Cubs draft hitter with ‘lightning-quick’ bat

The Cubs feel they got a top-flight bat in Monday’s first round of the amateur draft.

With the ninth pick overall, they selected shortstop Javier Baez out of Arlington Country Day School in Jacksonville, Fla.

“We do feel that he’s probably one of the two better hitters in this whole draft,” said scouting director Tim Wilken.

The 18-year-old Baez is a native of Bayamon, Puerto Rico. The 6-foot-1, 205-pounder batted .771 (64-for-83) with 20 doubles, 6 triples, 22 homers and 52 RBI in 115 plate appearances in leading Arlington Country Day to the National Association of Christian Athletics championship this season.

He was named by Baseball America as the best pure hitter among all high school-eligible players. He was also ranked by Baseball America as the seventh-best overall position player and the fifth-best high school position player.

Now the question remains where he will end up. Some draft experts feel Baez will end up at third base. His arm appears suitable for any position.

“I’ve had this question asked not only in our room but outside the room,” Wilken said. “I think he projects anywhere his bat’s going to take him. He can play short. We’ll just let that take care of itself. We’re going to find out from him. He’s going to tell use on the field. I have seen him play at third. Our scouts have seen him play at third. We’ve even seen him catch. I wouldn’t doubt that he could play second as well. He’s a baseball player.”

Some reports describe Baez as having a “lightning-quick” bat. There had been some concern expressed in various places about his temperament.

“He’s a very quiet young man off the field, very fiery on the field,” Wilken said. “He’s confident, but it’s silent confidence. He has very good makeup off the field.

“He doesn’t mince his words. You’re going to get a straight answer. There’s not going to be a lot of verbiage in between.”