Baez leads the next wave: Karabell/ESPN

[imetsatchelpaige]

Fantasy baseball prospect stock watch: Joshua Baez could lead the next wave

The St. Louis Cardinals began this week in an NL wild-card spot and one of the most surprising teams in baseball, with rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt among the first-year players making an impact. Perhaps there will be more young Cardinals on the way as well, led by OF Joshua Baez, who some view as being off to a disappointing start at Triple-A Memphis with a 34.5% strikeout rate and .232/.304/.497 line. However, we cannot ignore 11 home runs and seven stolen bases in 39 games either.

Baez, 23, emerged after hitting .287/.384/.500 across two minor league levels last season, with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases, making notably important strides in plate discipline with a 75% contact rate. He struggled initially at Double-A Springfield, then hit .308/.413/.615 in September. Expect Baez to improve his Triple-A numbers soon, notably his walk and strikeout rates. We know he can be more selective, and fantasy managers love to bet on power/speed options.

The rebuilding Cardinals certainly have room in their lineup for upgrades, with Baez as the prime candidate to watch. While OF Jordan Walker (finally) breaks out in right field, Victor Scott II and Nathan Church aren't exactly starring in the other spots, and even when OF Lars Nootbaar (heels) plays, he won't be blocking Baez. Walker is the lone Cardinal with double-digit home runs, and he leads the team with seven steals. Baez, who hammered a 438-foot home run against Jacksonville on Sunday, would fit in nicely.

The other top Cardinals hitting prospect (other than Wetherholt, of course) is C Rainel Rodriguez, who recently earned a promotion to Double-A. Rodriguez, 19, hit .311/.430/.519 at High-A Peoria. He's young and unlikely to debut in 2026, but managers in dynasty formats must secure him soon if he is available. If the Cardinals do not stick with offensively challenged C Pedro Pages, 24-year-old non-prospect Jimmy Crooks (slugging .624 with 13 home runs at Memphis) may get a chance.

Eric Karabell
May 19, 2026

[Futuregm2]

Crooks with an afterthought mention in the last sentence

[zoiks]

This is deep league fantasy baseball garbage, not actual reality baseball. Why should we expect Baez to raise his walk and strikeout numbers? He’s had 1 minor league season where those stats weren’t abysmal. It’s more likely that his K% outside of last season is who he is as a hitter. I’ll believe in him as a prospect if he ever manages to repeat last year’s stats in the minor leagues.

At this point, Baez and Crooks strike out way too much to project as impactful every day major leaguers.

[Talkin' Baseball]

This is deep league fantasy baseball garbage, not actual reality baseball. Why should we expect Baez to raise his walk and strikeout numbers? He’s had 1 minor league season where those stats weren’t abysmal. It’s more likely that his K% outside of last season is who he is as a hitter. I’ll believe in him as a prospect if he ever manages to repeat last year’s stats in the minor leagues.

At this point, Baez and Crooks strike out way too much to project as impactful every day major leaguers.

Both have made some reductions in their K rate. Crooks was nearly 40% at the beginning of the month. As of Monday, he was at 30.6. He must be in the low 20's for the month of May.

[Futuregm2]

Baez OPS up to .812 with a 3 for 4 day today. 2 singles, a double, and 2 steals. Only hitter doing anything for Memphis, quite literately. Rest of the team is 0 for 22 with 2 walks and 10 K’s.

[BrockFloodMaris]

Fantasy baseball prospect stock watch: Joshua Baez could lead the next wave

The St. Louis Cardinals began this week in an NL wild-card spot and one of the most surprising teams in baseball, with rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt among the first-year players making an impact. Perhaps there will be more young Cardinals on the way as well, led by OF Joshua Baez, who some view as being off to a disappointing start at Triple-A Memphis with a 34.5% strikeout rate and .232/.304/.497 line. However, we cannot ignore 11 home runs and seven stolen bases in 39 games either.

Baez, 23, emerged after hitting .287/.384/.500 across two minor league levels last season, with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases, making notably important strides in plate discipline with a 75% contact rate. He struggled initially at Double-A Springfield, then hit .308/.413/.615 in September. Expect Baez to improve his Triple-A numbers soon, notably his walk and strikeout rates. We know he can be more selective, and fantasy managers love to bet on power/speed options.

