Who is Joshua Báez? Get to know the MLB record-setter
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Cardinals rookie Joshua Báez made Major League history in his debut on Saturday against St. Louis' arch rival Cubs, becoming the first player ever to homer in each of his first three big league plate appearances. Here's a closer look at the 23-year-old slugger:
FAST FACTS
MLB Pipeline rankings: Cardinals No. 3 | MLB No. 59
Position: OF
Height/weight: 6-foot-3, 220 lbs.
Bats/throws: R/R
Age: 23 (Born June 28, 2003)
High school: Dexter Southfield (Mass.)
Drafted: 2021, 2nd round (No. 54 overall)
Draft ranking: No. 24
MLB PIPELINE SCOUTING GRADES (20-to-80 scale)
Hit: 45
Power: 60
Run: 50
Arm: 60
Field: 50
Overall: 55
FIVE THINGS TO KNOW
1. He moved from the DR to the US when he was 11 and taught himself English
Báez was born in Boston but his family moved home to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, when he was an infant. They returned to the Dorchester neighborhood of Boston when Báez was 11, and he learned English, largely on his own, in just two years and became an honor student at a highly competitive private school.
2. He is an exceptionally hard worker – on and off the field
In addition to working hard in the classroom, Báez is famous for his work ethic in the gym and on the field. He was introduced to the Next Level baseball program in Boston when he was 13 years old and played on the 19-and-under team. Christian Ortiz, who founded Next Level and has worked with MLB Develops and Yankees area scout Matt Hyde to launch an annual Northeast Scouts Clinic in Massachusetts, said of Báez after his record-setting MLB debut: “We met him at 13 at around 160 pounds. He signed with the Cards in 2021 at around 230 pounds. He lives in the weight room.”
3. He went to a high school that produced only one other MLB Draft pick … but also JFK
Báez was taken in the second round (54th overall) of the 2021 Draft out of Dexter Southfield High School in Brookline, Mass., after being named the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year. Not exactly a baseball powerhouse, Dexter has produced just one other MLB Draft pick in its history – 2013 17th-rounder Johnny Magliozzi, a right-hander who spent six years in Mets’ farm system – but it does count President John F. Kennedy among its many notable alumni.
4. He had a 4-homer game this year on the third anniversary of his father passing away
Báez’s father, Jose Manuel, played baseball and softball until he was around 35 years old and dreamed of playing in the big leagues. He passed away on June 16, 2023. Three years to the date later, Báez became just the 14th Minor Leaguer in the past 20 years to hit four homers in a game. More »
Prior to his big league debut on Saturday, Báez said, “My dad, his dream was to play in the big leagues, and he never got to sign or anything, and the only promise I made to him was that I was going to be able to do that for him, and he’s not here with us here, but he’s here in spirit, and I know he’s so proud of me.”
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5. He has ridiculous physical tools
- Power: At age 17, Báez hit a ball over the Dunkin’ Donuts coffee cup atop the scoreboard at Dunkin Donuts Park in Hartford, something that the owners of the ballpark said had never been done. His raw power was considered among the very best in the 2021 Draft class, and only six Minor Leaguers have a power grade rated higher than his (60). His 37 homers across all levels this year (34 at Triple-A and three in the Majors) are tied for the most in baseball (Kyle Schwarber has 37 for the Phillies). He also registered the third-longest homer measured by Statcast in the Minors this year – a 473-foot grand slam.
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Arm: Báez was a two-way player in high school and generated fastballs up to 98 mph off the mound. His arm was considered among the best in his Draft class and only five Minor Leaguer outfielders have a throwing grade rated higher than his (60).
Speed: While he may only have a 50 run grade, Báez has stolen 149 bases in 452 career Minor League games and in 2025 became just the 17th player in nearly 75 years (since 1958) to go 20-50 in the Minors.