Javi Vaz #11

Vaz resides in Huntsvilla, Ala....Transferred to Vanderbilt (Tenn.) from 2021-22 and hit .280 (44-for-157) in 51 games as a senior, recording a .402 on-base percentage and .893 OPS with more walks (29) than strikeouts (17)...Attended LSU Eunice Junior College (La.) from 2019-20 and led the Bengals to a 51-8 record and Region 23 title as a freshman...Graduated from Huntsville High School (Ala.) in 2018...Is the son of Roberto Vaz, who played seven years of Minor League ball for the Athletics (1997-2001) and Rangers (2002-03), reaching as high as Triple-A in 2000...Roberto also coached Javier at LSU Eunice Junior College from 2019-20 and has served as the Hitting Coach at Single-A Myrtle Beach in the Cubs organization since 2023.

2024

Appeared in eight Major League Spring Training games and batted .429 (3-for-7) with one run scored and one stolen base...Spent the season with Double-A Northwest Arkansas and slashed .263/.375/.379 (114-for-433, .754 OPS) with 22 doubles, eight home runs, 42 RBI, 16 stolen bases and more walks (73) than strikeouts (60)...Was one of 11 Minor Leaguers to have at least 13 more walks than strikeouts (min. 50 walks)...Received the Mike Sweeney Community Impact Award after he and his teammates from the Naturals participated in the League 42 Clinic at McAdams Park in Wichita, Kan., benefiting the local youth baseball league whose iconic Jackie Robinson statue was stolen in Jan. 2024...Earned the Naturals Player of the Month Award in August after slashing .302/.413/.372 (26-for-86, .785 OPS) with 15 runs, 17 walks and just nine strikeouts in 24 games.