Jan. 20--Javier Baez's comfort level in center field improved as more fly balls were hit in his direction last month.
That bodes well for Baez's stock as well as manager Joe Maddon's list of options in 2016.
Maddon's premium on versatility was evident from last April when he played third baseman Kris Bryant in center field less than a week after he made his major-league debut.
Baez, whose infield defense has impressed Maddon, passed a test last month when he played well in four games in center field for Santurce in the Puerto Rican League.
"I thought it was going to be hard for me," said Baez, who threw out a runner trying to stretch a single into a double in his second game Dec. 23 against Caguas. "But after the first game, everything went well. I feel comfortable."
Although Jason Heyward is projected as the Cubs' starting center fielder, it wouldn't be strange for him to move to right in late-inning situations if Baez can continue his improvement in center and hit with enough efficiency.
Baez, 23, who made a smooth transition from shortstop to second base in the second half of 2014, felt even more comfortable after making seven putouts in center against Mayaguez on Dec. 27.
Doug Dascenzo, the organization's minor-league outfielder and baserunning coordinator who played five seasons for the Cubs, worked with Baez in Puerto Rico. Coach Dave Martinez was encouraged with the reports he received on Baez.
"I just want to work on his footwork with balls hit over his head, moving to his left and right," Martinez said. "He's going to be OK. He's a good athlete."
