On a night that will be remembered in Redbirds lore, St. Louis Cardinals No. 3 prospect Joshua Báez delivered one of the most explosive performances in Triple-A history, going 4-for-5 with seven RBIs and four home runs to power the Memphis Redbirds to a 12-5 victory over the Nashville Sounds on Tuesday night.
The 22-year-old outfielder became the first player in Redbirds franchise history to hit four home runs in a single game. His blasts traveled 375, 408, 373, and 354 feet, propelling him to the International League lead with 23 home runs on the season.
Báez, who has been scorching since late May with a .377/.393/.883 slash line, joined elite company as just the 14th Triple-A player to record a four-homer game since 2005. The performance came at a pivotal moment for a Cardinals organization pushing for a playoff spot, intensifying calls from fans for his promotion to the big leagues.
What made the night truly unforgettable, however, was the emotional weight behind the fourth home run. Báez revealed postgame that the date marked the third anniversary of his father’s passing from a heart attack in 2023.
“Today was just really emotional,” Báez said. “I was just trying to push through, and it’s just insane I was able to hit four home runs in one night.”
The right-handed hitter launched homers in the first, third, fifth, and eighth innings, providing a masterclass in power and consistency that left Nashville pitchers with few answers. His seven RBIs tied a season high for any Redbirds player in a single game this year, and the offensive outburst helped Memphis pull away comfortably in the International League contest.
Báez’s emergence this season has been nothing short of electric. A second-round pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, the 6-foot-3, 220-pound outfielder has combined patience at the plate with prodigious power, posting eye-popping exit velocities and proving he belongs among the game’s top prospects. His recent surge has Cardinals brass and fans alike buzzing about when — not if — he’ll make the jump to Busch Stadium.
With the Cardinals in the thick of a competitive National League Central race and currently holding the first Wild Card spot, Báez’s timing could not be better. His combination of raw power, improving plate discipline, and now-proven ability to carry a lineup has many wondering if a call-up is imminent.
For now, Memphis fans got to witness history firsthand at AutoZone Park. One night, four homers, seven RBIs, and a heartfelt tribute to a father watching from above. Joshua Báez didn’t just have a game — he etched his name into the record books.
