Each day in March, NBC Sports Chicago is previewing one player from the Cubs’ expected 2020 Opening Day roster. Next up is shortstop Javier Báez
2019 recap
Báez didn’t repeat his 2018 MVP-caliber season, but he was damn good in 2019. In 138 games, the 27-year-old shortstop hit .281/.316/.531 with 29 home runs, 85 RBIs and a 114 wRC+.
Confoundingly, Báez wasn’t a Gold Glove Award finalist despite leading all MLB infielders in Outs Above Average (+19). He made 15 errors and still finished tied for first in Defensive Runs Saved by MLB shortstops (26) with the Cardinals’ Paul DeJong.