Keep Your Hand Off the Javier Baez Panic Button and Other Bullets

May 21, 2013

We’ll be thinking about the folks in Oklahoma today (and tomorrow and next week … ), and hoping that things come out as well as possible in a situation like this.

Sahadev Sharma yesterday wrote about a variety of Chicago Cubs prospects in a piece that’s well worth a read. Of particular note, Sahadev shares his thoughts – derived in part from talking to folks around baseball – on why we shouldn’t yet be panicking about Javier Baez’s slow start at High-A Daytona this year (complete with a million strikeouts and a million errors). The money paragraph: “The fact that Baez’s early struggles were not unexpected, at 20 he’s still young for the league and the Florida State League is known to be pitcher-friendly all make Baez’s problems at the plate a little easier to swallow. As one AL scouting director said prior to the season, ‘It’s OK if we see him putting up bad numbers at Daytona — it’s all part of the process.’ Baez’s disappointing start isn’t something to get riled up about, but how he reacts and adjusts to these issues in the coming months will tell us a lot about his future.” For whatever it’s worth, over his last 35 plate appearances, Baez has just four strikeouts. (Just two walks, though.) Of course, he’s got just one homer in his last 16 games, so it seems likely that there’s some instruction and tinkering going on. Also small sample sizes, and all that. But these are the kinds of micro-adjustments Baez will have to make as he progresses. What you’re looking for is a strong second half from Baez, with a slightly reduced K rate, a slightly increased BB rate, and a stabilization of his power. We’re not even to midseason yet, so there’s plenty of time.

Sahadev mentioned to me yesterday while we were recording the podcast – fresh episode coming later today – that Dale Sveum said Matt Garza will be on an 85-90 pitch limit in his return against the Pirates today. That sounds about right, given how long its been since he pitched in the bigs, and the need to temper some of his natural excitement. These first few starts are about staying healthy and continuing to get strong. Nothing wrong with that.

Tony Andracki looks at the Sean Marshall trade, and figures that the Cubs are looking pretty shiny on that one, given how well Travis Wood is pitching.

The Cubs have another Player of the Week in the Florida State League in the form of Dustin Geiger, whom you might recall had the doubleheader of a lifetime last week. The former third baseman has mostly played first for Daytona, and is hitting a robust .327/.398/.513. Geiger is 21, and his peripherals look good (even if/when the lofty .364 BABIP comes down, that slash line could still look quite good), so there’s plenty to like about the performance thus far. If he’s permanently moved to first, though, the bat is going to have to carry him all the way up the chain, and, even then, some positional versatility is going to be required if he’s going to find a spot on the Cubs’ roster. That’s all a long ways off, though. The best we can say right now: Geiger is definitely relevant.

Thanks for a good time yesterday during the first BN Off-Day Q&A on Facebook and Twitter. I couldn’t possibly get to all of the questions, and I learned just how tiring it can be to do an hour of that, frantically scanning questions, flipping back and forth between the two sites, thinking of useful/clever answers on the fly. Hopefully you enjoyed, and for those who missed it, you can see the entire chats by looking here on Facebook, and looking at the #BNQA hash tag on Twitter.

I was on the Midway Baseball Today Podcast yesterday, talking about various Cubs things. You can listen here.

Don’t forget to sign up for this week’s one-day fantasy contest. It takes 5 minutes, is free, and gives you the chance to win a share of $300. It also helps support BN, so sign up. Full details here.

written by

Brett Taylor

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

Chicago Cubs

Dansby Swanson with a First Inning Three-Run Homer

For the second straight night, the Cubs are jumping all over the Astros in the first inning. After a couple hits from Nico Hoerner and Ian Happ to get things going, Michael Busch hit a sac fly, Christopher Morel walked,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Welcome Back to Iowa, Brennen Davis: Rocket Homer in His First Game Post-Rehab

What a road it's been - continues to be - for Cubs outfield prospect Brennen Davis. The former top prospect was on a rocket ship to Triple-A in 2021, and then mostly lost the last two years to various injuries....

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

CRAAAAAP: Cody Bellinger to the Injured List (UPDATES)

So much for all those words of optimism and negative X-rays. After colliding with the outfield wall last night, Cody Bellinger fractured his rib (Update: It's actually TWO fractured right ribs) and will hit the injured list today. Chicago Cubs...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Chicago Cubs Lineup: What is it, June 2023?

CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs took Game 1 against the Houston Astros in convincing fashion last night. So tonight, they'll go for the quick series win against Spencer Arrighetti at Wrigley Field (it'd be a good idea to win...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Bellinger Optimistic Post-Injury, Busch’s Defense, Almonte Stock Rising, Tauchman Slugging, and Other Cubs Bullets

Ed. Note: Since this article was published, a CT scan revealed a rib fracture for Cody Bellinger, who is now on the Injured List. You can find all the details of that news in our most recent article right here....