The rebuilding Cardinals certainly have room in their lineup for upgrades, with Baez as the prime candidate to watch. While OF Jordan Walker (finally) breaks out in right field, Victor Scott II and Nathan Church aren't exactly starring in the other spots, and even when OF Lars Nootbaar (heels) plays, he won't be blocking Baez. Walker is the lone Cardinal with double-digit home runs, and he leads the team with seven steals. Baez, who hammered a 438-foot home run against Jacksonville on Sunday, would fit in nicely.

The other top Cardinals hitting prospect (other than Wetherholt, of course) is C Rainel Rodriguez, who recently earned a promotion to Double-A. Rodriguez, 19, hit .311/.430/.519 at High-A Peoria. He's young and unlikely to debut in 2026, but managers in dynasty formats must secure him soon if he is available. If the Cardinals do not stick with offensively challenged C Pedro Pages, 24-year-old non-prospect Jimmy Crooks (slugging .624 with 13 home runs at Memphis) may get a chance.

Eric Karabell
May 19, 2026

Noot will in fact be blocking Baez until the trade deadline. I don’t see any room for JB before then.

[Ozziesfan41]

Fantasy baseball prospect stock watch: Joshua Baez could lead the next wave

The St. Louis Cardinals began this week in an NL wild-card spot and one of the most surprising teams in baseball, with rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt among the first-year players making an impact. Perhaps there will be more young Cardinals on the way as well, led by OF Joshua Baez, who some view as being off to a disappointing start at Triple-A Memphis with a 34.5% strikeout rate and .232/.304/.497 line. However, we cannot ignore 11 home runs and seven stolen bases in 39 games either.

Baez, 23, emerged after hitting .287/.384/.500 across two minor league levels last season, with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases, making notably important strides in plate discipline with a 75% contact rate. He struggled initially at Double-A Springfield, then hit .308/.413/.615 in September. Expect Baez to improve his Triple-A numbers soon, notably his walk and strikeout rates. We know he can be more selective, and fantasy managers love to bet on power/speed options.

The rebuilding Cardinals certainly have room in their lineup for upgrades, with Baez as the prime candidate to watch. While OF Jordan Walker (finally) breaks out in right field, Victor Scott II and Nathan Church aren't exactly starring in the other spots, and even when OF Lars Nootbaar (heels) plays, he won't be blocking Baez. Walker is the lone Cardinal with double-digit home runs, and he leads the team with seven steals. Baez, who hammered a 438-foot home run against Jacksonville on Sunday, would fit in nicely.

The other top Cardinals hitting prospect (other than Wetherholt, of course) is C Rainel Rodriguez, who recently earned a promotion to Double-A. Rodriguez, 19, hit .311/.430/.519 at High-A Peoria. He's young and unlikely to debut in 2026, but managers in dynasty formats must secure him soon if he is available. If the Cardinals do not stick with offensively challenged C Pedro Pages, 24-year-old non-prospect Jimmy Crooks (slugging .624 with 13 home runs at Memphis) may get a chance.

Eric Karabell
May 19, 2026

Noot will in fact be blocking Baez until the trade deadline. I don’t see any room for JB before then.

Baez is blocking himself by not being able to make contact

[imetsatchelpaige]

Baez OPS up to .812 with a 3 for 4 day today. 2 singles, a double, and 2 steals. Only hitter doing anything for Memphis, quite literately. Rest of the team is 0 for 22 with 2 walks and 10 K’s.

Impressive.

[ICCFIM2]

Fantasy baseball prospect stock watch: Joshua Baez could lead the next wave

The St. Louis Cardinals began this week in an NL wild-card spot and one of the most surprising teams in baseball, with rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt among the first-year players making an impact. Perhaps there will be more young Cardinals on the way as well, led by OF Joshua Baez, who some view as being off to a disappointing start at Triple-A Memphis with a 34.5% strikeout rate and .232/.304/.497 line. However, we cannot ignore 11 home runs and seven stolen bases in 39 games either.

Baez, 23, emerged after hitting .287/.384/.500 across two minor league levels last season, with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases, making notably important strides in plate discipline with a 75% contact rate. He struggled initially at Double-A Springfield, then hit .308/.413/.615 in September. Expect Baez to improve his Triple-A numbers soon, notably his walk and strikeout rates. We know he can be more selective, and fantasy managers love to bet on power/speed options.

