History of Javier Báez in Timeline

Ednel Javier "Javy" Báez, known as "El Mago," is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player currently with the Detroit Tigers. He plays shortstop, third base, and center field. Báez previously played for the Chicago Cubs and the New York Mets. He also represents Puerto Rico on the international baseball stage. Known for his exciting and unconventional style of play, Báez has become a popular figure in MLB.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1906: Cubs' Last 1-0 Playoff Win Before 2016

In 1906, the Chicago Cubs had their last 1-0 win in a playoff game before Báez's contribution in 2016.

1907: Last Cub to Steal Home in Postseason Before Báez

In 1907, Jimmy Slagle was the last Cub before Báez to steal home in a postseason game.

1954: Joe Cunningham's Home Run Record

In 1954, Joe Cunningham set a record that Javier Báez later matched by hitting three home runs in his first three MLB games.

1990: Last Cubs Middle Infielder with 30+ Home Runs and 100+ RBIs

In 1990, before Javier Báez achieved it in 2018, it was the last time a Cubs middle infielder hit 30 or more home runs and scored 100 or more RBIs in the same year.

December 1, 1992: Javier Báez's Birth

On December 1, 1992, Ednel Javier "Javy" Báez, later nicknamed "El Mago," was born. He is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player.

Others born on this day/year

2003: Miguel Cabrera's Extra-Innings Home Run Debut

In 2003, Miguel Cabrera was the last player to hit an extra-innings home run in his debut before Javier Báez.

2005: Move to Florida

In 2005, Javier Báez, along with his mother and siblings, moved from Puerto Rico to Florida to seek medical treatment for his sister's spina bifida.

September 29, 2011: Drafted by Leones de Ponce

On September 29, 2011, Javier Báez was selected third overall by the Leones de Ponce in the Liga de Béisbol Profesional Roberto Clemente's (LBPRC) rookie draft, but he did not play.

2011: Drafted by the Chicago Cubs

In 2011, the Chicago Cubs selected Javier Báez with the ninth overall pick in the MLB draft.

2012: Rated as a Top Prospect

In 2012, MLB.com rated Javier Báez as the 62nd-best prospect in baseball. He made his regular season debut with the Peoria Chiefs of the Class A Midwest League, and was later promoted to the Daytona Cubs.

June 10, 2013: Four Home Runs in One Game

On June 10, 2013, Javier Báez hit four home runs in a single game while playing for the Daytona Cubs, becoming the second player in the history of the Florida State League to achieve this feat.

July 6, 2013: Promotion to Tennessee Smokies

On July 6, 2013, Javier Báez was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies of the Class AA Southern League after improving his plate discipline.

October 28, 2013: MiLBY Award for Best Minor League Game

On October 28, 2013, Javier Báez won the MiLBY Award for Best Minor League Game of the Year, recognizing his four-home run game.

May 16, 2014: Started Hitting Streak

On May 16, 2014, Javier Báez began a hitting streak after adopting a more patient approach at the plate.

May 22, 2014: Signing Dispute in LBPRC

On May 22, 2014, the Cangrejeros de Santurce signed Javier Báez, but the Leones de Ponce reclaimed his rights citing the Winter League Agreement.

May 26, 2014: PCL Player of the Week

On May 26, 2014, Javier Báez was named the PCL Player of the Week for the previous week.

August 18, 2014: Joined Jason Kipnis in Home Run Feat

On August 18, 2014, Javier Báez hit his fifth home run in 14 games, joining Jason Kipnis as the only other second baseman to do so in the last 100 years.

2014: Finished Season at Shortstop

In 2014, Javier Báez finished the season playing shortstop for the Cubs after Castro's injury. He played in 52 games with 9 home runs and 20 RBI, but had a high strikeout rate.

2014: MLB Debut

In 2014, Javier Báez made his Major League Baseball debut with the Chicago Cubs.

March 30, 2015: Optioned to Iowa Cubs

On March 30, 2015, Javier Báez was optioned to the Iowa Cubs after struggling in spring training.

April 8, 2015: Death of his sister, Noely

On April 8, 2015, Javier Báez's sister, Noely, passed away at the age of 21 due to spina bifida. He took a leave of absence from the Iowa Cubs to cope with the loss.

2016: Solo Home Run in NLDS Game 1

In 2016, Javier Báez hit a solo home run in Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants, securing a 1-0 victory for the Cubs.

2016: NLCS Co-MVP and World Series Win

In 2016, Javier Báez was named NLCS co-MVP and was part of the Cubs' World Series win. Báez also received the Fielding Bible Award.

2016: National League Championship Series MVP and World Series Champion

In 2016, Javier Báez was named the National League Championship Series co-MVP along with Jon Lester. The Cubs also won the 2016 World Series. Báez is also the cover athlete for MLB The Show 20.

March 10, 2017: First career WBC hit

On March 10, 2017, Javier Báez got his first career World Baseball Classic (WBC) hit, a single against Deolis Guerra of Venezuela, also earning an RBI while playing for the Puerto Rican national team.

