Baez open to playing the outfield

Javier Baez has played some second base, third base and shortstop this season.

The versatile infielder isn't ruling out adding another position to his resume.

Baez said he would welcome the idea to playing outfield, an idea that he said he's talked to Iowa manager Marty Pevey about.

"When I started playing third, I told them I like to play the outfield, too," Baez said. "So I'm just going to try it out and see how it goes.

"I'm really good at the outfield."

The 22-year-old Baez has spent his career bouncing around the infield ever since the Chicago Cubs selected him in the first round of the 2011 draft.

But Baez, who grew up playing some outfield, hasn't given up on his old position.

Baez said there have been talks in the past that he could see playing time there, but Pevey said he didn't have any plans to use the youngster outside of the infield.

"They talked about it, but it wasn't really in their plans," Baez said. "But we'll see what happens when we go up there (to Chicago)."

When or if that time comes this season remains to be seen, but Baez has made an interesting case with his versatility throughout the infield and his big bat, which has produced a .292 batting average with 11 doubles and 11 homers in 51 games with Iowa this season.

Baez, who made his big league debut last season, struggled in 52 big-league games in 2014 and then again in spring training this year, forcing the Cubs to send him back to the minor leagues.

"I had a rough year last year and this year has been tough on me because of the injuries I've had," Baez said. "But you know — there's nothing you can do about it. You've just got to come back and keep it going."

Baez has since cooled off and for the first time this season, tallying just three hits in his last 24 at-bats in seven games.

If Baez does get hot again, what will happen to him? The Cubs already have Kris Bryant at third and have moved Addison Russell to shortstop. Starlin Castro reportedly fielded grounders before Tuesday's game at second and third.

"I don't really pay attention to what's going on up there," Baez said. "I'm just trying to play my game and get better myself."

Wednesday's Recap

Dallas Beeler tossed 62/ 3 strong innings and picked up the win in a 3-1 victory over the Nashville Sounds at Principal Park Wednesday night.

Beeler improved to 5-5 on the season by striking out three, walking two and allowing just one run on six hits. He was lifted after allowing a two-out single in the seventh.

Iowa reliever Ryan Buchter issued two walks to load the bases, but worked out of the jam by striking out Joey Wendle to end the inning.

NASHVILLE ab r h bi IOWA ab r h bi Gentry cf 3 0 0 0 Andreoli rf 4 0 1 0 Wendle 2b 4 0 1 0 Szczur cf 2 1 1 0 Roberts dh 4 0 0 0 Baez ss 2 1 1 1 Pridie rf 3 0 0 0 Villanueva 3b 2 0 0 1 Smolinski lf 3 0 0 0 Olt dh 3 0 0 0 Muncy 1b 4 0 0 0 Alcantara 2b 3 1 1 1 Parrino ss 4 1 2 0 Teagarden c 3 0 0 0 Morel 3b 4 0 3 0 Valaika 1b 3 0 0 0 Anderson c 3 0 1 1 Baxter lf 2 0 0 0 Totals 32 1 7 1 Totals 24 3 4 3

Nashville…000 010 000—1

Iowa…000 200 10X—3

DP—Nashville 2, Iowa 1. LOB—Nashville 9, Iowa 1. 2B—Morel (4), Szczur (11), Andreoli (16). 3B—Baez (2). HR—Alcantara (12). SF—Villanueva. SAC—Szczur. SB— . CS—Gentry (6).

Nashville IP H R ER BB SO Neal L, 7-7 7 4 3 3 1 5 Thompson 1 0 0 0 1 0 Iowa IP H R ER BB SO Beeler W, 5-5 62/ 3 6 1 1 2 3 Buchter H, 13 1/ 3 0 0 0 2 1 Cooper H, 7 2/ 3 0 0 0 1 2 Ortiz H, 2 1/ 3 0 0 0 0 0 Schlitter S, 18 1 1 0 0 0 1

U—Dreckman, Newsom, Fields, Scheurwater. T—2:24. A—6,058.