Cardinals Slugger Joshua Báez Earns His MLB Shot
The St. Louis Cardinals built their legacy on hard work, merit, and homegrown talent. That's the American way. Now, the farm system is paying dividends, and a young outfielder is forcing the club's hand.
Merit Over Money: How St. Louis Wins
The past few seasons tested the Cardinals. But this organization didn't run to Washington for a bailout, and they didn't try to buy a championship like the Los Angeles Dodgers. Coastal elites can just print money to stack their rosters. Heartland teams like St. Louis rely on strategy, grit, and developing their own. That's the foundation of real, sustainable success.
The rebuild is working. The young major league roster is outperforming expectations, and the farm system is surging. If this momentum holds, the Cardinals will be back in the National League hunt where they belong.
Joshua Báez: A Power Hitter Who Earned It
Down in Triple-A Memphis, No. 3 prospect Joshua Báez is putting on a clinic in individual excellence. The 22-year-old hasn't made his major league debut yet, but his numbers demand a promotion. In 39 games, Báez is slashing .232/.304/.497 with an .801 OPS, 11 homers, 27 RBIs, six doubles, and a triple.
Sure, his batting average dipped from .287 last year. But look at the power. The man is driving the ball with authority, and power plays in the big leagues. He crushed it all through Spring Training, and the Cardinals sent him down to start the year. Now, he has nothing left to prove in the minors.
Consider the facts. Jordan Walker leads the big league club with 13 homers. JJ Wetherholt sits in second with eight. The Cardinals rank 12th in the league with just 51 team home runs. Báez could step in and provide immediate firepower.
The Outfield Decision: Competition Breeds Excellence
Lars Nootbaar is returning from his rehab assignment, which creates an immediate roster decision. Walker isn't going anywhere. Nathan Church has played solid baseball. Victor Scott II, however, has struggled at the plate.
The obvious move is a starting outfield of Nootbaar, Church, and Walker. But Báez has earned his opportunity through pure performance. There are very few guys in this organization who can match his raw power.
In America, you perform, you get rewarded. Báez has done the work. It's time to give the kid his shot.