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Posted on 08/15/2026 2:08:49 PM PDT by DFG
CHICAGO -- Joshua Báez always believed this day would come. And he has absolutely made the most of it. The Cardinals' young slugger is now the first player in history to homer three times in his MLB debut.
On the first Major League pitch Báez saw, Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd challenged him with a 93.4 mph fastball up in the zone. Báez jumped on it, launching a two-run homer a Statcast-projected 449 feet to dead center field. The ball left his bat at 108.6 mph and gave the Cardinals a 3-0 lead.
Then, to make the day even more memorable, he also went yard in his second at-bat, hitting a solo shot to left field. After working a full count, Báez got a changeup low in the zone and ripped it 382 feet down the line, giving St. Louis a 4-3 lead and becoming just the ninth player in MLB history to homer twice in a regular-season debut.
He also became the second player since 1900 to homer in his first two career at-bats in one game, joining Bob Nieman on Sept. 14, 1951.
And in the sixth inning, he did something nobody's ever done before, ripping a 368-foot line drive to left field off Boyd that had an exit velocity of 99.8 mph off the bat.
Báez is also the second player to hit each of his first three home runs in the same game, joining Seby Zavala on July 31, 2021, in his 18th career game.
With the first HR, Báez became the first Cardinals position player to homer on his first pitch since Chris Richard on July 17, 2000. The last time a debuting player sent the first pitch out was Zach Cole for the Astros on Sept. 12, 2025.
The historic day culminated a half-decade-long journey. At 18 years old, shortly after the Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Báez visited Busch Stadium and confidently predicted he would reach the Majors within two years.
It took a little longer than that.
Five years, plenty of adjustments and more than a few difficult stretches later, Báez walked into the visitors’ clubhouse at Wrigley Field on Saturday morning preparing to make his Major League debut.
The Cardinals’ No. 3 prospect per MLB Pipeline batted fifth and played left field against the Cubs, less than 24 hours after learning in Durham, N.C., that his next flight would not be taking him back to Triple-A Memphis.
Báez had just changed into his workout clothes Friday when Memphis manager Ben Johnson delivered the news. His teammates quickly piled on him in celebration.
“It was kind of like a shocking moment, just because you don’t know when it’s gonna happen,” Báez said. “To be able to do it there with the boys, it was great.”
Then came the phone calls.
Báez immediately connected with his mother, siblings, coaches and girlfriend. Approximately 30 family members were expected at Wrigley on Saturday, traveling from Boston, Orlando, Miami and the Dominican Republic.
There is one person Báez wishes could be among them.
His father, José Manuel, died three years ago. Earlier this season, Báez honored him in unforgettable fashion by hitting four home runs on the third anniversary of his death.
Now, on the biggest day of his baseball life, Báez is carrying him with him again.
“My dad, his dream was to play in the big leagues,” Báez said. “The only promise that I made to him was that I was going to be able to do that for him.
“He’s not here with us, but he’s here in spirit, and I know he’s so proud of me.”
That journey has helped shape the player the Cardinals believe is ready for this moment.
Báez hit .256 with 34 home runs, 90 RBIs, 21 stolen bases and a .901 OPS in 103 games at Triple-A this season. His home run total leads Triple-A and is tied for second most in the Minors.
But when manager Oliver Marmol talks about Báez, the production is almost secondary.
“The performance speaks for itself,” Marmol said. “But there are the things I’m more curious about -- how consistent are they, as far as how they come in, how they prepare, how they handle failure, how they handle success. And those are by far the most consistent and highly talked-about things when it comes to Báez.”
Marmol has watched plenty of young players arrive in the Majors over the past several seasons. Báez, he said, carries a little more intrigue because his road here was hardly linear.
There were struggles. Adjustments. Success followed by more struggles. Marmol views that as a strength.
“I like that path way more than the checkboxes to get here,” Marmol said. “They get to experience a little bit of what it’s going to be like up here. That is the big leagues. You’re going to go through some real downs, and he has something to point back to as far as being able to get through it.”
Báez expects another adjustment period now.
The jump from Double-A to Triple-A challenged him, but he eventually found his footing. He knows Major League pitching will present another, much steeper test.
His approach Saturday is considerably simpler than it was when he was the 18-year-old confidently predicting his arrival.
“Just play baseball,” Báez said. “Not trying to get too much into it, just really trying to learn and go day to day.”
That might be easier said than done.
Báez admitted he barely slept Friday night. He expects the nerves to arrive once the game begins. There will be 30 family members somewhere inside Wrigley Field, a Cardinals-Cubs crowd surrounding him and a Major League pitcher staring back from 60 feet, 6 inches away.
Marmol understands the magnitude of all of it.
“All this stuff is happening in 24 hours,” Marmol said. “And now he’s got to go face [Matthew] Boyd today and put the ball in play.
“Take a moment to enjoy it, too. Just be yourself.”
For Báez, that will be enough.
The 18-year-old who thought he would be here in two years is now 23, a little more seasoned and a lot more appreciative of everything required to arrive.
“It’s a roller coaster,” Báez said. “You have to go through so many things on and off the field. … I was just an 18-year-old, and I had no idea.
“But I’m 23 now, and I’m glad to be here.”
And the Cardinals are glad to have his big-time bat in the lineup.
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The Cubs lefty pitcher Matthew Boyd is 8-1 with a 3.50 era.
“Well ... keep doing that.”
That was cool to see. And this is from a Cubs fan. Rare to be excited for any opponent, much less the Cards. Was cool to see a ‘first’ in baseball history.
Grandson of Joan?
I hit three home runs.
George Costanza: Yeah, in four at bats.
LOLZ! Please Don't insult the talented man!
The second and third home runs might have been fly outs in any other park (besides Denver).
That is what they call HAT Trick LOL
382’ and 368’… Other than dead center field, what parks would they be fly balls in.
Other than dead center field, what parks would they be fly balls in.
Yellowstone?
The first one was smoked.
Ok… you got me on that one. ;~))
Congratulations to Joshua Baez!
Basically, a well coached, talented player faced pitchers who probably just saw a rookie coming to the plate. He was ready, the pitchers weren't. That is how history is made. I would think that teams are setting up a book on Baez.
New!
He’ll be dusting off the seat of pants tomorrow
That’s like hitting a billion dollar lotto.
The kid got 3 no doubters.
Look out Barry Bonds!!!
“History at Wrigley! Báez the first ever to homer THREE TIMES in MLB debut”. Beisball been berry berry good to me. Chico
“Aside from Baez’ talent (which he obviously has), each major league team has a detailed book on each hitter - how to pitch to him in order to have the best chance of getting him out.”
Major league teams send scouts and use media to look at talent in the minors, but they do this primarily for talent evaluation, trades, and future projection rather than immediate in-game advance scouting to get them out. They are really looking at success for promotion.
He had arrived the night before and the Cubs wouldn’t have a pitch evaluation on him handy. Many times they use information from their own players that have competed agaisnt the new player.
The books like you mentioned aren’t really good as the new player is now facing pitches he has never seen at this level and the curve ball he saw in the minors is not near like the ones in the show. But you can be sure they are evaluating his game and creating a book on him at this level. There have been many players that started out hot and faded because the way to pitch to them was yet to be determined. I can remember one player years ago that started out terrible going 0 for 12 until he got his first hit. Wille Mays. So it can go both ways.
wy69
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