The MLB season is reaching its conclusion. And while some teams are jockeying for playoff position, others are already prepping their rosters for next year.
September is usually the point of the MLB season that non-contending teams recall prospects from the minor leagues to give them a taste of big league action. The hope is that these players can learn from their time in the majors and use that to advance their skills for the next season. Although, September call-ups aren’t just for the bottom feeders of the league. More teams are using the expanded roster period to not only give young minor leaguers experience, but give their team that much-needed jolt of adrenaline.
The Chicago Cubs have become one of baseball’s best young teams. They reinvigorated the city with a slew of young prospects such as Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber, Addison Russell and Jorge Soler. But now that the opportunity for expanded rosters has approached, the team will look to add one more notable young phenom to the mix, Javier Baez.
Baez was a September call-up last season, but didn’t make the Cubs 2015 opening day roster. He was able to hit 9 home runs during his 2014 stint in the majors, but only batted .169 through 213 at-bats.
The majority of Baez’s 2015 season was spent at AAA .He proceeded to post the best batting average of his career, hitting .328 through 293 at-bats.
The decision to give Baez another shot at the majors was a no-brainer, especially since current infielder, Starlin Castro, has struggled so mightily in recent weeks. The Cubs fully expect Baez to contribute for the team. And If you ask Cubs President, Theo Epstein, Baez’s time with the major league club is well deserved.
“He’s in a good place,” Epstein said. “He has earned his way and worked his way into this position to come up and contribute to a winning team.”
As the Cubs make their push for the playoffs, you can expect their young core of superstars to lead the way. The addition of Javier Baez will undoubtedly go a long way in strengthening the team for their October run. September call-ups are one of the best advantages a team or manager has at their disposal. While it gives some a chance to evaluate future talent, the opportunity it presents to a team like Chicago could be the difference between being a Wild Card to being a World Series contender.
Who knows how Baez will pan out during his second stint in the major leagues. If anything he provides the team with another capable hitter that has displayed some home run power in the past. If he does that, September will have been a major success.