Cardinals’ Baez makes history with three home runs in MLB debut

St Louis Cardinals rookie left fielder Joshua Baez has become the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three home runs in his first three at-bats during his debut against the Chicago Cubs on Saturday. The 23-year-old, called up from Triple-A Memphis earlier in the day, drove in five runs as the Cardinals secured an 8-4 victory at Wrigley Field.

Baez’s historic performance began in the top of the first inning, where he launched a 449-foot two-run home run off Cubs starter Matthew Boyd on the very first pitch he faced. He followed this with a 389-foot solo shot to left field in his second at-bat, restoring the Cardinals’ lead to 4-3. In the top of the sixth, Baez completed the feat with a 368-foot two-run homer to right field, bringing home Alec Burleson for the second time.

The Cardinals’ offence was bolstered by additional home runs from teammates Jordan Walker and Burleson, contributing to a total of five home runs in the game. Baez’s debut stands in contrast to other recent rookies who have hit multiple home runs in their first games, such as Jose Fernandez, Braden Montgomery, and Chase DeLauter, none of whom achieved the specific distinction of hitting three in their first three opportunities.

Baez was drafted 54th overall by the Cardinals in 2021 and was ranked as the team’s third-ranked minor league prospect. His path to the majors included a strong 2026 season in Triple-A, where he recorded a .256 batting average, 34 home runs, and 90 RBIs across 410 at-bats. He had previously demonstrated his power potential by hitting four home runs in a single Triple-A Memphis game in June 2026.

The victory over NL Central rival Chicago Cubs provided immediate confirmation of the Cardinals’ development strategy for Baez. His performance on Saturday marked a significant milestone for the organisation, establishing him as a key contributor in the major leagues following his rapid progression through the minor league system.