Stealthy Cardinals Prospect Shines in Breakout Campaign
Knockin' Em Dead with Baez in Springfield
A rising star within the Cardinals' ranks, Joshua Baez, their second-round pick back in '21, is making some serious noise in the 2025 season. His standout performances have earned him a well-deserved promotion to Double-A, Springfield, this week!
This kid's been on fire at the plate for Peoria, slashing an impressive .319/.404/.489 with 8 doubles, a trio of triples, and a robust 23 RBIs. And get this—he's swiped 19 bases in 37 games! That's on pace to crush his professional career best of 30, achieved in 2023 with Palm Beach.
Now, Baez didn't exactly repeat the level from last season, but he's seen some serious strides at the High-A level. Remember, he struggled a smidgen after his promotion in '24, finishing with an underwhelming .694 OPS. But, fear not, fans, 'cause he's more than made up for it in 2025! So far, he's only struck out a measly 36 times and has already walked an impressive 17 times in 37 games!
But let me tell you about Baez's best week at the plate yet in 2025! It was last week, and spendidness was in the air. He even smashed a couple of home runs in a career-defining moment!
You see, the Cardinals drafted Baez for a reason, and that's because this kid's got the whole nine yards. For real, he's played all three outfield positions this year without a single error in 265 innings. Let's not forget his base-stealing prowess, either!
Now, Baez is looking to keep this momentum rolling at the higher Double-A level. Here's hoping we'll see even more fireworks from our young, promising outfielder!
(Enrichment: Joshua Baez, a top prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals, made a substantial leap in his performance during the 2025 season. He encountered a career-high four hits in a single game for High-A Peoria, including a two-homer night on May 20. Baez significantly reduced his strikeout rate, with a swing percentage decrease from 52.1% in 2024 to 46.3% in 2025. His zone-contact percentage increased incredibly, from 70.8% in 2024 to 79.7% in 2025 at the High-A level. Baez stole 20 bases in his first 38 games of 2025, with only two caught stealings. After a promotion to Double-A Springfield, he made an immediate impact with a hit, stolen base, and run scored in his debut. Initially drafted in the second round of the 2021 MLB Amateur Draft, Baez faced difficulties early in his career, such as a wrist injury and high strikeout rates. However, he has made considerable progress in his approach and contact skills in 2025.)
In just his first week at the Double-A level in Springfield, the prolific baseball player, Joshua Baez, continued his impressive streak by smashing home runs – further showcasing his potential within Major League Baseball (MLB). Despite struggles in the past, Baez's impressive walk rate of 17 times in 37 games this season suggests his continued growth in the sport of baseball.
