Báez flashes no-look assist in latest trick

MESA, Ariz. -- Spring Training is the perfect time for Javier Báez to practice some new tricks for the season ahead. On Friday, El Mago pulled off another amazing play in the Cubs' 8-3 loss against the rival Brewers.

"I've seen a lot of games you guys," long-time Cubs voice Pat Hughes said on the Marquee Sports Network broadcast. "I don't think I've ever seen that exact play in my entire life."

In the fourth inning, Milwaukee's Derek Fisher slashed a pitch from Cubs righty Keegan Thompson to the shortstop side of second base. Playing up the middle in a shift, Báez quickly spun and reached with his glove, but the baseball nicked the leather and rolled away from him on the dirt.

Báez scrambled after the ball and -- somehow -- shoveled the ball through his legs to Kris Bryant at second base. Orlando Arcia tried to hustle to second from first, but Báez's between-the-legs glove flip was just in time.

Cubs outfielder Jason Heyward was doing an in-game interview with Marquee at that moment.

"I've got nothing," Heyward said. "Just another Javy Báez, being a kid, playing the game. And K.B. knows that he's got a chance to make any play, so he was right there for him. And that's the kind of defense we've become accustomed to as a team."

It was just another highlight-reel maneuver for Báez, who took home his first career Gold Glove Award last season.

"His mind works so very fast," Hughes said. "He didn't plan before that pitch that he was going to toss the ball back like a long snapper in football, but he just reacted. Amazing."

Heyward agreed with that assessment.

"He doesn't plan anything when he's out there on the field," Heyward added, "which is a great way to be. He just reacts. He just enjoys the challenge of every second of every play, and he's always looking to get that edge.

"He's one of the best I've ever seen at playing the game within the game."