CHICAGO -- Javier Baez had a historic night on Monday.
Baez, the Cubs' No. 1 Draft pick in 2011 and No. 1 prospect, hit four home runs and drove in seven runs in Class A Daytona's 9-6 victory over Fort Myers, and is the second player in the 94-year history of the Florida State League to hit four homers in a game.
Baez belted a two-run homer with one out in the first off Matt Tomshaw, a leadoff shot in the third off Tomshaw, a three-run blast in the fifth off Adrian Salcedo, and a solo shot with two outs in the seventh off Jose Gonzalez. He now has 13 home runs for the season and 44 RBIs.
"It's a pretty special night for anybody at any level to hit four home runs," said Cubs manager Dale Sveum, who heard about Baez's exploits after Monday's loss to the Reds. "That's what we're hoping for when he gets developed and ready to go here is those kind of days and that kind of power that changes games around with one swing of the bat."
The only other player to hit four home runs in a Florida State League game was another Cubs prospect, Ryan Harvey, who did so July 28, 2006, also for Daytona.
The last Cubs Minor Leaguer to belt four homers in a game was Micah Hoffpauir, who hit four solo shots Aug. 9, 2008, for Triple-A Iowa.
Baez is well ahead of last year's pace when he hit 16 home runs -- 12 with Class A Peoria and four more with Daytona.