The St. Louis Cardinals are turning to one of their most intriguing young players as they prepare for a big weekend matchup with the Chicago Cubs.
St. Louis is promoting outfield prospect Joshua Báez, and manager Oli Marmol told reporters that the 23-year-old will be in the lineup Saturday. Báez is already on the Cardinals’ 40-man roster, meaning the team only needs to make a corresponding active-roster move.
Báez Finally Gets His Opportunity
The biggest concern has always been his strikeout rate. Marmol is going to get him into the lineup on Saturday anyway, though.
The Cardinals selected Báez in the second round of the 2021 draft, and the organization has watched his power develop throughout his minor league career.
From 2021 through 2024, Báez accumulated 896 plate appearances across multiple minor league levels. During that stretch, he struck out in 34.4% of his plate appearances while hitting 24 home runs.
However, Báez took a major step forward last season.
Splitting time between High-A and Double-A, he hit 20 home runs in 499 plate appearances while dramatically cutting his strikeout rate to 20.6%.
That performance convinced St. Louis to add him to the 40-man roster in November, protecting him from the Rule 5 draft.
Power Has Taken Another Leap
Báez has taken his power production to another level in 2026.
In 461 plate appearances, he has already crushed 34 home runs, showing the kind of power that has made him one of the more intriguing prospects in the Cardinals organization.
The downside is that the strikeouts have climbed again.
Báez has struck out at a 29.5% rate this season, so St. Louis will be hoping his impressive power can outweigh the swings and misses.
The Cardinals appear ready to find out what their young slugger can do against major league pitching.
As for the corresponding roster move, César Prieto’s locker was reportedly being cleared following Friday’s game, making it likely that he will be optioned.
Now, Báez gets his chance.
And with 34 home runs in 461 plate appearances, there is certainly plenty of reason for Cardinals fans to be excited about what he might bring to the lineup against the Cubs.
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