Jeffrey Baez Stats & Scouting Report

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Signed for $350,000 in 2010, Baez (no relation to Cubs big leaguer Javier) has started to earn Raul Mondesi and Marlon Byrd comparisons for his burly body and power-speed tools. He's started to put them into practice in his first full season after a brutal start. He was hitting .176 as late as July 9 before getting hot. He finished the year with high Class A Myrtle Beach, going 4-for-13 in the Carolina League playoffs. He's at least 40 pounds heavier than his listed weight but remains a plus runner, if not a tick better, and he's a solid basestealer who's hard to double-up as well. Despite the added bulk he plays a solid center field. Baez has the plus arm to fit in right field and has plus raw power, which he would tap into more consistently with a better approach. His bat is fast and he has plenty of present strength. Baez's lack of conditioning hasn't helped; it contributed to his slow start and likely convinced the Cubs to try to slide him through the Rule 5 draft. He should move up to a full year at high Class A for 2016 and profiles as a potential starting right fielder if he gets in better shape.

Baez signed for $350,000 and had progressed slowly prior to having his best season in 2014. Somewhat squat-bodied but with strength, he has plenty of tools, including a plus arm, plus raw power and plus speed. Baez led Boise in home runs (seven) despite earning a promotion to low Class A Kane County for the season's final six weeks. He's extremely aggressive at the plate, which leads to too many strikeouts. All the tools show up for flashes, though there is some concern about his ability to grind through at-bats and compete consistently. At his best, Baez invokes comparisons with former big leaguer Raul Mondesi. "If he commits himself, the sky's the limit," Boise manager Gary Van Tol said. The skipper got a first-hand look at some of Baez's extraordinary skills, including an arm that has