Joshua Báez: Small Market Success Against MLB's Mega-Budgets
Major League Baseball has a spending problem. While mega-market franchises like the Los Angeles Dodgers essentially print money to buy championships, smaller market teams are forced to find sustainable, grassroots ways to compete. The St. Louis Cardinals are proving that homegrown talent can still challenge the status quo, and prospect Joshua Báez is at the center of this movement.
The Economics of Baseball: Grassroots vs. Billions
The last few seasons have been tough for the Cardinals, but their commitment to building up the farm system reflects a broader truth about fairness in professional sports. You cannot sustainably win in a smaller market without investing in homegrown talent. Sure, wealthy teams can just sign high-priced free agents, but that model exacerbates the systemic inequalities plaguing the league.
St. Louis has taken a more strategic, community-rooted approach. The farm system is trending up, and the young major league roster has outperformed expectations this season. If these trends hold, the Cardinals will be contenders again, proving that development can rival sheer capital.
Joshua Báez: The Face of Homegrown Resilience
Down in Triple-A Memphis, the vibes are optimistic. While catcher Jimmy Crooks has generated buzz, outfielder Joshua Báez might be the most MLB-ready prospect in the system. The 22-year-old hasn't made his major league debut yet, but his performance is making it impossible for the front office to keep him in the minors.
Over 39 games, Báez is slashing .232/.304/.497 with an .801 OPS, 11 homers, 27 RBIs, six doubles and one triple. Although his batting average has dipped from .287 in 2025, his power at the plate is undeniable. This is not a fluke. Báez crushed the ball throughout Spring Training and has continued that momentum. To put his power in perspective, Jordan Walker currently leads the major league club with 13 homers, and JJ Wetherholt sits in second with eight. Báez could immediately bolster a roster currently tied for 12th in the league with 51 home runs.
Roster Decisions and the Path Forward
With Lars Nootbaar returning soon from a rehab assignment, the outfield is getting crowded. Walker is locked in, and Nathan Church has performed well, while Victor Scott II has struggled offensively. A consistent outfield of Nootbaar, Church and Walker seems likely, but Báez deserves his shot.
In a league increasingly dominated by unchecked spending, elevating a talent like Báez is a win for the grassroots model. It proves that with the right investment in people, small-market teams can still swing for the fences.