Chicago Cubs shortstop Javier Báez put together a breakthrough season in 2018, but failed to live up to expectations and draft position last year because of a broken left thumb injury in early September.
His season was effectively derailed and only made a handful of unproductive appearances to close out the year. He also dealt with a heel injury in May.
Baez’s strikeout rate (27.8) remains a liability with little to no sign of improvement in his walk rate (5.0). Baez started strong in April (.302 with 23 runs, 9 HRs, and 22 RBI over 116 at-bats) with a good deal of power in June (seven HRs and 22 RBI).