Another Day, Another Set of Javier Baez Homers and Other Bullets

javier baez bombIt’s Selection Sunday, for any of you who are into college basketball. I used to follow the sport much more closely, until it was sacrificed on the altar of having a young kid (and then a second). Now I’ll probably watch a little of the tournament, pull for a cinderella or two, accidentally say “cinderella” out loud, and then be forced to put on the Disney movie for The Little Girl.

  • For those who couldn’t watch Cubs/Royals yesterday on WGN, and/or didn’t catch the replay on MLBN this morning, you can see Javier Baez’s two homers here, and then you can see them in a view from the stands, courtesy of BN’er Coach K:
  • Dale Sveum on Baez’s ridiculous stretch of four homers in two games, and three on three straight pitches (per Cubs.com): “The last week, it seemed like he turned into a different kid, the way he went about things, his at-bats. I think that inner cockiness will always be something that’s a huge asset for any good player. People who play in the big leagues, there’s always an edge to them, one way or the other. He’s got that edge. He wants to be that guy. I think he got comfortable as big league camp went on in the environment and with the guys. We all know it’s there.”
  • Baez, himself, on his amazing stretch (per the Tribune): “I’m seeing the ball pretty good and hitting the ball hard. I just like [swinging at] the first fastball I see. Sometimes I miss it, sometimes I hit it.” Advice to pitchers: never throw Baez a fastball. Ever. Well, also don’t throw him sliders, because he hits those out of the park, too.
  • Despite the theatrics, Baez, together with Jorge Soler and Christian Villanueva (at a minimum), will be cut from big league Spring camp tomorrow. According to the Cubs’ transaction log, Soler and Villanueva have already technically been cut (which doesn’t mean they won’t still be playing with the big club, as we saw yesterday). I suspect we’ll see a more formal announcement tomorrow with a larger group of players.
  • David DeJesus has worked with Dale Sveum and hitting coach James Rowson (seriously, the Cubs have three hitting coaches right now, when you add in assistant hitting coach Rob Deer – that’s all gotta help) on subtle changes in his approach, which have shown this Spring. He’s thinking we’re going to see better performance this year (not that he was bad last year).
  • A reminder: If you’ve been wanting to get a BN shirt for the upcoming season, there’s a special deal going on now through March 22 – basically, if you order any two or more products, you get free shipping. Use “EASTER2013″ as your coupon code when you check out.
  • written by

    Brett Taylor is the Lead Cubs Writer at Bleacher Nation, and you can find him on Twitter at @BleacherNation and on LinkedIn here. Brett is also the founder of Bleacher Nation, which opened up shop in 2008 as an independent blog about the Chicago Cubs. Later growing to incorporate coverage of other Chicago sports, Bleacher Nation is now one of the largest regional sports blogs on the web.

    more cubs news

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    Let’s See How They Measure Up in Atlanta: Cubs vs Braves Series Preview

    Cubs vs Braves — Six of the Cubs next ten games come against the Atlanta Braves, and the first three are on the road starting tonight. And while the Cubs did recently get Seiya Suzuki, Cody Bellinger, and Justin Steele...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    For the Second Time in a Few Days, Birthday Boy Nico Hoerner Saved the Game

    A happy 27th birthday to Chicago Cubs second baseman, and fill-in shortstop, Nico Hoerner. He is currently hitting a career-best .275/.364/.399/122 wRC+, and walking more often (9.7%) than he's striking out (9.1%). He has been absolutely scorching over the past...

    MLBits: Padres Best the Dodgers, Skenes Debut Reactions, Guardians New Threads, More

    The Dodgers have a comfortable lead in the NL West, but the Padres are proving to themselves that they can make this a two-horse race. Plus, reactions from Paul Skenes' major league debut and more in today's MLB Notes. Padres...

    David Peralta Has Opted Out of His Minor League Deal with the Cubs

    The Chicago Cubs have had veteran outfielder David Peralta around as emergency depth going back to Spring Training, when he was working his way back from offseason arm surgery. But he might now be heading off to join another organization....

