Cubs to promote top prospect Javier Baez
The Javier Baez era is set to begin on the north side of Chicago, as the Cubs will recall their 21-year-old shortstop prospect from Triple-A Iowa on Tuesday, the team announced.
The @Cubs confirm that No. 2 prospect Javier Baez will be called up and join the team tomorrow in Colorado. pic.twitter.com/hPWelNt4gm
— MLB (@MLB) August 4, 2014
Widely considered one of the game's elite prospects, Baez hit .260/.323/.510 with 23 home runs and 16 stolen bases through 104 games in the Triple-A Pacific Coast League this season.
Lauded for his immense power and tremendous bat speed, Baez "might have the highest offensive ceiling of any player in the minors," according to Baseball Prospectus' Jason Parks, who adds that the Puerto Rican could be a "generational talent."
Despite a sluggish start to his season, Baez managed a .964 OPS over his last 76 games with Iowa, tallying 44 extra-base hits while striking out 85 times in 316 plate appearances.