After watching the highs and lows of Javier Baez the last three seasons, the Cubs still don't know the ceiling of their infielder's offensive talents.

Manager Joe Maddon says it may take a couple more seasons before they do, but he believes it's “very high.”

“You're still going to see him go through some of those up-and-down moments,” Maddon said.

Baez was up entering Wednesday after raising his batting average 66 points with six hits in two games.

“The difference with him is even with the down moments offensively, he's going to help you with his defense and his baserunning,” Maddon said.

“So I fully anticipate seeing those offensive swings in a sense, up and down. But the reward is going to be great when he figures it out, the reward is going to be outstanding to watch.”

Baez, 24, started all 17 playoff games in 2016 at second base but has been reduced to spot duty in the first month so far this season. He believes he has advanced to the point where he doesn't have to earn his at-bats.

“Everyone knows how good I am, and I don't have to show anybody anything,” Baez said. “I can control the things I can control.”

Baez took a major step, in Maddon's eyes, when he collected three of his four hits Tuesday up the middle or to the right side.

Baez has been a notorious slow starter dating back to 2013 at Double-A Tennessee. This season he believes he made a key adjustment by lowering his leg kick to help his timing with two strikes.

His biggest issue, however, is learning not to swing hard on every pitch.

“I always swing hard,” Baez said. “Sometimes when I'm under control, it looks simple. But I always swing hard.”

Rotation intact: Maddon said the rotation will stay intact. He discussed options with team executives after Monday's game.

Cubs starters have pitched more than six innings only twice in their first 26 games, and they're scheduled to play a stretch of 16 games without a day off to end the month of May.