Cubs: Why would anybody bother throwing Javier Baez a strike?

The Chicago Cubs just aren’t hitting. where I have heard that before? Even mild success seems to be a problem for some people. Take All-Star shortstop Javier Baez, for example.

Watching Baez bat so far this season has been full of a few highs and some very low lows, mostly the latter. Having hit three homers early, he is now convinced he can hit any pitch he can see. His second at-bat Monday in the series opener against Milwaukee featured him throwing his bat at a two-strike pitch that was so far outside he probably couldn’t have hit it swinging a telephone pole. It was his second strikeout in the first two at-bats in the game.

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In the thrashing we took from the Pirates Sunday, he homered early, then struck out badly three times, leaving three runners on base. Did I just actually write the word ‘thrashing’ in connection with the Pirates?

On the year, Baez has whiffed in 43.6 percent of his at-bats. That cannot continue. He’s swinging at balls outside the strike zone over 40 percent of the time. In other words, he’s turning back the clock to his free-swinging ways from early in his career. And that’s bad for him and bad for the Cubs.

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You have to admire David Ross for his patience. I’m surprised he hasn’t moved Baez to eighth batter until he gets the hint. Yes, it’s true, no one has been exactly burning up the place from the plate, but all the more reason not to waste opportunities to score runs.

Heading into Monday, I felt good that it didn’t look like his woes at the plate carried over to the field. But then he uncorked a wild throw on a ground ball that went viral. Prior to that, he has been borderline spectacular at short. The question is, does that make up for lost at-bats, with some of them seemingly thrown away? Maybe Baez needs to feel some heat at shortstop? Nico Hoerner, are you listening?

Baez, you know they are watching you don’t you? It’s your year to prove you should be re-signed by the Cubs, or—failing at that, get a big contract somewhere else for 2022 and beyond. That’s something that would be a great shame for Cubs fans everywhere, but if he keeps showing no plate discipline like he has to this point, maybe that’s up for debate?

I know it’s still early, but it is troublesome after watching the offense the Cubs displayed in last year’s short season. Your glove is amazing, El Mago. I’ve seen you be more thoughtful and patient at the plate before. It’s time for us all to see that approach again. Your team needs you.

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