Report: Javier Baez Will Play Third Base At Triple-A Iowa

(CBS) In a move that could hint at a big league call-up soon, Cubs prospect Javier Baez will begin playing third base at Triple-A Iowa on Wednesday, the Des Moines Register's Tommy Birch reported.

Baez came up through the Cubs' system as a shortstop before also getting consistent time at second base these past two seasons. But with Addison Russell -- also a natural shortstop -- manning second base in the majors with Starlin Castro at shortstop, there hasn't been any room to get Baez consistent at-bats, which he needed early this season after struggling with strikeouts in 2014.

Until now, perhaps.

Young phenom Kris Bryant has regularly been playing third base for the Cubs, but with his his 6-foot-5 profile and athleticism, some believe his future lies at a corner outfield spot, chasing down flyballs rather than contorting his body for groundballs. Bryant started in left field for Chicago in a loss at Miami on Tuesday night, and it's possible that could become a more permanent home.

Baez is hitting .325 batting average with seven homers and 26 RBIs in 32 games at Iowa. He debuted in majors in August 2014 and hit .169 with nine homers and 20 RBIs in 52 games.