Joshua Báez, the No. 3 prospect in the St. Louis Cardinals system and MLB’s No. 65 overall prospect, hit four home runs for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds in a 12-5 win over the Nashville Sounds on June 16 at AutoZone Park. The performance came on the third anniversary of his father, Jose Manuel Báez’s, death. The 22-year-old finished 4-for-5 with seven RBIs, 1,510 total home run feet, and became the first player in Redbirds history and the 14th Minor Leaguer since 2005 to record four homers in a game.
Why did Joshua Báez hit four home runs on such an emotional anniversary?
Joshua Báez’s numbers only tell part of the story. The 22-year-old revealed after the game that June 16 marked the third anniversary of his father Jose Manuel Báez’s death. His father, a longtime baseball and softball player, helped shape his son’s understanding of the game long before professional baseball entered the picture.
“I was just feeling him the whole time,” Báez said afterward. “I think that he guided me today to be able to do that.”
Stats from the game
- Home Runs: 4
- RBIs: 7
- Batting Line: 4-for-5
- Total Home Run Distance: 1,510 feet
The performance began with a three-run homer in the first inning off Nashville starter Brett Wichrowski. Báez followed it with a 408-foot blast to center field in his next plate appearance. He added a solo shot in the fifth inning and capped the night with a towering eighth-inning homer that Memphis broadcaster Alex Coil described as a ball hit “to the stars.” Each time Báez rounded second base, he pointed toward the sky, acknowledging the person he believed was sharing the moment with him.
Joshua Báez, Jose Manuel Báez and a historic night for Memphis
The emotional backdrop only extended the historical significance. Báez became the first player in Memphis Redbirds history to hit four home runs in a single game. According to MLB records, he is only the 14th Minor Leaguer since 2005 to accomplish the feat. His mother, Yris Báez, felt the significance immediately.
“It’s very emotional,” she said through her son’s translation. “I knew he was here with him from the sky down. He was able to give him the strength.”
The outfielder's breakout season continues to gain momentum. Báez has already surpassed last year's career-high total of 20 home runs, reaching 23 through 62 games while posting a .282/.345/.631 slash line. His combination of power and improved production has strengthened his case for a future major league opportunity. For now, Báez is focused on Memphis. The Redbirds are chasing a postseason spot, and he made clear that his attention remains on helping the club win. One unforgettable night may have accelerated discussions about his future, but the next challenge begins with the next game and, of course, the same pursuit that brought him here. He is eying to reach the major leagues.