    Cubs Farm Report | May 13, 2024: Homers by Davis, Mervis Not Enough in Iowa on Sunday

    Brennen Davis and Matt Mervis hit home runs on Sunday for the Iowa Cubs, but it wasn't enough to earn the team a victory against the Columbus Clippers. That and more are in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report...

    How I Feel About Kyle Hendricks and the Cubs Rotation Plans After Yesterday’s Start

    Yesterday, the Chicago Cubs won a game started by Kyle Hendricks and closed by Adbert Alzolay. Factually, that is what happened. I know. That's wild. Of course, that's what would've been the expected outcome last season for two of the...

    A Very Good Week for Cubs Prospect Brennen Davis

    After two years lost to injuries mixed in with underperformance at Triple-A, I think it's nice to be able to celebrate a great stretch of baseball from Chicago Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. Thanks to a particularly hot week, Davis...

    Cubs Have Some Elite Bat Speed, PCA Elite in Center Field, Elite Injury Rates, and Other Cubs Bullets

    We had a very nice Mother's Day with the kids, who were very kind to her and each other, and sometimes that's all you're looking for. They got a good mom. Starting in 2024, Statcast has begun tracking bat speed,...

    Latest News

    Cubs Roster Move: Alzolay to the IL, Cuas Returns

    It felt like this situation with Adbert Alzolay could not go on much longer, and it has now resolved itself with an Injured List move. Today, the Cubs placed Alzolay on the 15-day IL with a right forearm strain. Jose...

    Where is the 2024 PGA Championship? Valhalla Golf Club Course Details

    The PGA Championship, which is the second major of the 2024 calendar, will hold its 106th edition at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky, from May 16-19. The course was designed by the all-time major champion, Jack Nicklaus, and is ranked as the top course...

    How to Watch Marlins Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    The South Florida sun is shining, and there’s plenty of baseball still to be played at loanDepot Park. Whether you're cheering the Marlins on from the stands or following the action remotely, they have a loaded remaining 2024 MLB schedule....

    All-Time PGA Championship Winners

    The PGA Championship is one of four major championships on the men's professional golf calendar, alongside the Masters, U.S. Open, and Open Championship. Since its inception in 1916, the PGA Championship has been held every year, with the exception of...

    Antoine Winfield Jr Signs Record-Breaking Extension

    The Buccaneers have made Antoine Winfield Jr the highest-paid defensive back in the history of the NFL. On Monday afternoon, Winfield Jr and Tampa Bay agreed to a four-year, $84.1 million deal. It also guarantees the Bucs' star $45 million....

    Bears Rookie Minicamp Takeaways: Caleb Williams and the Best of the Rest

    I've said it, and I'll continue to say it: this chapter of Chicago Bears football feels different. Perhaps it's because the last time we did this, we were in a pandemic, and when the Bears jumped up to No. 11...

    How to Watch Mets Games: Full 2024 Schedule, Live Stream and More

    Citi Field is electric, the energy is palpable, and the New York Mets are in the thick of the chase!  Whether you're a die-hard Mets fan bleeding blue and orange or following the Amazin' Mets from afar, their remaining MLB...

    MLB Pipeline Added Two MORE Cubs to Their Top-100

    Over the weekend, MLB Pipeline updated their top-100 MLB Prospect Rankings, with eight new players making the list after graduations and other considerations. And TWO of those players, Moises Ballesteros and Jefferson Rojas, are Chicago Cubs prospects. All together, that...

    Luka Doncic Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Thunder – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Dallas Mavericks play the Oklahoma City Thunder at 9:30 PM ET on Monday, in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and one of the 3-pointer props available for this matchup requires three treys from Luka...

    Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Player Props: Three-Pointer Props and Odds vs. the Mavericks – Conference Semifinals Game 4, Monday, May 13, 2024

    The Oklahoma City Thunder play the Dallas Mavericks on Monday at 9:30 PM ET in Game 4 of the second round of the NBA playoffs, and if the Thunder's Shai Gilgeous-Alexander drains two 3-pointers, he'll beat his over/under.Shai Gilgeous-Alexander's Three-Pointer...

    more cubs news