The ball left Joshua Báez’s bat with a thunderous crack, sailing 373 feet into the left-field stands. Another solo shot. Another reminder that the 22-year-old outfielder is currently the hottest prospect in the minors.
On Thursday night, Báez launched his 16th home run of the season for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in a 5-4 victory over the Omaha Storm Chasers. He wasn’t done there — the righty also ripped a triple, showcasing the complete offensive package Cardinals fans have been waiting to see. But the real story? This was his third straight game with a homer, including two multi-homer outbursts that pushed his total to five long balls in just three days.
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As the Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Báez entered 2026 with sky-high expectations after a breakout 2025 campaign. The 2021 second-round pick is delivering — and then some. Through 47 Triple-A games, he’s slashing .257 with 16 homers, 39 RBIs, and 11 stolen bases. Those numbers echo his impressive showing last season across two levels: .287 average, 20 home runs, 79 RBIs, and a blistering 54 steals in 117 games. The power-speed combination is exactly what this club craves.
What stands out most for baseball minds is the quality of contact. That Thursday homer registered a 103.6 mph exit velocity — elite loud contact that travels in the big leagues too. At 22, Báez is still adjusting to Triple-A pitching, yet he’s already punishing it with authority.
St. Louis sits right in the thick of a dogfight in the National League Central, where every team currently boasts a winning record. The Cardinals have already injected youth into the lineup successfully with prospects like infielder JJ Wetherholt. Adding Báez’s bat could provide the kind of dynamic spark that separates contenders from also-rans. His ability to impact games in multiple ways — extra-base thump, speed on the bases, and improving outfield defense — makes him a potential difference-maker down the stretch.
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Of course, the front office must weigh the risks. This is Báez’s first real exposure to Triple-A, and a rushed promotion could backfire. Yet when a young player starts barreling baseballs like this, generating legitimate buzz, it becomes harder to keep him down in Memphis. The Cardinals have shown willingness to accelerate top talent this season. Could Báez be next?
Right now, every Cardinals fan is watching the Memphis box scores with one question burning: How much longer until we see No. 22 (or whatever number they give him) patrolling the outfield at Busch Stadium?
The kid is forcing the issue. And in a tight division race, that kind of momentum might be impossible to ignore.