Joshua Báez swipes two bases off the bench

The prototypical hot-and-cold slugging prospect, Báez has gone 0-for-17 with seven strikeouts across four games since blasting three homers in his big-league debut last weekend. The 23-year-old top prospect isn’t exactly an all-or-nothing free-swinger, but he’s going to strike out at least a quarter of the time as he acclimates to everyday life in the majors. The central question for fantasy managers is whether he can do enough damage when he’s on a hot streak to justify riding out the cold spells. He’s one of the more intriguing long-term fantasy prospects in the game, but there might be some initial turbulence as he faces big-league arms for the first time.

Wetherholt is back at shortstop and leading off after sitting out the front-end of Monday’s twin bill at Great American Ball Park. The 23-year-old rookie sensation has struggled since last month’s All-Star break, hitting just .185 (20-for-108) with three homers and four steals in 29 games during that span. His return pushes electrifying top prospect Joshua Báez back to the fifth spot in the order for the nightcap affair.

Báez, who hit fifth in his first two major league games, figures to return to the middle of the order for the nightcap.

After arguably the best debut for any MLB hitter in the history of the sport, Báez was given an unfriendly reminder of how difficult it can be. It would have been fun to see him follow up his historic three-homer game with a similar effort, but it wouldn’t have been very realistic. Expect to see some similar games for Báez over these final few weeks, but with some efforts similar to that first contest as well.

Báez, hitting fifth in his major league debut, took the first pitch he saw deep to center field for a solo homer off Matthew Boyd. Leading off the top of the fourth, he terrorized Boyd once again with a homer to left field. Things got ridiculous in the sixth, as he sent one over the right-field wall for his third home run of the game, making him the first player to ever homer three times in their debut. Already three home runs in, he recorded his first career out in the eighth. With big-time power and speed potential, Báez has wasted no time in proving why he can be a significant difference-maker in fantasy the rest of the way.

Báez will be making his MLB debut against the Cubs after hitting 34 homers and slashing .256/.328/.573 in Triple-A. He’ll hit fifth and play left field. The 23-year-old has immense power, but he does have the potential for contact issues as seen in 136 strikeouts over 103 games. That being said, he also has stolen 21 bases — after stealing 54 in 2025 — so there’s tremendous reward that comes with the inherited risks in Báez’s profile.

The 23-year-old slugger has put on an epic power display at the Triple-A level this season, slashing .256/.328/.573 with 34 homers, 90 RBI and 21 stolen bases in 461 plate appearances. He has also whiffed 136 times, which fantasy managers would gladly accept with that type of power and speed production. He should get an everyday role in the Cardinals’ outfield for the rest of the season which instantly makes him an intriguing mixed league addition. He’ll be in the starting lineup to make his MLB debut against the Cubs at Wrigley Field on Saturday.

It seems inconceivable that Báez will spend the remainder of the season on the doorstep of the big leagues. The power-hitting 23-year-old has some work left to be done from a swing decision and approach standpoint to scale back on the strikeouts. However, it’s undeniable that his immense raw power would be useful for the Cardinals down the home stretch. They’re currently rolling with unheralded Bryan Torres, who holds a pedestrian .692 OPS, as their primary left fielder after moving Lars Nootbaar at the trade deadline earlier this week. The Cardinals would be able to promote Báez towards the end of next week and still retaining his rookie eligibility for next season. He’s the type of streaky slugger that could hit the ground running and make an immediate impact for fantasy managers, which makes him worthy of a speculative roster spot in all formats.

With Lars Nootbaar being traded to the Diamondbacks, the Cardinals will call up
Prieto, who is hitting .307/.373/.517 in 71 games at Triple-A with 12 home runs and six steals. Bryan Torres will likely play a lot of left field until August 14th, when the team can call up Joshua Baez without exhausting his rookie eligibility.

The 23-year-old now has 31 home runs and 77 RBI on the season. Yes, he’s hitting .244, and there is some swing-and-miss that will likely always be a part of his game, but he still has an .883 OPS on the year and has perhaps the best power/speed combination in the upper minors. It would make sense for the Cardinals to find a spot in the lineup for him, but it may not happen until after August 14, when they can retain his rookie eligibility for 2027.