World Series Wednesday: Javy Baez

Today we begin a new #WorldSeriesWednesday series in which we will highlight players and staff who stopped through Iowa on their way to making history with the 2016 World Champion Chicago Cubs. Today's spotlight shines on utility infielder and post-season standout Javy Baez. 

Javier Baez (2014-16)
Drafted: 1st round (9th overall) by the Chicago Cubs in 2011
MLB Debut: August 5, 2014
Iowa Cubs Career: 178G, .287, 37 HR, 142 RBI

From 2011 draftee to 2016 NLCS co-MVP, Javy Baez has come a long way in his short time on a professional diamond. Still only 23-years-old, the utility infielder was always surrounded by high expectations. His minor league career was loaded with awards at every level, but many feared that his 76 strikeouts in 70 games with Iowa in 2015 as well as injuries in the last two seasons could derail his progress. Baez proved them wrong. 

Baez made his Iowa Cubs debut in 2014 and the then-21 year-old swatted .260 with 23 homers and 80 RBI through 104 games. His long ball total paced the Iowa squad and was the most in a season for any I-Cub since Anthony Rizzo also hit 23 in 2012.

Baez's performance in Des Moines earned him his first trip to Chicago on August 5 when the big league club selected his contract. He appeared in 52 games for Cubs, hitting .169 (36-for-213) with 20 RBI while moving between second base and shortstop. 

In 2015, Baez began the season in Iowa and settled into his surroundings. He improved on his Triple-A rookie average by more than .060 points to .324 (91-for-281), though he was limited to 70 games due to injury and a stay on the bereavement list after the passing of his sister. He was no slouch on defense either. 

He did earn a September call-up and the emerging star hit .289 (22-for-76) in 28 games with the Cubs. This helped him to spots on both the NLDS and CS rosters in Chicago's first trip to the post season since 2008. The young Cub impressed by going 5-for-15 with a homer and three RBI in October. 

In 2016, Baez earned a spot on the Chicago roster out of gate, though he missed Opening Day due to an injury to his finger suffered on a head-first dive in spring training. Baez made a quick four-game pitstop in Iowa on a rehab assignment in April before joining Chicago two weeks into the season. Throughout the year, the 23-year-old solidified himself as a Chicago mainstay. Baez played every infield position and delighted fans with his regular web gems. 

He hit .273 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI in his first full big league regular season, but he wasn't done. October is when Baez made a name for himself.

On October 7, in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Giants, Baez launched a long ball into the net overhanging left field to give the Cubs the 1-0 advantage and the eventual victory in series opener. 

Baez went on to go 6-for-16 in the NLDS and his .318 average and spectacular glove work in the NLCS earned him a co-MVP nod along with starting pitcher John Lester. 

His average dipped to .167 during the World Series, but he his defense continued to be invaluable. 

And he did contribute this blast in Game 7. 

Still a few weeks shy of his 24th birthday (Dec. 1), it's safe to say Baez's future is bright. Des Moines was lucky to host him for 178 games.