For months now, we’ve heard/seen/recorded nothing but incredible feats from top prospect, Javier Baez. The 20-year-old shortstop was not only the Cubs’ Minor League Player of the Year, but he was one of the most successful minor leaguers in all of baseball this season.
All of that was on the field, though. How has Baez’s progress been off the field? The minors are for learning, after all.
Well, Baez’s hitting coach certainly seems to think Baez is progressing in his development as a future big leaguer, thanks in large part to his eagerness to learn and follow directions.
Former big leaguer Mariano Duncan was Baez’s hitting coach at High-A Daytona, and he says Baez is a hard-worker who’ll make his way to the big leagues soon.
Duncan related a series of post-season text messages to Cubs.com: “[Baez] said, ‘Thank you for having patience with me for the whole year. It means a lot to me.’ I texted him back and said, ‘Thank you for listening and making the adjustments.’ When I texted him back, I said, ‘Don’t thank me for that. I get paid to do that and to try to develop you guys and make you a better player.’ All the credit should go to him. He works so hard and he listens. He did everything he is supposed to do on the field.”
The Cubs.com piece is worth a read, especially if you’d like to add yet another layer of excitement to your Baez-related heart flutters.