Chicago Cubs: Breakout season has Javier Baez in the mix for NL MVP

Chicago Cubs: A daily highlight reel at Wrigley Field

On any given day, Javier Baez can literally will his team to a victory.

Some days, it’s completing a pickoff play with Willson Contreras. Others, it’s going for a swim – no, not in Lake Michigan, but around an opponent’s tag at the bag. I’d say his physical abilities are unrivaled. But that’s not fair. His sheer baseball IQ surpasses even his physical gifts – which says a lot about what kind of player the Cubs have on their hands.

With Bryant sidelined, Baez has seen time at every infield position. As the season has progressed, you can tell he’s always on the mind of pitchers. He’s forced errant throws, flat out taken bases on them when they let their guard down and has even stolen home … again.

This is a kid who wants to be the best player – period. Not just on the Cubs. Not even in the National League. But he wants to bring his fiery passion to the front of all of baseball. And, if he can keep this up through the ‘dog days’ of summer, he may be rewarded with the game’s top honors.

All while chasing a second World Series ring.