Javy Baez Will Be Our Opening Day Second Baseman
Almost everyone is saying that Javy Baez will be the Cubs‘ opening day second baseman, and as a result, everyone else is really, REALLY confused. Baez is hitting a robust .128 in 39 spring training at bats. He’s struckout in 14 of those AB’s while reaching base via walk just 3 times. Not exactly the type of performance you know Theo is looking for from one of his core products, and there’s not even a cohesive approach at the plate to get him out of this shit. Sometimes he toe taps. Sometimes he doesn’t. Sometimes he picks his knee up and sometimes it’s a slide step. And most of the time he swings at the kind of pitches that make you think he’s just trolling us. But then again, sometimes he hits fucking missiles into outer-space to the point that you often lead with the following phrase when talking about him: “If only he couldn’t make consistent contact…”
There’s a reason he can’t right now. It’s because he’s a try hard. Or trying hard. Or too hard or hardo or whatever the fucking say is on Barstool these days. You know what I mean. He’s trying to do too much. Like me when I write a 10,000 word dissertation on international free agents, or Big Cat trying to recover a day’s worth of gambling losses on obscure late night PAC-12 action. (Sidenote: probably just gonna take the over and the favorite 10 out of 10 times.) The point is – he’s trying to do too much because he’s creating unnecessary pressure on himself to be an MLB All Star from the get go. Fortunately for everyone involved, insert Joe Maddon.
Maddon has taken it upon himself to turn Baez into a polished product. He’s bombarding the media with Baez praise and doing so in a way that actually makes me think this is going to work. He’s hammering home the point that Baez has been tremendous at second, that the pitchers love him, and that he’s “one of the best young baseball players” Maddon has ever seen. He’s literally pumping confidence into Javy at every opportunity, and the best part is it’s the type of confidence this kid needs. Maddon isn’t telling everyone “well he has the best power” and blah blah blah. It’s far better. He’s talking about how smart this kid is, and well-rounded and how other aspects of his game are overshadowed by his power. That’s the type of stuff that gets back to young players and make them think they belong in the bigs. And that’s what we need to do with Baez –> get him to relax. Aggressive Puerto Rican stereotypes aside, I think we can do that, and I love the fact that Maddon is leading the charge. He knows it’s a long-term play with this kid and he’s willing to put his neck out there to prove it. So expect some growing pains, but if this team jumps out to a good start, I can see him settling down and taking off by the time KB arrives.
PS – Real talk though he’ll probably be back in Iowa just in time to watch the Master’s with Trent and his parents
PPS – Fact: no one ever hit .300 while owning a pair of cargo shorts.
