The St. Louis Cardinals have made their decision on rookie sensation Joshua Báez ahead of Sunday’s series finale against the Chicago Cubs, and fans have every reason to be excited.
Following one of the most extraordinary Major League debuts in recent memory, Báez is back in the Cardinals’ starting lineup and is batting fifth against Chicago. The decision comes less than 24 hours after the 23-year-old outfielder stunned the baseball world at Wrigley Field.
Báez made history Saturday by becoming the first player in MLB history to hit three home runs in his first three Major League at-bats. His remarkable performance powered St. Louis to an 8-4 victory over the Cubs while producing five RBIs.
The rookie wasted no time making an impact. Báez launched a home run on the first pitch he saw in the majors, then followed it with another homer in his second at-bat. In his third trip to the plate, he completed the historic three-homer feat.
Now, instead of easing him into the lineup after his unforgettable debut, St. Louis has shown confidence by keeping him in the middle of the order for the Cubs series finale.
Cardinals Refuse to Take Báez Out of the Spotlight
The decision represents a major show of confidence in a player who only recently received his first opportunity in the majors.
Báez was called up from Triple-A Memphis on Saturday after producing a breakout season that included 34 home runs and 90 RBIs in 103 games. He entered the promotion as one of the Cardinals’ top prospects and immediately demonstrated why the organization believes he could become an important part of its future.
Saturday’s performance, however, exceeded even the highest expectations.
His three home runs came against a Cubs team that was unable to contain him, while his five RBIs accounted for a significant portion of St. Louis’ offensive production. The Cardinals also received home runs from Blaze Jordan and Alec Burleson in the victory.
A New Chapter for the Cardinals
For St. Louis, keeping Báez in the lineup is about more than rewarding an incredible debut. It gives the organization an opportunity to evaluate whether the young slugger can become a legitimate everyday contributor during the stretch run.
The Cardinals entered the weekend looking for offensive energy, and Báez provided it in spectacular fashion. His arrival could potentially give the lineup another dangerous power bat at a critical point in the season.
There is, of course, still a long way to go. One historic game does not guarantee sustained Major League success, particularly for a young hitter adjusting to big-league pitching. Báez’s minor-league career included periods of inconsistency and significant strikeout totals before his offensive breakthrough.
But the Cardinals clearly believe he has earned another opportunity.
Cubs Now Face the Rookie Again
The Cubs will now have to prepare for Báez after seeing him punish their pitching just one day earlier.
That makes Sunday’s matchup even more intriguing. Chicago’s pitchers will have a chance to make adjustments, while Báez will attempt to prove that Saturday’s historic performance was more than a once-in-a-lifetime moment.
For Cardinals fans, the message from the organization is clear: Joshua Báez is not being treated like a temporary call-up.
He is being given another chance to show that he belongs.
After making MLB history in his first game, all eyes will once again be on the young slugger when the Cardinals take the field against their longtime rivals.
And after what happened Saturday, nobody will be surprised if Wrigley Field is watching every single pitch thrown his way.
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