MESA, Arizona — It was near the end of Wednesday’s Cubs workout. Javier Baez was taking his turn in the cage, facing Cubs prospect Oscar De La Cruz. In these BP sessions, players face about five pitches. It ends either on the fifth pitch, or when they make solid contact in fair territory. This simulates an actual at-bat.
For Javy, though, this at-bat ended a little early when De La Cruz threw a pitch (accidentally, we presume!) high and tight, sending Javy running out of the box and, loudly so that all the assembled, players, coaches and fans could hear: “I’m out!