Remember when Steph Curry was like a new toy to every basketball fan and he and his teammates were turning their backs to threes they knew were going in? This is the baseball equivalent.
Baez has been a similarly fun player to watch in his baseball career. Heralded for other-worldly bat speed as a prospect, he has surprised scouts by making his stamp on the Cubs’ Championship season with superb defense. Despite a below average 94 wRC+ last season, he still managed to accumulate 2.7 WAR (According to Fangraphs.com). He does crush home runs now and again, but defense has been the constant in his game.
In fact, it has become so routine that he has now found a way to multitask while playing crazy plays in the field. Last night, at a crucial point in the Puerto Rico/Domincan Republic game, he applied this no-look tag to someone trying to steal, while already celebrating Yadier Molina’s throw.
If you’re interested, here’s the full play with commentary.
When people use the expression “They could do that in their sleep”, this is basically what it means.
Also, in the future, probably don't try to send Nelson Cruz on Molina when you're down by two with four outs left. Puerto Rico ended up winning the game 3-1 and will play their next game against Team USA, who will have Marcus Stroman on the mound.
