Oct 7, 2016; Chicago, IL, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Javier Baez (9) acknowledges the crowd after hitting a home run against the San Francisco Giants during the eighth inning during game one of the 2016 NLDS playoff baseball series at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

A look at Chicago Cubs infielder Javier Baez and how he is starting to reach his ridiculous potential in the big leagues.

The Chicago Cubs drafted Javier Baez with the ninth overall pick of the 2011 Amateur Draft. Baez was the last first round selection for the team under former general manager Jim Hendry, before Theo Epstein came in and took over.

Baez was the hot-shot Cubs’ prospect before the days of Kris Bryant, Kyle Schwarber and Addison Russell. In fact, Baez was ranked as the fourth best prospect in all of baseball by Baseball Prospectus in 2014. Scouts always raved about Baez’ defensive ability and raw power at the plate. However, he was always a high-risk, high-reward type of player because of his massive strikeout numbers.

When I think back to those days of tracking Baez in the minor leagues, one quote always sticks out about Baez. At the time, Jason Parks was the leading prospect guru in the industry, working for Baseball Prospectus. Parks is now a scout for the Chicago Cubs.

Way back in January of 2014, Parks was asked to compare Baez and Carlos Correa of the Houston Astros. “Both could be all-stars; Baez could be a religion,” Parks replied. As we have watched Javy Baez grow over the years, that quote continues to stick by me. Parks was always a huge Baez supporter, but talking about his upside in that way was so incredibly exciting. At a time where it was tough to be a Cubs’ supporter, Baez having that kind of upside gave you hope.

Three years and one World Series championship later, I think we are in the latter stages of Baez becoming that religion.

Post-Season Performance

On a Cubs’ team filled with superstar players, Baez is the most exciting of the bunch. We saw his ridiculous skill-set on display throughout the post-season, as Baez really put himself on the national radar.

Baez started every game of the post-season at second base for the Cubs, playing elite-level defense at the position. Baez is an incredible defender who shows elite range, a strong throwing arm and the ability to tag base runners quicker than anybody who I have ever seen.

On top of that, Baez was an offensive force that carried the Cubs’ cold bats through the start of the post-season. Baez hit .375/.412/.563 in the NLDS against the San Francisco Giants, including a solo home run in the eighth inning of a 1-0 Cubs’ Game 1 victory. Baez was the one to get that series started off on the right foot for the Cubs.

He continued his great production in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, hitting .318/.333/.500 on the series, including five doubles, four big RBI and two stolen bases. With his offensive output and sterling defensive play, Baez was named the co-NLCS MVP with Jon Lester.

While he still brought elite defense to the park everyday, Baez’ offensive production did slip a bit in the World Series. However, by that time, guys like Kris Bryant, Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist and Addison Russell were on fire and ready to carry the offense. Through the first two rounds, a majority of the Cubs’ offensive players were struggling. Baez carried that offense when they needed him the most.

He did not have the greatest offensive performance in the World Series, but Baez did hit one of the biggest home runs in the history of the Chicago Cubs. In the top of the fifth inning of Game 7 of the World Series, Baez hit a bomb to put the Cubs up 4-1. Even though he was scuffling, Baez proved once again that he has the power to hit a home run at any time. He showed that at the biggest possible moment.

An elite defender, incredible base runner and impact offensive player who can change the game without a moment’s noticed, Baez is becoming a star in the MLB. There may not be an obvious spot for him in the everyday lineup, but his ridiculous position versatility only adds to the legend that is Baez.

A fan favorite who is only going to get better, Javier Baez is becoming a religion before our eyes.