Joshua Báez made history by becoming the first player in major league baseball to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats. The 23-year-old left fielder, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, stepped into the batter’s box and immediately made a statement. His first pitch was a fastball that sailed into the Wrigley Field bleachers. He followed that with two more home runs in his next two at-bats.
Baez also drove in five runs during the game, according to fox2now.com. The St. Louis Cardinals beat the Chicago Cubs 8-4 on Saturday. Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson added solo home runs to support the victory. This marked the first time a Cardinals player had hit a home run in his first plate appearance since Lane Thomas in June 2019.
Michael Conforto hit a three-run homer for the Cubs, who had won nine of their last eleven games. Matthew Boyd, who started for the Cubs, gave up all three home runs by Baez, according to a report from The Guardian. Boyd allowed seven runs on five hits and three walks in 5 1/3 innings. He struck out two batters and was charged with a win for the first time since July 8.
Baez’s first home run came in the first inning, a two-run shot to left-center field. Conforto tied the game at three in the second inning with his own home run. Baez then homered again in the fourth, this time a full-count pitch down the left-field line. He hit another two-run homer in the sixth.
Jordan’s solo shot ended Boyd’s outing and helped seal the win for the Cardinals. Burleson added a solo home run off Colin Rea in the eighth inning.
Baez’s performance was especially impressive given his background and journey to the major leagues, Yahoo Sports reported. Born in Boston, he moved to the Dominican Republic as a child before returning to Massachusetts. He quickly became known for his power in local youth leagues. At age 12, he won a state home run derby. He played in the Boston Blue Jays organization and was known for his ability to hit long balls.
His talent earned him a $2.25 million bonus in the draft. However, his path to the majors was not smooth. It took him parts of four seasons to reach High-A ball. He had a high strikeout rate and needed to improve his contact skills.
Last year, things changed for him as he improved his performance in the minors. He posted a .884 OPS across High-A and Double-A levels. His strikeout rate dropped to 20.6 percent, showing better control.
Despite his swing being long and sometimes limiting his ability to make consistent contact, Baez’s raw power remains a major asset. His debut showed why many Cardinals fans and executives were excited about his potential. He is one of the few players who can hit a baseball with such force and distance. This power gives him room to make up for any flaws in his approach at the plate.
If he continues to develop, Baez could become one of the most dangerous hitters in the league. At minimum, he will continue to provide highlight-reel home runs like those he delivered on his debut.
IMAGE: Minda Haas Kuhlmann / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)