SPECULATOR: Searching for the next Javier Baez
Feb 13 2019
One of our favorite preseason exercises in this space is to take a breakout performance from the previous season, construct a pre-breakout profile of that player, and look for candidates who might pull off the same leap forward this year.
Our subject this year is Javier Báez (IF, CHC), who posted an amazing 2018 (34-111-.290-21 SB), fulfilling the broad-skilled upside he had teased us with for so long.
If we want to identify some candidates who look today like Baez did a year ago, we could use the following filters:
- age <= 27 (Baez broke out in his age-25 season, but we'll leave some wiggle room here)
- previous high R$ earned < $20
- projected PX 100 and projected Spd 100 (Baez was 129/105 in 2017, then 163/146 in 2018)
- to capture Baez' free-swinging ways, we'll slip a ct% < 76% filter in here as well.
Eyeballing that set of filters, you may not...
Almost!
You’re just a few clicks away from accessing this feature and hundreds more throughout the year that have a singular goal in mind: Winning your league. Subscribe to BaseballHQ.com here!
Already a subscriber? Sign in here
More From Speculator
CJ Abrams has always had the speed, and now both his frequency and quality of contact have taken steps forward.
Aug 5 2026 3:07am
Aug 5 2026 3:07am
We continue the rookie class check-in outside the Top 25 in this year's HQ100.
Jul 29 2026 3:09am
Jul 29 2026 3:09am
We check in on the Top 25 preseason prospects who have made their MLB debut so far, and speculate on their outlooks moving forward.
Jul 22 2026 3:06am
Jul 22 2026 3:06am
How much can we trust certain pitchers entering uncharted workload territory in the second half?
Jul 15 2026 3:07am
Jul 15 2026 3:07am
Aroldis Chapman is likely on the move, but instead of speculating on where he might go, we'll dive into potential fill-ins.
Jul 8 2026 3:07am
Jul 8 2026 3:07am
