It’s finally happening: Javier Baez is getting called up.
According to Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com (via Twitter), Baez will join the Chicago Cubs before Tuesday’s game against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field.
The 21-year-old middle infielder gets the call after a strong showing at Triple-A Iowa, where he batted .260/.323/.510 with 23 home runs, 24 doubles and 80 RBI in 434 plate appearances.
With the news of Baez’s upcoming promotion, it’s safe to say the Cubs front office was pleased with the developmental strides made by Baez over the last two-plus months, as it's giving him a crack at the major leagues ...
It’s official: The Chicago Cubs have the best collection of young hitters in all of baseball.
The acquisition of shortstop Addison Russell from the Oakland A’s as part of the Jeff Samardzija-Jason Hammel deal gives the Cubs five top-50 prospects in Kris Bryant (No. 3), Russell (No. 5), Javier Baez (No. 6), Arismendy Alcantara (No. 23) and Albert Almora (No. 36), while Jorge Soler and Kyle Schwarber both rank somewhere in the top 100.
At the major league level, meanwhile, the Cubs have already locked up 24-year-old All-Stars Anthony Rizzo and Starlin Castro through at least the 2019 season.
With a slew of ...
The Chicago Cubs surprised the baseball world last month by selecting Kyle Schwarber out of Indiana University with the No. 4 overall pick in the first-year player draft.
While the initial belief was that the Cubs drafted Schwarber in order to save money for a run on arms in subsequent rounds, the 21-year-old catcher/outfielder already has proved to be more than a cost-saving pick thanks to a tremendous start to his professional career—a start that has him on the fast track to the major leagues.
After Schwarber and the Cubs agreed to a $3.125 million signing bonus—well below the $4.621 million value ...
Player: Jordan Brink
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: RHP
DOB: 03/18/1993 (Age: 21)
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 200 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Fresno State
Previously Drafted: Never
Background
Recruited by Fresno State as a left-handed-hitting outfielder, Jordan Brink’s bat never developed as hoped and produced a .224/.292/.299 batting line with 81 strikeouts in 108 games through his first two seasons. However, with his bat faltering as a sophomore in 2013, Brink started receiving more opportunities on the mound as a reliever and eventually pitched his way into the team’s starting rotation by season’s end. The right-hander finished the year with a 3.92 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 59.2 innings.
Brink has struggled ...
Player: James Norwood
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: RHP
DOB: 12/24/1993 (Age: 20)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 200 pounds
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: St. Louis
Previously Drafted: Never
Background
Hailing from the Bronx in New York City, right-hander James Norwood went undrafted out of high school in 2011 and followed through on his commitment to St. Louis University.
Norwood appeared in 20 games for the Bilikens as a freshman, as he showed the ability to consistently miss bats out of the bullpen and also made four starts. Overall, he registered a 2.23 ERA and 36/12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 40.1 innings.
Norwood was expected to move into the starting rotation in 2013—or at least start ...
Player: Dylan Cease
Drafted by: Chicago Cubs
Position: RHP
DOB: 12/28/1995 (Age: 18)
Height/Weight: 6’2”, 180 lbs
Bats/Throws: R/R
School: Milton (Georgia) High School
College Commitment: Vanderbilt
Background
Dylan Cease entered the spring as likely Day 1 draft pick after an impressive showing last summer on the showcase circuit, and it was widely believed that he’d eventually force his way into the top half of the first round with his outstanding combination of athleticism and arm strength. However, that wouldn’t be the case, as Cease suffered a partial tear of the UCL in his right elbow in late March that ultimately sidelined him for the remainder of his highly ...
We’re a little more than a month into the season and it’s already clear the Chicago White Sox’s Jose Abreu is this year’s Cuban sensation.
In 2012 it was Yoenis Cespedes. Last year, it was Yasiel Puig. But once Abreu’s reign of rookie production comes to an end this fall, which Cuban player is the next in line to become a star in 2015?
The popular pick is 22-year-old Jorge Soler, who is currently on the seven-day disabled list for Double-A Tennessee, the Chicago Cubs’ affiliate in the Southern League. Signed to a nine-year contract in June, 2012, around the same time ...
The Chicago Cubs' System Check video offers a quick overview of the team's farm system, addressing its strengths and weaknesses and how it can improve moving forward. The video also breaks down the Cubs’ top prospects for 2014—Javier Baez, Albert Almora and Kris Bryant—including each player's ETA in the major leagues and potential long-term role within the organization.Read more Chicago Cubs news on BleacherReport.com
The last half-decade has been rough for the Chicago Cubs.
The franchise owns a 356-453 overall record since its last playoff berth in 2008, recording only one winning season (2009) during that span. And if that wasn’t bad enough, the Cubs are coming off back-to-back dismal seasons in which they combined for 197 losses.
However, help is on the way.
If you’ve seen my top 100 prospects and farm system rankings for 2014, then you probably already know that the Cubs’ collection of prospects is among the best in baseball. Specifically, the organization placed seven players in the top 100, with three ranking ...
The Chicago Cubs' collection of top prospects is among the best in baseball, with four players who will rank in next week’s top 50 prospects update and a few more who would land in the top 100.
Leading the pack is shortstop Javier Baez, who is arguably the most exciting offensive prospect in the game. Last season, the now-21-year-old posted a .920 OPS with 37 home runs and 20 stolen bases in 537 plate appearances between High-A Daytona and Double-A Tennessee.
Alongside Baez on the Cubs’ future infield is third baseman Kris Bryant, the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2013, who ...
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