You do not have to dig deep into the numbers to realize 2024 was a nightmare for Javier Báez. If you somehow forgot because you did not see the pitchforks by Tigers fans out on social media, here’s a quick refresher. Career lows in wins above replacement, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS-plus. His slash line of .184/.221/.294 looked more like a late-career Chris Davis than anything resembling an everyday shortstop.
Báez wasn’t just struggling at the plate. He was injured, limited to just 80 games. As the production dried up, the talk around his contract, a six-year, $140 million deal signed before the 2022 season, got louder. It has been mentioned as one of the worst signings in Tigers history, a cautionary tale and, at times, viewed as money simply being burned.
Something had to change, and going into 2025, it finally has.
The first signs of this change were smartly highlighted by the Make the Cut channel on YouTube, who broke down the mechanical differences between Báez’s 2024 and 2025 setups. Watching side-by-side video of his stance made it clear. This isn’t a small tweak. It is a full-on overhaul.
A New Setup, Closed Off and Calmer
Last year, Báez stood 33 degrees open at the plate. This year, he is nearly closed off, sitting at just 10 degrees open according to Baseball Savant. His feet are spread out more too, going from 31.2 inches to 33.3 inches. On top of that, he has moved up in the box. In 2024, he set up 27.1 inches deep, but this year he is standing at just 19.6 inches. From my perspective, that adjustment could be helping him see the ball a little better and stay on pitches longer.
His hands, once draped lazily on his shoulders with the bat bouncing around like a nervous tic, are now tucked just above his shoulders, tighter and quieter.
The result is less unnecessary bat movement. More control. A different kind of swing.
The Good, the Bad, and the Interesting
Now, the trade-off here is real. Báez’s bat speed has dropped about 3 mph compared to 2024, from 74.8 mph to 71.5 mph. His average exit velocity is down slightly, and both his barrel rate (7.8 percent to 2.2 percent) and hard-hit rate (40 percent to 30.8 percent) have dipped.
If you are only looking for big power numbers, you are going to be disappointed.
But that is not the story here.
Báez’s biggest problem the last few years was not just weak contact. It was that he hardly ever hit the ball at all. We have all seen the memes of him swinging across the batter’s box.
He is also drawing walks, a small sample size so far, but already improving over last season’s pace.
Just today, Báez added to his season totals, ripping an RBI double down the line, then following it up with a single and a stolen base in the seventh inning.
And so far, the early returns are hard to argue with. Báez is hitting .296, not just surviving, but contributing again.
More subtly, Báez’s spray chart shows he is doing a better job of hitting line drives, at a 28 percent clip, which has been one of the higher percentages of his career.
One other thing worth noting. Báez is still hitting in the bottom part of the Tigers’ order, the same general spot where he struggled so badly last year. Credit A.J. Hinch and the coaching staff for sticking with that approach. Instead of trying to “hide” Báez or unnecessarily shake things up, they kept him in a familiar role, giving him the space to focus on better at-bats without added pressure. So far, it is paying off.
Still Flashing the Leather
One thing that never fully abandoned Báez is his glove. Even during his struggles, he remained an above-average defender, even with the throws being inconsistent in the infield.
Through early 2025, Báez already has 3 Outs Above Average (OAA) while playing shortstop, third base, and center field. His success rate on defensive plays sits at 82 percent, compared to an expected success rate of 78 percent. That means he is still adding value with his glove, not just his bat.
More surprising is how he has adapted to center field. Though the sample size is small, Báez has shown natural athleticism, strong reads off the bat, and good instincts in a completely new position. It is another sign that he is finding ways to add value even beyond the infield dirt.
Why the Tigers Will Take It
Through the early part of 2025, Báez is sitting at a 93 OPS-plus. That is not All-Star level, but it would be his best mark since 2021. Factor in his still-strong defensive versatility, and a potential WAR north of 2.0 is not crazy, which would put him as an average player who is contributing.
Given where he was last year, buried at the bottom of the order with one of the worst slash lines in baseball, this is a huge win. Both for Báez personally and for a Tigers team that can use every bit of stability it can get.
Look, is Báez going to turn back into the electrifying, chaos-creating All-Star he once was with the Cubs? Probably not. But if he can keep this version going, a disciplined, defense-first, league-average bat, it is a vital piece for a Detroit team trying to carve out multiple playoff runs over the next few years.
Considering where things stood 12 months ago, Tigers fans will take it.
By the Numbers, 2024 vs 2025 Early Comparison
| Year | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS | OPS-plus | Walks | Chase Rate | Whiff Rate |
| 2024 | .183 | .221 | .294 | .516 | 46 | 12 (80 G) | 43.2 percent | 30.2 percent |
| 2025 | .296 | .342 | .366 | .708 | 95 | 4 | 37.31 percent | 29 percent |
Note: 2025 stats as of April 27, 2025
What to Watch For
Even with the early improvements at the plate and his versatility in the field, there are still a few things worth keeping an eye on with Báez.
First, while the overall defensive metrics are strong, he has still shown some inconsistency on throws from shortstop. Occasionally, the footwork gets rushed, leading to some errant throws that pull the first baseman off the bag. It is not a major liability, but it is something the Tigers will want to clean up, especially in tighter games.
That said, the numbers tell the bigger story. Báez grades out as a solid defender at short by Outs Above Average, and remains a plus arm across the diamond. More surprising is his early work in center field. Though he only has a handful of innings there so far, Báez has shown natural athleticism and strong reads off the bat, suggesting he could be a legitimate emergency option up the middle if the Tigers need it.
Final Thoughts
As Andy Dirks said during Sunday’s broadcast, after Báez drew a walk in the 5th, “Let the past be the past and have some fun.” That might be the best way to look at it.
With all the injuries the Tigers have dealt with early this season, Báez stepping up is one of the reasons why Detroit currently sits in first place. Nobody is asking him to be a superstar. They just require him to be a contributor, and so far, he is delivering exactly that.
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Joe Rampe