats and writes with his left hand and is thus extremely dexterous with his glove (left) hand for tagging runners.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "For former ACD slugger Javier Báez, Major League future is when, not if | members.jacksonville.com". M.jacksonville.com. June 22, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  2. 1 2 3 "Every day with sister Noely is special for Chicago Cubs player Javier Báez | cubs.com: News". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. December 23, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  3. 1 2 "Cubs tab high school shortstop Javier Báez with ninth pick | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  4. 1 2 "Javier Báez's (Jacksonville, FL) High School Baseball Stats". Maxpreps.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ Carrie Muskat & AJ Cassavell (March 16, 2014). "Top prospect Báez getting work at second base". Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  6. ↑ Patrick Mooney (March 17, 2014). "Cubs: Javier Báez ready for anything, getting closer to Wrigley". Comcast SportsNet Chicago. Retrieved March 18, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Power surge down on the farm by SS Javier Báez — Chicago Sun-Times". Suntimes.com. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  8. ↑ "2011 Arizona Cubs Statistics and Team Info". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "2011 Boise Hawks Statistics and Team Info". The Baseball Cube. January 9, 2011. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Para imprimir" (in Spanish). Elnuevodia.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  11. ↑ "2012 Prospect Watch | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  12. ↑ "2012 Cubs Extended Spring Training — Final Stats | The Cub Reporter (TCR) | A Chicago Cubs Blog". The Cub Reporter. February 13, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  13. 1 2 "Javier Báez at Minor League Central". Minorleaguecentral.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Stats: Javier Báez" (in Spanish). Baseball America. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  15. ↑ "2013 Prospect Watch | cubs.com: News". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. May 24, 2013. Retrieved August 10, 2013.
  16. ↑ "Chen gives up 4 homers in loss to Cubs — Yahoo Sports". Sports.yahoo.com. March 16, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Cubs minor leaguer Javier Báez hits 2 HRs to help Cubs beat Japan 7–5". Fox News. March 15, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Bruce Chen Finds Out Javier Báez Can Do Whatever He Wants | The Cub Reporter (TCR) | A Chicago Cubs Blog". The Cub Reporter. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  19. ↑ "For former ACD slugger Javier Báez, Major League future is when, not if | members.jacksonville.com". Jacksonville.com. June 22, 2013. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  20. ↑ Corcoran, Cliff (June 11, 2013). "Watch: Cubs prospect Javier Báez bashes four home runs in one game". Mlb.si.com. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  21. ↑ Wild, Danny (July 1, 2013). "Correa, Nimmo voted to Futures Game: Mets' No. 4 prospect headed to Citi Field after online fan vote". MiLB.com. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  22. ↑ Shalbrack, Matthew; Kline, Adam (July 6, 2013). "Báez, Villanueva homer, but Smokies fall 8–2". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved March 12, 2014.
  23. ↑ Dykstra, Sam (August 22, 2013). "Nicolino, Lawley take top FSL honors | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  24. ↑ Dykstra, Sam (August 30, 2013). "Báez, Smokies dominate SL All-Stars | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball". Milb.com. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  25. ↑ "Cubs Name Javier Báez and Kyle Hendricks Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year | cubs.com: News" (Press release). Mlb.mlb.com. September 13, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  26. ↑ "Javier Báez Chicago Cubs top prospect — Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. October 8, 2013. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  27. ↑ "Javier Báez Takes Home a MiLBY for Best Minor League Game of the Year". Chicago Cubs Online. Retrieved October 30, 2013.
  28. ↑ "Javier Báez playing second base — Chicago Tribune". Articles.chicagotribune.com. March 6, 2014. Retrieved March 7, 2014.
  29. ↑ Carrie Muskat (March 22, 2014). "Báez lauded for progress, takes roster move in stride". Major League Baseball. Retrieved March 23, 2014.
  30. ↑ Carrie Muskat (April 6, 2014). "Báez homers for Triple-A Iowa to end slide". Major League Baseball. Retrieved April 7, 2014.
  31. ↑ Tommy Birch (April 10, 2014). "Prospects Javier Báez and Kyle Hendricks shine in win". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved April 10, 2014.
  32. ↑ "PCL honor to Báez". MILB.com. May 26, 2014. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  33. ↑ Álvarez, Karla Pacheco (May 24, 2014). "Santurce anuncia firma de Lindor" (in Spanish). Primera Hora. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  34. ↑ Rivera, Joel Ortiz (May 23, 2014). "Ponce reclama a Javier Báez" (in Spanish). El Nuevo Dia. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  35. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (August 5, 2014). "Cubs call up top prospect Báez". MLB.com. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  36. ↑ Gonzales, Mark (August 6, 2014). "Relaxed Báez shines on Cubs' stage". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved August 6, 2014.
  37. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (August 7, 2014). "Báez buzz continues: Two HRs help down Rockies: Young standout 3-for-4 with four RBIs; Hendricks goes eight strong". MLB.com. Retrieved August 8, 2014.
  38. ↑ "Javier Báez, 2b, Chicago Cubs, MLB Baseball". cbssports.com. CBS Sports. Retrieved August 19, 2014.
  39. ↑ "Player Updates". mlb.com/mlb/fantasy/news/#player_id=516770. MLB.com. Retrieved September 27, 2014.
  40. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (March 30, 2015). "Offensive struggles prompt Báez's demotion". MLB.com. Retrieved April 10, 2015.
  41. ↑ Jesse Rodgers (September 4, 2015). "New and improved Javier Báez comes through in Cubs' win". ESPN Chicago. Retrieved September 8, 2015.
  42. ↑ "Cubs put away Cards, clinch NLDS at Wrigley".
  43. ↑ Kue, Chris (May 8, 2016). "Javier Báez homer wins it in 13th as Cubs rally past Nationals". Chicago Tribune. Chicago, Illinois: Tony W. Hunter. Archived from the original on May 9, 2016. Retrieved May 8, 2016.
  44. ↑ Chris Haft and Carrie Muskat (11 October 2016). "Cubs deliver Giant stunner, advance to NLCS". MLB. Retrieved 12 October 2016.
  45. ↑ Neveau, James. Javier Baez Makes History With Steal of Home in Game One. NBCChicago.com October 15, 2016. http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/Javier-Baez-Makes-History-With-Steal-of-Home-in-Game-1-397210881.html Retrieved October 16, 2016
  46. ↑ "Cubs' Baez, Lester selected as co-MVPs of NLCS".
  47. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (April 9, 2015). "Báez takes leave of absence after sister passes away". MLB.com. Retrieved April 10, 2015.

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