User:Irononsticker/sandbox

Javier Baez, the major league shortstop, has finally arrived

But in Baez’s case, stats never tell the full story. They don’t describe the inside-the-park home run or the steal of home or the scamper to the plate from second base on an infield grounder. Nor do they describe his new hair style.

All of those things happened over just the past five weeks. Baez was exciting as a part-time player, but he’s taking it to another level as a regular. What has been the difference?

“I’m getting a chance to play every day,” Baez said. “That’s what I want to do.”

It sounds simple, and Cubs manager Joe Maddon doesn’t disagree, but more on that in a moment. It wasn’t a smooth start for Baez when he took over at shortstop. His play on defense left something to be desired, especially considering his raw talent. This was one of the best defenders in the league last year, but 2017 wasn’t as kind to him in the field. He had trouble with routine plays at shortstop and missed on chances to make the spectacular plays. Ten days into Russell’s injury, Maddon was left wondering where that Baez was.

“It’s just a matter of putting him out there too often sometimes,” Maddon said after poor defense led to a loss in Arizona in mid-August. “I like to give him a break once in a while. Right now, there is no break. ... We need Addison back to balance it out. When Javy is [at second base], we’re really good on the infield. That’s hopefully forthcoming relatively soon.”

Then something happened. Within days, Baez turned his game around to the point where people are now asking whether he should remain at shortstop even when Russell gets back or if the Cubs might make a change come the offseason. Baez clearly has the better arm, and now he’s making the “routine play more routinely,” according to his manager. Even though it was Maddon who was responsible for his playing time, the manager says he wouldn’t have changed anything. Baez needed to be a spot starter the past couple years in order to arrive at this point in his career.