The rebuilding Cardinals certainly have room in their lineup for upgrades, with Baez as the prime candidate to watch. While OF Jordan Walker (finally) breaks out in right field, Victor Scott II and Nathan Church aren't exactly starring in the other spots, and even when OF Lars Nootbaar (heels) plays, he won't be blocking Baez. Walker is the lone Cardinal with double-digit home runs, and he leads the team with seven steals. Baez, who hammered a 438-foot home run against Jacksonville on Sunday, would fit in nicely.

The other top Cardinals hitting prospect (other than Wetherholt, of course) is C Rainel Rodriguez, who recently earned a promotion to Double-A. Rodriguez, 19, hit .311/.430/.519 at High-A Peoria. He's young and unlikely to debut in 2026, but managers in dynasty formats must secure him soon if he is available. If the Cardinals do not stick with offensively challenged C Pedro Pages, 24-year-old non-prospect Jimmy Crooks (slugging .624 with 13 home runs at Memphis) may get a chance.

Eric Karabell
May 19, 2026

Noot will in fact be blocking Baez until the trade deadline. I don’t see any room for JB before then.

Baez is blocking himself by not being able to make contact

He is progressing exactly as he should. He played great in AA last year. Slow start this year, but improving since the start of the season. He still has a chance to make an impact at the MLs this season. If not, he will get his chance next year. I am not concerned at all by what he has done in AAA this year so far. It is certainly possible he fails. But, his floor is likely Nolan Gorman with speed. Given the black hole we have in CF now or LF for that matter, that is a massive upgrade. His ceiling is very high.

[Shady]

Fantasy baseball prospect stock watch: Joshua Baez could lead the next wave

The St. Louis Cardinals began this week in an NL wild-card spot and one of the most surprising teams in baseball, with rookie 2B JJ Wetherholt among the first-year players making an impact. Perhaps there will be more young Cardinals on the way as well, led by OF Joshua Baez, who some view as being off to a disappointing start at Triple-A Memphis with a 34.5% strikeout rate and .232/.304/.497 line. However, we cannot ignore 11 home runs and seven stolen bases in 39 games either.

Baez, 23, emerged after hitting .287/.384/.500 across two minor league levels last season, with 20 home runs and 54 stolen bases, making notably important strides in plate discipline with a 75% contact rate. He struggled initially at Double-A Springfield, then hit .308/.413/.615 in September. Expect Baez to improve his Triple-A numbers soon, notably his walk and strikeout rates. We know he can be more selective, and fantasy managers love to bet on power/speed options.

The rebuilding Cardinals certainly have room in their lineup for upgrades, with Baez as the prime candidate to watch. While OF Jordan Walker (finally) breaks out in right field, Victor Scott II and Nathan Church aren't exactly starring in the other spots, and even when OF Lars Nootbaar (heels) plays, he won't be blocking Baez. Walker is the lone Cardinal with double-digit home runs, and he leads the team with seven steals. Baez, who hammered a 438-foot home run against Jacksonville on Sunday, would fit in nicely.

The other top Cardinals hitting prospect (other than Wetherholt, of course) is C Rainel Rodriguez, who recently earned a promotion to Double-A. Rodriguez, 19, hit .311/.430/.519 at High-A Peoria. He's young and unlikely to debut in 2026, but managers in dynasty formats must secure him soon if he is available. If the Cardinals do not stick with offensively challenged C Pedro Pages, 24-year-old non-prospect Jimmy Crooks (slugging .624 with 13 home runs at Memphis) may get a chance.

Eric Karabell
May 19, 2026

Noot will in fact be blocking Baez until the trade deadline. I don’t see any room for JB before then.

Baez is blocking himself by not being able to make contact

He is progressing exactly as he should. He played great in AA last year. Slow start this year, but improving since the start of the season. He still has a chance to make an impact at the MLs this season. If not, he will get his chance next year. I am not concerned at all by what he has done in AAA this year so far. It is certainly possible he fails. But, his floor is likely Nolan Gorman with speed. Given the black hole we have in CF now or LF for that matter, that is a massive upgrade. His ceiling is very high.

It will be nice to see Baez' BA up over .250. A few more days like today might do it. Ideally, Noot comes up, proves he's healthy and is productive. Bloom explores his trade value at the deadline. In the meantime Baez keeps gaining more valuable experience at AAA. Getting him ready for a callup in case Bloom swings a deal involving Nootbaar.