Cardinals’ Baez makes history with three home runs in MLB debut
St Louis rookie hits three home runs in first three at-bats against Chicago Cubs, while Washington’s Seaver King emerges as top prospect
Joshua Baez has become the first player in Major League Baseball history to hit three home runs in his debut, achieving the feat in his first three at-bats against the Chicago Cubs on 15 August 2026. The 23-year-old St Louis Cardinals outfielder launched a 449-foot two-run homer on the first pitch he saw in the first inning, followed by two additional home runs off starter Matthew Boyd. The historic performance powered the Cardinals to an 8-4 victory at Wrigley Field, with Baez driving in five runs.
The debut has triggered a significant shift in fantasy baseball markets, with Baez’s ownership rate surging from 45 per cent to 81 per cent, according to CBS Sports. This rapid increase has rendered him unavailable on typical waiver wires in standard leagues. The performance follows a strong minor league campaign where Baez hit 37 home runs in 105 games at Triple-A, a pace that prorates to 57 home runs over a full 162-game season.
Despite the historic nature of the debut, statistical analysis highlights potential vulnerabilities in Baez’s game. In Triple-A, he struck out at a 30 per cent rate with a zone contact rate of just 78 per cent, figures that would rank fourth-to-last among major league qualifiers. All three home runs in his debut came off soft-tossing pitcher Matthew Boyd, leaving questions regarding his ability to handle high-velocity pitching at the major league level.
Attention in the fantasy market has also shifted to Washington Nationals shortstop Seaver King, who is being identified as a key prospect to watch. King is currently batting .469, with 15 hits in 32 at-bats, four home runs, and two stolen bases in his past eight Triple-A games. His potential call-up has gained traction following reports that Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams is shifting to second base.
The positional change for Abrams creates a roster dynamic where current second baseman Nasim Nunez may trade places with him, or alternatively, open a spot for King at shortstop. While King is noted as a free swinger, his ability to hit line drives and power to all fields makes him a viable option for teams needing support up the middle. As the season enters its final 45 days, King’s surge at Triple-A positions him as a primary candidate for a major league roster spot.
