Cubs promote top prospect Baez

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The Cubs' top prospect is getting a promotion.

No, it's not Brett Jackson or Josh Vitters, but it may be almost as significant.

Javier Baez, the Cubs' 2011 first-round draft pick, is making the jump from Low-A Peoria to High-A Daytona, as reported by our friend John Arguello over at CubsDen.

Baez, a 19-year-old infielder, was rated by Arguello as the Cubs' top prospect in the latest rankings, and it's hard to argue with that now that Anthony Rizzo is on the big-league club.

The ninth overall pick spent time with the Cubs' rookie league and short-season A ball in Boise last year, but played in just five games. He joined Peoria's squad earlier this season and dominated, posting a .333.383.596 slash line (.979 OPS) with 12 homers, 33 RBI, 41 runs and 20 steals in 23 attempts.

Some question whether the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Baez will be able to stick at shortstop long-term -- especially with Starlin Castro's presence -- and he had some growing pains in the field for the Chiefs, with 15 errors in 52 games.

Baez doesn't turn 20 until December 1 and will be one of the youngest players in High-A ball. If things go well, he may make his big-league debut sooner rather than later.

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