How long before Javier Baez is toeing the rubber?
After getting reps in the outfield last week, the Cubs youngster is now working at first base, where manager Joe Maddon said Baez will be the team’s primary backup this season.
Btw, Maddon said Baez would be Rizzo's main backup at first base. Guy is going to play everywhere. Bryant is 3rd on depth chart there
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) February 25, 2016
Other than pitcher and catcher, where won’t Baez be the primary backup? But who can blame Chicago for looking for every possible opportunity to get him into the lineup?
In 28 games last season, Baez had a slash line of .289/.325/.408.
Baez has never appeared in the outfield in an MLB game, but he did make four starts there this winter while playing in Puerto Rico, according to a previous Sun-Times report.
In his two seasons in the bigs, Baez has bounced around between second base (42 games), shortstop (38 games), third base (11 games) and first base (two innings).
He admitted Friday that he doesn’t even own a first baseman’s glove.
“I borrowed Kris Bryant’s last year,” Baez said, via ESPN. “If I need one, I’ll get one.”
Stats via Baseball-Reference