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Outfield Prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong Coming Up

With Cody Bellinger headed to the Injured List with a rib fracture, the Cubs are in need of another outfielder: center field prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming back up to the big leagues for the second time. https://twitter.com/670TheScore/status/1783217891195625709 Crow-Armstrong, 22,...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Is Mike Tauchman the Best Player in Baseball? An Exploration

Hey, we're just having some early-season fun. So allow me to present the 'Mike Tauchman Is Clearly Better Than' list. As of this moment, Mike Tauchman has ... ... a higher wRC+ (151) than Pete Alonso, Fernando Tatis Jr., and...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Cubs Farm Report | April 24, 2024: Kevin Alcántara Cannot Miss Right Now

Name a player hotter than Kevin Alcántara right now. Go ahead, I'll wait. (He's already raking again today. Literally as I type this.) More on Alcántara's big day and the Smokies home run parade last night in today's Cubs Farm...

Patrick K. Flowers

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

Oof: Blake Snell to the Injured List Just Three Horrible Starts into His Giants Career

Just three starts into his San Francisco Giants career, Blake Snell is heading to the injured list with a left-adductor strain. Oof. You hate to even say it — and who really knows if this was related — but early...

Michael Cerami

Apr 24, 2024

Chicago Cubs

It’s Gotten Impossible to Not Comment on the White Sox Making Futility History

In 1997, I was a miserable Chicago Cubs fan. I mean, that was true a lot of the time, but I mean it in a very specific way that year: the Cubs had started the season 0-14. They had literally...

Brett Taylor

Apr 24, 2024

NBA Picks

Nuggets vs. Lakers Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Denver Nuggets are slight 1-point favorites in Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the Los Angeles Lakers at Crypto.com Arena on Thursday, starting at 10:00 PM ET on TNT. The Nuggets have a 2-0...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

NBA Picks

76ers vs. Knicks Predictions, Best Bets and Odds: NBA Playoffs Game 3 – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Philadelphia 76ers are 4.5-point favorites for Game 3 of the opening round of the NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at Wells Fargo Center on Thursday, tipping off at 7:30 PM ET on TNT. The Knicks lead the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Oilers vs. Kings NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Picks, Live Odds and Moneyline – Friday, April 26, 2024

The Edmonton Oilers are moderate favorites (-130) away at the Los Angeles Kings (+110) on Friday at 10:30 PM ET.Oilers vs. Kings Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Oilers (-130)Underdog: Kings (+110)Total: 6Best Oilers vs. Kings Promo Codes[lasso type="table" id="1" link_id="1597816"]How to Watch...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Pirates Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) square off in Pittsburgh on Thursday. First pitch is at 12:35 PM ET at PNC Park.The Brewers will call on Freddy Peralta (2-0) against the Pirates and Mitch Keller (2-2).Brewers vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Golden Knights vs. Stars NHL Playoffs First Round Game 3 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Saturday, April 27, 2024

The oddsmakers have the Vegas Golden Knights at -120 on the moneyline, and the Dallas Stars at +100, for their matchup on Saturday, April 27 at 10:30 PM ET.Golden Knights vs. Stars Favorite, Moneyline, TotalFavorite: Golden Knights (-120)Underdog: Stars (+100)Total:...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Guardians vs. Red Sox: Live Stream or on TV

On Thursday, Josh Naylor and the Cleveland Guardians (17-7) contest a rubber match against Tyler O'Neill and the Boston Red Sox (14-11) at Progressive Field, with first pitch scheduled for 1:10 PM ET.Keep reading to see how to watch the...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

Picks

Maple Leafs vs. Bruins NHL Playoffs First Round Game 4 Prediction: Odds, Picks, Best Bets – Saturday, April 27, 2024

The sportsbooks are expecting a close game between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Boston Bruins when they clash on Saturday at 8:00 PM ET, with the Maple Leafs at -112 on the moneyline, and the Bruins at -108.Maple Leafs vs....

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

How to Watch Mariners vs. Rangers: Live Stream or on TV

Caleb Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit Adolis Garcia and the Texas Rangers (13-12) on Thursday in a rubber match, with first pitch at 2:35 PM ET.The article below will give you everything you need to watch Seattle play...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

How to Watch

Padres vs. Rockies: Free Live Stream, TV Channel, How to Watch

On Thursday, Fernando Tatis Jr. and the San Diego Padres (14-13) face Ryan McMahon and the Colorado Rockies (6-19), with first pitch scheduled for 3:10 PM ET at Coors Field.Keep reading to find out how to watch the San Diego-Colorado...

Data Skrive

Apr 24, 2024

NFL

2024 Las Vegas Raiders Big Board: Potential First-Round Fits Including Tackle & Cornerback

The desert heat is rising in Las Vegas, and so are the expectations for the Raiders. The 2024 NFL Draft is rapidly approaching, and the Silver and Black hold the 13th overall pick. Will they prioritize shoring up the offensive...

Brian Twining

Apr 24, 2024

Keep Your Hand Off the Javier Baez Panic Button and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular