My immediate reaction is similar to this child here: http://youtu.be/pFlcqWQVVuU
After a horrendous start, Baez has really turn it on, bringing his average up to .260 with 23 bombs. His upside is known. He is the prospect every fan has come to know. The worry is balancing realistic expectation and hype.
Baez is a true talent, but there are some trends that need to be addressed in order to temper the excitement:
- Baez has a career MiLB K ratio of 28%, which is still 3% higher than being consider 'awful' (http://www.fangraphs.com/library/offense/rate-stats/). Baez has a quick and powerful swing, but this comes with some consequences. It would be fair to say he could struggle after the initial call up. For this reason, it is good to call him up now to get the test drive out of the way. He has shown the resilience to make adjustments and work hard.
- Career MiLB fielding percentage of .944. For a comparison, Starlin Castro has a career percentage of .963. The glove leaves something to be desired, but Second base may be a great place to stick him.
- Javy is 21 YEARS OLD. If he doesn't not look like Dereck Jeter in his first month, give him a break. Players are not considered in their prime until their late 20's. Mike Trout is the exception, not the rule.
Now that the ground rules are set, it is time for is to enjoy the clear start of the next stage of Cubs Baseball. Welcome, and enjoy. Oh, let's also start watching the #BAEZBOMBS