2017: "El Mago" nickname

In 2017, Javier Báez chose "El Mago" (Spanish for "The Magician") as his nickname for the Players Weekend.

2017: Consistent Performance and Fielding Bible Award

In 2017, Javier Báez had a solid season with a .273 average, 23 home runs, and 75 RBIs. He also received the Fielding Bible's Multi-Position award.

April 11, 2018: Engagement to Irmarie Márquez

On April 11, 2018, Javier Báez announced his engagement to his longtime girlfriend, Irmarie Márquez, via Twitter.

June 28, 2018: Birth of his son

On June 28, 2018, Javier Báez and Irmarie Márquez welcomed their son.

2018: "El Mago" nickname

In 2018, Javier Báez chose "El Mago" (Spanish for "The Magician") as his nickname for the Players Weekend.

2018: Stellar Performance and MVP Runner-Up

In 2018, Javier Báez had a batting average of .290 with 34 home runs and a league-leading 111 RBIs. He finished second in the National League MVP voting.

2018: All-Star Selection and Home Run Feats

In 2018, Javier Báez was named the starting second baseman for the MLB All-Star Game. He also achieved milestones in home runs, RBIs, and stolen bases and hit a 481-foot home run.

January 26, 2019: Marriage to Irmarie Márquez

On January 26, 2019, Javier Báez married Irmarie Márquez in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Irmarie is the sister of Jannieliz Márquez, who is married to fellow Puerto Rican baseball player José Berríos.

June 23, 2019: 100th Career Home Run

On June 23, 2019, Javier Báez hit his 100th career home run against the New York Mets.

August 8, 2019: Batted left-handed for the first time

On August 8, 2019, Javier Báez batted left-handed in a game for the first time against Kyle Farmer, an infielder pitching during a 12–5 blowout in the 9th inning.

2020: Struggles at the plate due to ban of in-game video review

In 2020, Javier Báez had a batting average of .203/.238/.360 in 222 at-bats, with the lowest on-base percentage among qualified NL batters. He attributed these struggles to MLB's ban on in-game video review following the Houston Astros' sign-stealing scandal, stating he relies on in-game video to make adjustments.

May 27, 2021: Error-filled play against the Pirates

On May 27, 2021, Javier Báez reached first base due to an error by the first baseman and advanced to second due to another error by the catcher during a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. A routine ground ball led to a chaotic play, allowing Willson Contreras to score from second.

June 21, 2021: Benched for base-running error

On June 21, 2021, Javier Báez was benched by Cubs manager David Ross after he was doubled off first base because he mistakenly thought there were two outs.

July 30, 2021: Traded to the New York Mets

On July 30, 2021, Javier Báez, along with Trevor Williams and cash considerations, was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Pete Crow-Armstrong. He chose to wear number 23 to honor Ryne Sandberg. This marks a significant career milestone for Báez.

December 1, 2021: Signed with the Detroit Tigers

On December 1, 2021, Javier Báez signed a six-year, $140 million contract with the Detroit Tigers and chose to wear No. 28 since his preferred numbers were already taken.

2021: High strikeout rate and low walk rate in the majors

In 2021, Javier Báez had the worst walk/strikeout ratio in the majors, at 0.15. He swung at and missed 21.7% of all pitches, the highest percentage in MLB.

2021: Traded to the New York Mets and Signed with the Detroit Tigers

In 2021, Javier Báez was traded to the New York Mets. After the 2021 season ended, he became a free agent and subsequently signed a six-year contract with the Detroit Tigers.

2021: Báez mistakenly thought there were two outs

In 2021, much like the incident with the Cubs, Javier Báez mistakenly thought there were two outs.

April 8, 2022: Walk-off single in Tigers debut

On April 8, 2022, Javier Báez hit a ninth-inning walk-off single in his Detroit Tigers debut, securing a 5-4 victory against the Chicago White Sox.

March 11, 2023: Participated in first WBC game against Nicaragua

On March 11, 2023, Javier Báez played in his first World Baseball Classic game against Nicaragua, going 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

April 5, 2023: Benched by manager A. J. Hinch for "rest purposes"

On April 5, 2023, Javier Báez was benched by Detroit Tigers manager A. J. Hinch for "rest purposes" after struggling at the plate in the first five games, batting .100/.143/.100.

2023: Known for aggression while batting

In 2023, Javier Baéz had the lowest on-base percentage in the American League, along with a 44% chase rate. Baéz is also known for his aggression while batting, rarely walking while striking out at high rates.

2023: Lowest OBP in the AL

In 2023, Javier Báez had the lowest on-base percentage (OBP) in the American League (AL), batting .222/.267/.325.

2024: Struggles and season-ending hip surgery

In 2024, Javier Báez struggled, leading to his contract being called "the worst in baseball". Despite a brief streak of homering in three consecutive games, he ended the season early for hip surgery, after slashing .184/.221/.294 in 80 games.