Baez age 23: 146 PA; 21.2%; 6.2; .708.

Of further note: Zo’s numbers came when it was much easier to hit in the league (2007, fewer shifts, higher strikes, more PEDs); still, his .391 OPS– AND EVEN K:BB RATE–were worse than anything Javy’s ever done.

Your Zobrist references are understood–few have as good a command of the zone, esp not Baez–but spend a lil more time realizing Zo was not always Zo and you may be surprised.

Despite Baez’ gruesome start in ’14, his slash line for his 1st 3 yrs is better than that of Zo over hist 1st 3–despite Baez hitting the show at an age 5 yrs younger than Zo. Baez is far, far more advanced than Zo was at the same age, and has a far greater ceiling (how many middle IF can you name who hit 37 HR in 1 minor league season?).

I absolutely love Zobrist, have for yrs, but Baez has more power, speed, and range already; his discipline, growth and progress, so well documented by you here, have probly surprised us all. Good odds that he eclipses Zobrist’s formidable all-around game–as soon as next yr.