So Far, We’re Seeing the Javier Baez We Expected – And That’s Good, and Other Bullets

Aug 10, 2014

Shark Week starts today!

After his rash of strikeouts on Friday, all swinging, Javier Baez took six straight pitches in his first at bat yesterday, striking out looking. Meaningful? Probably not. A mental overreaction by Baez? Not necessarily. He struck out a couple more times yesterday, but also worked a long at bat and produced a double. You’re going to get tired of hearing it, but, so far, I find Baez’s strikeout issues entirely unremarkable. We knew he was going to face an adjustment process as he competes against best pitching he’s ever seen (and he’s the youngest player in the NL, a guy who was already prone to swing and miss). This adjustment process was among the primary reasons he was called up last week, and not next April. The hope is that Baez will have almost two months to see how pitchers attack him, to focus on the improvements he needs to make, and then will have an entire offseason and Spring Training to work on those things without impact any big league games. Then, maybe, come 2015, he’s ready to really contribute to an upstart Cubs team.

Baez, so far, has the right attitude about the strikeouts (as he told ESPN): “I’m not going to change my approach because I strike out a lot. I just have to be patient and get a good pitch to hit.” Baez can always continue to improve at the margins, but he’s not a guy whose approach you would want to completely change for fear that you’d wreck the very things that make him so dangerous in the first place.

The funny thing on Baez’s SUPER small sample size numbers? Despite the 43.5% K rate, he’s got a .957 OPS, a .411 wOBA, a 163 wRC+, and a totally sustainable .300 BABIP. Are the .435(!!!) ISO or 42.9(!!!)% HR/FB ratio sustainable? Heh. Probably not.

Felix Doubront has been throwing side sessions since being acquired by the Cubs before the Trade Deadline (Cubs.com). He’s on the DL with a calf strain, and a rehab assignment probably comes next. How will the Cubs accommodate Doubront and Jacob Turner, who could join the team as soon as today? My best guess is that Turner pitches out of the bullpen the rest of the way (with an eye toward working him back in as a starter in Spring Training and early next year, if he shows he can succeed; and with the bullpen as a backup option), and Doubront moves into the rotation in September when, for example, Kyle Hendricks is shut down after getting up there in innings. It’s no lock that Hendricks will be shut down, but it’s plausible. If not Hendricks, then the odds remain good that at least one rotation spot will open up, one way or another, before the end of the year. And the Cubs can get three or four starts to look at Doubront.

Rays manager Joe Maddon was excited about his visit to Wrigley Field (CSN), but ripped Cubs fans in the process: “I’ve not been around the fans long enough, but I do see almost like a St. Louis thing where they’re really good baseball fans and they can appreciate good baseball either way.” AHHH! LIKE CARDINALS FANS?!? NOOOOOOO!!!

Did the Dodgers get their additional pitcher? Probably – they just picked up Kevin Correia from the Twins. Yesterday, we discussed the possibility of the Dodgers – or the Angels – getting a pitcher from the Cubs.

Evan Longoria on his career path vis a vis similarly-tracked slugger Kris Bryant.

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

Picks

Mariners vs. Rangers Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Seattle Mariners (12-12) visit the Texas Rangers (13-12) at 2:35 PM ET Thursday for a sluggers' duel between two of the best home-run hitters in baseball. Caleb Raleigh has racked up six homers this season (No. 9 in the...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The San Diego Padres (14-13) are favorites (-151) on the moneyline when they square off against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) Thursday at 3:10 PM ET, live on SDPA.Randy Vasquez takes the mound for San Diego while Dakota Hudson is Colorado's...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Dodgers vs. Nationals Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The Los Angeles Dodgers (15-11) have an opportunity to add to their three-game winning streak as they visit the Washington Nationals (10-13) at Nationals Park on Thursday at 4:05 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Dodgers will...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Royals vs. Blue Jays Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Toronto Blue Jays (13-12) are the underdogs on the moneyline (+100) in Thursday's contest against the Kansas City Royals (15-10). The game starts at 2:10 PM ET on SNET. The Blue Jays are favored against the spread in this...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Astros vs. Cubs Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

Two of the league's top power hitters meet Thursday when the Houston Astros (7-18) and Chicago Cubs (15-9) take the field at 2:20 PM ET, live on SCHN. Jose Altuve has six home runs for the Astros (-127 favorites on...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Best MLB Prop Bets Today, April 25, 2024

The Boston Red Sox versus the Cleveland Guardians is a game to see on a Thursday MLB schedule that features 10 competitive contests.There are typically plenty of MLB player prop bets available for each and every matchup. Scroll down to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Padres vs. Rockies Probable Starting Pitchers – April 25

The San Diego Padres (14-13) play on the road against the Colorado Rockies (6-19) on Thursday. The matchup is set to begin at 3:10 PM ET.This contest's pitching matchup is set, as the Padres will send Randy Vasquez (0-1) to...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Brewers vs. Pirates Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Milwaukee Brewers (15-8) are set to take on the Pittsburgh Pirates (13-12) Thursday at 12:35 PM ET, airing on BSWI. The Brewers are listed as -126 favorites by sportsbooks, while the underdog Pirates have +105 odds for the contest.Freddy...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Twins vs. White Sox Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

The Chicago White Sox (3-21 look to avoid the sweep when they visit the Minnesota Twins (10-13) in the final game of a four-game set. Oddsmakers have listed the Twins as -252 favorites, while the White Sox are +206 underdogs...

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

Picks

Phillies vs. Reds Prediction: Expert Picks, Odds, Stats & Best Bets – Thursday, April 25, 2024

Expect a display of power when Kyle Schwarber (6 HR) and the Philadelphia Phillies (15-10) take on Elly De La Cruz (7 HR) and the Cincinnati Reds (14-10) at Great American Ball Park at 1:10 PM ET live on BSOH....

Data Skrive

Apr 25, 2024

So Far, We’re Seeing the Javier Baez We Expected – And That’s Good, and Other Bullets

Read More

more cubs news

Latest News

more cubs news

Most Popular

Most Popular

Latest News

Most Popular

Most Popular