Over his first four years in the Cubs’ system, Jake Fox steadily climbed the ladder while continuing to learn the nuances of life behind the plate.

A third-round pick out of Michigan in 2003, Fox’s career path took a turn during instructional league last fall, when the Cubs started trying to implement some defensive versatility with the 24-year-old catcher.

Fox played left field throughout instructs in anticipation for spring training, but now there’s even more on his plate. These days, Fox brings four gloves with him wherever he goes.

“He’s played some first base and we’re starting working some ground balls to him at third base as well now,” Double-A Tennessee manager Pat Listach said. “He’s definitely increased his versatility by working his tail off.

“He’s a good left fielder right now and with his background as a catcher . . . it just makes him an extremely valuable commodity. He still needs work on his reactions (on both corner infield spots), but he’s been a joy to watch. He works very hard every day and that’s really all you can ask for from a guy who’s learning so much on the fly.”

What makes Fox even more of a joy to watch lately is that for all his extra defensive effort, there certainly hasn’t been a drop-off at the plate. Over his last two games, Fox put together seven straight hits—a short stretch that also included three home runs. He’s 11-for-16 (.687) with four homers in his last four games and hitting .353/.370/.612 in 139 at-bats overall.

His Achilles’ Heel has been drawing walks—Fox has just two free passes compared to 28 strikeouts this season. But as long as he’s making contact like he’s been, the Cubs will likely live with it.

“He’s hitting every pitch right now,” Listach said. “There’s no question he’s on a tear—he’s as hot as I’ve seen. He’s one of those guys that’s making my job a heck of a lot easier.

“He’s compact with a line-drive approach and he uses the whole field, he doesn’t walk a lot, but that’s because he’s been so aggressive and his pitch recognition has been very good. When he gets his pitch, he hasn’t been missing it often.”