Inbox: Could Baez snag NL Gold Glove Award?

Javier Baez’s defensive skills, Carl Edwards Jr.’s future and what manager Joe Maddon drinks in-game are among the topics in this week’s Cubs Inbox.

Can Baez qualify for a National League Gold Glove Award this year? If so, at what infield position? — Clara J., Wilmette, Ill.

Baez could get votes, but he doesn’t really have enough innings compared to other full-time infielders at their respective positions. Here’s his fielding breakdown:

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Second base: 32 games, 236 2/3 innings, three errors, .979 fielding percentage, .831 zone rating Third base: 50 games, 283 2/3 innings, six errors, .938 fielding percentage, .784 zone rating Shortstop: 13 games, 105 innings, no errors, 1.000 fielding percentage, .848 zone rating

Among National League second basemen who have played at least 67 games, the Cubs’ Ben Zobrist has the top fielding percentage (.994), and he’s played 714 2/3 innings there. At third base, the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado, the Dodgers’ Justin Turner and the Marlins’ Martin Prado all have a .982 fielding percentage, and they’ve each played more than 860 innings there. The Pirates’ Jordy Mercer has the top fielding percentage among NL shortstops (.989), and he has started …

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