How Javier Baez will Impact Fantasy Baseball
Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; World infielder Javier Baez hits a two-run home run in the 6th inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports
This is the second installment in what will essentially be a series of articles on the super prospects of the Chicago Cubs. The first article was about Arismendy Alcantara,and it can be found here. Future articles will probably be written when the other stud prospects are in the show or just about to be called up.
The reason for this article on a young Cub prospect is because Javier Baez of the Iowa Cubs will join the Major League team in Colorado tomorrow.
If Javier Baez is available in your league, ADD HIM IMMEDIATELY. Literally, stop reading this article and check if he is available. After you have made the necessary clicks, then come back and find out why one of baseball’s blue chip prospects is so exciting.
For those in FAAB leagues, use the rest of your remaining budget. What else are you saving for?
Why should you be so excited about Javier Baez? He has incredible pop, base stealing ability, and middle infield eligibility. In 2014, Baez has 23 homers and 16 stolen bases at AAA Iowa in 104 games.
Baez has historic wrist speed. Bat speed is a major element in generating power because objects will simply travel a greater distance when they have a greater velocity or are hit by an object with a high velocity.
The super prospect has power to all fields, and that was best demonstrated when the righty smashed a bomb to right center in the Futures Game. When Baez puts the bat to the ball, it can get out in a hurry.
Baez will very likely play second base with the Chicago Cubs, so that will give him eligibility across the infield. Also, it is very possible that Baez could find himself at third base from time to time, but I would bet on most of his starts being in the keystone position.
So, what is not to like? It sounds like this could be George Springer 2.0 for your fantasy team, but with SS (and eventually 2B/SS) eligibility.
Unfortunately, the only downside is that it seems to have taken Baez a little bit of time to get adjusted at each level so far.
The first month of Javier Baez at each level in the minors:
[table id=1063 /]
However, he has righted the ship in all of those levels after a few months at the most, but the problem is that Baez only has under two months left in this Major League season. The good news is that the power never disappeared even when Baez had lousy rate stats.
Check out Javier Baez’s last month at each minor league level:
[table id=1064 /]
Another disclaimer is that no player is guaranteed to produce when they are first called up to the majors. Even fantasy god Mike Trout was unproductive in his first call-up in 2011. Trout hit five homers, had four steals, and slashed .220/.281/.390 in 40 games. Of course, Trout set the world on fire in 2012 and the rest is history.
With the cautionary tales out of the way, do not forget the key point in the article. ADD JAVIER BAEZ NOW! I have no idea if he will struggle to adjust, but the upside is way too massive to not want him on your fantasy team.