Baez believes in himself — as well as his teammates
Says Cubs have enough talent to atone for disappointing ’18
Before Javier Baez became a Gold Glove-caliber infielder, he needed to shore up his fielding woes, which included 44 errors during his 2013 minor-league season.
And before he vaulted to 2018 National League Most Valuable Player runner-up status, Baez had to learn to hit the curveball — a pitch that accounted for many of his 95 strikeouts in 229 plate appearances as a rookie in 2014.
Baez’s approach at the plate isn’t ideal in this era of working deep counts, but his impressive results mean he’s excluded from a long list of young Cubs batters under scrutiny entering spring training.
And Baez has confidence in the roster after the Cubs’ disappointing finish last season.
“I think we do (have enough),” he said at the Cubs Convention last weekend. “I know we do. We have the team. We’ve got pitching — that is what everyone is talking about. We believe in our guys.”
Baez’s 2018 season, which included 34 home runs, a league-leading 111 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and dazzling defense at second base and shortstop, helped keep the Cubs afloat despite the team’s offensive struggles in the second half.
If several of his teammates can rebound to their normal levels, Baez won’t need to carry such a heavy load in 2018.
Baez played 160 of the Cubs’ 163 games, and the Cubs simply couldn’t afford to rest him in the final four weeks as their five-game lead gradually vanished. In the final two weeks, Baez batted .234 with one home run and four RBIs, while Christian Yelich carried the Brewers to the NL Central title by hitting .457 with five home runs and 17 RBIs during the same span and earned MVP honors.
“It was a great competition between me, (Nolan) Arenado and Yelich,” Baez said. “To be in the (top) three, it was great and I know that we all had really good years.”
The hard-swinging Baez did it his way. His 40.32 percent RBI rate was sixth highest in the NL despite missing on 33 percent of his swings. Baez had the highest first-swing rate (46.5) and he was ninth lowest in the league in pitches taken at 42 percent.
“Well, that’s been there about my swing since I got drafted,” Baez said. “A lot of people (talk) about my swing, and I never give up on something that I do (naturally).
“You guys saw it last year. I had a great year, and I still believe I can have a better year.”
Baez’s biggest improvement at the plate arguably was his success hitting curveballs. He posted a 1.033 OPS on curveballs — fourth in the NL.
“The only adjustment I made was to look at the ball with both eyes and let it get deep in the (strike) zone,” Baez said.
Winning an NL Gold Glove Award remains one of Baez’s goals. His lack of a set position could hurt him again as he’ll play at least the first month at shortstop while Addison Russell serves the final 29 games of a suspension for violating Major League Baseball’s domestic-violence policy. Baez started 75 games at second base and was credited with five runs saved. The Rockies’ DJ LeMahieu won the award with 18 runs saved in 127 starts at second base.
Baez’s defensive versatility was recognized by the Fielding Bible Awards as he won his third consecutive multi-position honor.
“I still want my Gold Glove at any position,” Baez said. “It doesn’t matter which one.”
Baez has spent the majority of the offseason in his native Puerto Rico with his family, working out at a hitting facility and conducting youth baseball clinics with his brother-in-law Jose Berrios of the Twins.
“Staying healthy is my first thing that I want to do the whole year, and win,” Baez said. “I want to win again and have another great parade.”