Javier Baez, Kyle Hendricks Named Cubs’ Minor League Player, Pitcher of Year

Mar 7, 2013; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Baez (70) doubles during the ninth inning against the Chicago White Sox at HoHoKam Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

Javier Baez and Kyle Hendricks have been named the Chicago Cubs Minor League Player and Pitcher of the Year, the team announced Friday morning.

The 20 year-old Baez, hit .282 (146-for-517) with 34 doubles, four triples, 37 home runs and 111 RBIs in 130 combined games between Single-A Advanced Daytona and Double-A Tennessee.

He led all minor league players with 111 RBIs and 75 extra-base hits and ranked second in home runs. He also became the first minor league player since 1996 to record 30 doubles, 30 home runs, over 100 RBIs and 20 stolen bases. D.T. Cromer was last to do so in 1996 with Modesto A’S (40 doubles, 30 home runs, 130 RBIs, and 20 stolen bases.

Baez was selected by the Cubs in the first round (ninth overall) in the 2011 draft, he has batted .286 (237-for-828) with 49 doubles, 10 triples, 53 home runs and 158 RBIs in 215 career minor league games.

Acquired by the Cubs from the Texas Rangers along with infielder Christian Villanueva for starting pitcher Ryan Dempster on July 31, 2012, 23 year-old Hendricks went 13-4 with a 2.00 ERA (37 ER/1.66.1 IP) in 27 starts between Tennessee and Triple-A Iowa. He struck out 128, walked 34, had a 3.76 strikeout-to-walk ratio, and allowed five home runs. His ERA ranked seventh-best among full-season minor league pitchers and ninth in innings pitched.

Baez and Hendricks will be honored in a pre-game ceremony at Wrigley Field on Saturday, September 21 before the 3:05 p.m. game against the Atlanta Braves.

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