The St. Louis Cardinals have called up rookie outfielder Joshua Báez from Triple-A Memphis and sent infielder César Prieto back to Memphis. Báez, age 23, will make his Major League debut and becomes the ninth rookie to debut for the team this year. In 103 games with Memphis, Báez hit .256 with 34 home runs, 90 RBIs, 21 stolen bases, and a .901 OPS. His 34 home runs lead all Triple-A players. Last year, he joined a select group with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases across two minor league levels, and this season became the first Memphis Redbird with at least 20 homers and 20 steals.
Báez was drafted in the second round in 2021 out of Dexter-Southfield in Brookline, Massachusetts. Born in Boston and raised in the Dominican Republic before returning to the U.S. at age 11, he brings power and speed to the Cardinals roster. Báez has played all three outfield spots this year, has six outfield assists, and is ranked the Cardinals’ number two prospect by Baseball America. He wears uniform number 22 and is the first Cardinals position player to make his debut at Wrigley Field since Tommy Edman in 2019.
