The wait is over for the No. ninth overall pick in the 2011 draft, as the Cubs’ Javier Baez will be promoted before Tuesday’s game. We are talking about a top-tier prospect who hit 23 jacks in 388 at-bats in Triple-A this season.
Baez has a very high ceiling without a doubt, but don’t expect him to light the league on fire right away. His age and inexperience are certainly working against him as evidenced by the 130 strikeouts this year. It might take until next season for fantasy owners to see dividends and those in keeper or dynasty leagues should be excited about that.
Realistically, Baez should make a little noise in the Big Leagues while also feeling some lumps as he gets adjusted to better pitching. Owners looking for some pop out of a middle fielder should look into picking him up. The Puerto Rican is a natural shortstop but should get time initially at second base, which will presumably bump another prospect, Arismendy Alcantara, to center field.
The 22-year-old Alcantara is a natural second baseman, but possesses enough speed and ability to play the outfield. He made his debut on July 9th and has batted .253 with a pair of homeruns and four steals mostly out of the leadoff spot. The switch-hitter has since cooled off from his hot start making him only valuable in deeper leagues at the moment.
The future is bright though and fantasy owners will want him next year with his second base eligibility coming in handy. He will hit for average and steal lots of bags over his career.
The Cubs look set in the infield for about the next decade with Starlin Castro and Anthony Rizzo holding down shortstop and first base, respectively. Factor in Baez at second with Alcantara also an option, then add Kris Bryant (last year’s No. 2 overall pick) at third and Addison Russell (the main piece in the Jeff Samardzija trade) possible replacing Castro at short.
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