Joshua

Báez

Báez possesses stratospheric raw power potential, and while he’s made some strides recently in the contact department, he’s still struck out nearly 27 percent of the time since the start of June. He’s launched 10 homers during that 20-game sample size, which matters exponentially more. However, the persistent strikeout issues are probably the biggest reason why the Cardinals are having him continue his development on the doorstep of the majors as opposed to bringing him up and exposing him to big-league arms. His time is coming later this summer, and he projects as an immediate power/speed combo source, which makes Báez a worthwhile stash candidate in all fantasy leagues.

Báez now has 25 home runs and 64 RBI in 67 games this year. In June, he’s hitting .348/.377/.826 with nine home runs and 25 RBI. Yes, he has a 19/3 K/BB ratio in that span, but strikeouts are always going to be a part of his game. At this point, we’re not entirely sure what St. Louis needs to see from him in order to give him a shot.

Báez, who put together an unreal four-homer performance earlier this week, is arguably the most intriguing power/speed combo fantasy prospect on the doorstep of the majors, which makes him worthy of a speculative roster spot in all fantasy formats. The 22-year-old leads the entire International League with 24 round-trippers through 64 games. He’s also chipped in 12 stolen bases during that span. There are some lingering concerns in the contact department since he’s struck out nearly 31 percent of the time at the Triple-A level this season. Still, he offers enough fantasy-relevant skills that fantasy managers should be willing to overlook the contact issues. He figures to get his opportunity with the Cardinals at some point soon.

Báez put together an unbelievable fireworks display on the doorstep of the majors and leads the entire International League with 23 round-trippers through 62 games. He’s also chipped in 12 stolen bases, just for good measure. The 22-year-old top prospect has some serious contact concerns that threaten to cap his realistic power ceiling once he reaches the highest level, but there’s no denying his potential as an impactful power/speed combo fantasy contributor right away. He’s at least worthy of a speculative roster spot in fantasy formats on the chance that the Cardinals give him an opportunity in the near future.

The 22-year-old is now up to 18 home runs, 48 RBI, and a .937 OPS in 230 Triple-A at-bats this season. Lars Nootbaar’s return has clogged the Cardinals’ outfield a little, but Báez is certainly pushing for his opportunity.

It was a bit of a slow start to the season for Báez, but the 22-year-old hit .274/.347/.632 in 106 at-bats in May with 10 home runs, 24 RBI, and a 34/9 K/BB ratio. He’s now continued that pace with a four-hit game to begin June. Obviously, the strikeouts are a bit of a concern and will continue to be at the MLB level as well, but he has elite power and has also stolen 11 bases already this year. Even with a low batting average, he has the raw tools to provide fantasy managers with a huge boost in the second half of the season.

Báez has been hotter than the surface of the sun, blasting five round-trippers over his last three games, including a pair of multi-homer performances. The 22-year-old top prospect has gone deep 10 times since the start of May and is hitting .293 (27-for-92) with just 29 strikeouts during that 22-game span. He’s going to strike out quite a bit while acclimating to everyday life in the majors, but his power/speed combination will make him an impactful fantasy contributor right away. It feels like only a matter of time before the Cardinals decide that he’s ready for his first opportunity in the majors, which makes Báez a viable stash in deeper mixed leagues.

Báez has homered in four of the last six games and is up to 11 on the season to go along with 27 RBI and seven steals. That’s the good news. The bad news is that he has a 34.5 percent strikeout rate on the season and has a 21/2 K/BB ratio in May. The power is tantalizing, and the speed is a nice boost, but will he make enough contact? For comparison’s sake, Báez has a nearly 65 percent contact rate, which is about five percent higher than Spencer Jones. Still, an 18.1 percent swinging strike rate is a bit concerning.

It’s fair to wonder how much longer the Cardinals will continue sticking with Scott, despite his defensive abilities, since he’s hitting .197/.254/.213 with three steals in 24 games this season. They have top prospect Joshua Báez, who has homered five times in 21 games at Triple-A Memphis this season, waiting on the doorstep of the majors if they decide to make a change in the near future. Báez is striking out nearly 30 percent of the time and could use some additional seasoning, but Scott’s lack of production figures to shorten his timeline to the big leagues.

Báez now has four home runs, three steals, and 12 RBI in 19 games at Triple-A, so the fantasy upside is clear. However, he’s also slashing .225/.329/.451 with a 24/7 K/BB ratio in 71 at-bats. The raw tools are tantalizing, but the contact will need to improve before the Cardinals decide to call the 22-year-old up to the big leagues.