Full Breakdown
Joshua Baez’s Historic MLB Debut: Three Homers in His First Three At-Bats
8/17/2026, 6:00:12 AM
The Record-Setting Game
On August 15, 2026, rookie outfielder Joshua Baez debuted for the St. Louis Cardinals at Wrigley Field. Facing Cubs starter Matthew Boyd, Baez homered in each of his first three plate appearances—in the first, fourth and sixth innings—driving in five runs and finishing 3-for-4. The Cardinals defeated Chicago 8-4, and Baez became the first player in MLB history to hit a home run in each of his first three career at-bats. The first blast traveled an estimated 449 feet to left-center; the second cleared the left-field line; the third landed in right-field.
Background & Path to the Majors
Born in Boston and raised partly in the Dominican Republic, Baez played high school baseball at Dexter Southfield in Brookline. The Cardinals selected him in the second round of the 2021 MLB Draft, signing him for a $2.25 million bonus. In 2026 he entered the season with Triple-A Memphis, leading the league with 34 home runs, 90 RBIs, a .901 OPS, and 21 stolen bases in 103 games.
Baez’s father, Jose Manuel Báez, died in 2023. Baez told reporters before his debut that he promised his dad he would reach the majors, a vow he fulfilled on that August night.
Key Figures
- Joshua Baez — 23-year-old Cardinals outfielder, top prospect.
- Matthew Boyd — Cubs left-handed starter who yielded all three homers.
- Oliver Marmol — Cardinals manager, praised Baez’s composure.
- Craig Counsell — Cubs manager, noted Baez’s three-pitch variety.
- Jose Manuel Báez — Baez’s late father, source of personal motivation.
Data & Statistics
- Game line: Cardinals 8, Cubs 4.
- Baez’s line: 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3-for-4, 5 runs scored.
- Home-run distances: 449 ft (center) plus left-field line and right-field shots.
- Triple-A Memphis (2026): .256 average, .901 OPS, 34 HR, 90 RBI, 21 SB.
- Prospect rankings: No. 3 in the Cardinals system (MLB Pipeline); No. 59 on the overall Top 100 list.
Official Statements & Responses
Cubs pitcher Matthew Boyd admitted, “He just, he got the better of me,” and noted the first pitch “missed with the first heater.”
Cubs manager Craig Counsell called the feat “great,” highlighting Baez’s ability to hit three different pitches for home runs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “I was just really glad that the ball went over the wall,” — Joshua Baez
- “He hit three different pitches for home runs. He had a great game,” — Craig Counsell
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
ESPN reported the first homer as the third-longest debut home run since its 2006 tracking began, measuring 449 feet. The MLB estimate matches ESPN’s figure, but the precise ranking among all historic debuts remains unverified.
Why It Matters
Baez’s three-home-run debut is an unprecedented power display that instantly strengthens the Cardinals’ lineup and provides a rare statistical milestone. The performance underscores the effectiveness of the Cardinals’ prospect development pipeline and sets a high bar for Baez’s future contributions.
