NEWSLETTER
Among the many things that makes Javy Baez so special is his ability to not only make impressive plays on defense, but make plays that leave you blown away that a human body could pull off such a thing. Even when he doesn’t get an out. I immediately think about that play against the Marlins he nearly made from the seat of his pants, or the impossible turn-and-throw in the NLDS against the Giants.
Javy bein’ Javy means a lot of things, but his ability to physically execute the impossible is certainly one of them.
Well, the Cubs’ first round pick, Stanford shortstop Nico Hoerner, apparently has a little Nico bein’ Javy in him:
Ready for this, @Cubs? @nico_hoerner 😳 #GoStanford pic.twitter.com/NzAXEGhiN9
— Stanford Baseball (@StanfordBSB) June 5, 2018
That’s truly an eye-popping play. When I really appreciated what was happening there, my eyes literally opened much wider.
That’s a dude leaping into the air while moving laterally, gloving the ball, transferring the ball, and making a strong through across his body all before he lands. The instincts and strength and body control there is absolutely reminiscent of Javy Baez. I’m not saying there’s an overall defensive parallel, mind you, but on that particular play? That was just crazy stupid awesome.
I gotta give Nico a hat tip here, too: he got the out. Maybe Javy can be a little Nico?
