Detroit Tigers observations: Is right-handed Javier Báez trying to become a switch-hitter?

LAKELAND, Fla. — Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Báez, a right-handed hitter with more than 1,000 hits in his career, took batting practice on the backfields during Wednesday's practice, the third full-squad workout in spring training.

He was warming up for a live batting practice session, and in his final round of regular batting practice, he walked to the left side of the plate and swung as a left-handed hitter.

No, Báez isn't trying to become a switch-hitter.

But there's a reason for his left-handed swings.

"It is for fun, but I also use it to stretch my back," Báez said. "I do that to level my back and adjust it. The way I take so many swings right-handed, I take a couple left-handed and my hips feel better."

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Báez, 31, never swung and missed from the left side on Wednesday. He made contact with the ball on all of his left-handed swings.

Jeff Branson, a hitting coordinator who was throwing batting practice, was perplexed.

"It's that easy, huh?" Branson said.

Báez just smiled.

He said he takes left-handed swings every day, usually in the batting cage. He has three plate appearances from the left side in his MLB career, going 1-for-3 with a double.

As for the right-handed swing, Báez hit an up-and-away fastball off the fence in right-center field against right-hander Kenta Maeda in live batting practice. He also took a couple of pitches and whiffed at a couple of pitches.

The opposite-field line drive was impressive.

"Lucky," Báez said.

At least Maeda was impressed.

"I'm not surprised," Maeda said. "I mean, Javy is a great hitter, and whenever I face him, I really have to be careful about my pitches. I'm not surprised that he hit that one. If it's in a real game, I wouldn't throw fastballs there."

So was catcher Jake Rogers.

"It was a good piece of hitting," Rogers said.

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Báez didn't get a hit off left-hander Tarik Skubal in Tuesday's session.

He is focused on the timing of his swing.

"I'm trying to stay behind the ball when I do the leg kick and not jump too much forward to the ball," Báez said. "I still have to move forward, so I'm just trying to swing with my back leg. I'm trying to stay on the fastball pretty much the whole time."

'We're in the World Series'

Third base coach Joey Cora, also the primary infield coach, put the Tigers through infield drills on the backfields. Spencer Torkelson was at first base; Colt Keith and Andy Ibáñez were at second base; Báez was at shortstop; Matt Vierling and Zach McKinstry were at third base.

The infielders worked on everything, including basic grounders, double plays and barehanded grabs.

The Tigers had the infield in when Keith received praise from Vierling. Keith, still learning the nuances of second base, fielded a ball on the grass and threw a dart to the coach at home plate. It's a play designed to simulate throwing out a runner trying to score from third base.

"Yeah, Colter!" Vierling said.

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Cora motivated his players toward the end of infield drills, wanting them to finish strong. "We're in the World Series right here," Cora said to his players. There will be no excuses for a lack of preparedness from the infielders in the upcoming season, not under Cora's watch.

Báez, a former Gold Glove winner at shortstop, was critical of his performance.

"I missed a lot of ground balls," Báez said, "so it wasn't a good day for me, but that's what we're here for, to work. I was a little too fast in my hands and I made that adjustment."

Play(s) of the Day

There were so many good plays in Wednesday's practice.

No. 1: Torkelson was playing left field while shagging fly balls during batting practice. He overran a ball hit off the bat, wrapped his glove around his body and caught the ball behind his back. It was a circus catch. His hat fell off in the process. Only one or two people saw the catch.

"I was going for that," Torkelson said. "That was not by accident."

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No. 2: Parker Meadows hit a line drive down the first base line. But Brayan Peña, the Tigers' catching coordinator, was playing first base. In fact, he was the only defender on the field during the live batting practice. Peña ranged far to his left and snagged the ball, which had a dozen players and coaches screaming in admiration.

No. 3: During infield drills, Keith sprinted toward the middle of the field, picked a ground ball behind second base and quickly flipped the ball to Báez at shortstop. Báez, known for beautiful footwork, touched second base and threw the ball to Torkelson at first base, completing the double play. Báez has a new double play partner in Keith.

"I'm still learning the way he plays," Báez said. "But I think we got really good communication right now, and we're having fun doing the infield stuff."

Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)

Several players were in the showers after Wednesday's practice.

Suddenly, voices boomed through the clubhouse.

Incredibly loud voices.

'Cause I saddle up my horseAnd I ride into the cityI make a lot of noise'Cause the girls they are so pretty

The Tigers had broken into a song — somewhere between a chant and a scream — their a cappella version of Big & Rich's "Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)," and they kept singing for what seemed like at least a minute.

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"Those crazy guys," Báez said, smirking. One of the few players left in the clubhouse, Báez started walking toward the showers, even though he was still dressed. "I gotta get in there," he said.

A national reporter quipped, "You know it's a young team when ..."

Moments later, Torkelson appeared from the kitchen, smoothie in hand.

"Who was singing 'Save a Horse (Ride a Cowboy)?'" he asked.

"Who wasn't?" a teammate answered.

'Good start' for Kerry Carpenter

After Wednesday's practice, Kerry Carpenter sat at his locker, looking pleased and content.

"Yesterday was a good start," he said, talking about his home run off right-hander Keider Montero that cleared the 340-foot fence. "Today I was just a little late. But I feel like I'm seeing the ball. It's exciting."

Happy Birthday, Tram!

Hall of Fame shortstop Alan Trammell turned 66 on Wednesday. Of course, he celebrated by working on the TigerTown backfields.

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him @EvanPetzold. Contact Jeff Seidel: jseidel@freepress.com. Follow him @seideljeff.

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This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers observations: Why Javier Báez is hitting left-handed