Farm Report: Springfield Sweeps, Jesús Báez Four Homers

THE CARDINAL CHRONICLE
Farm Report: Springfield Sweeps, Jesús Báez Four
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

The Cardinal Chronicle Farm Report is your most complete daily look at the Cardinals’ minor league system — from box scores and standings to standout performances, prospect notes and the daily Top 30 Prospect Watch.

Sunday belonged to Springfield.

The Cardinals completed Saturday’s suspended game with a 4-2 win over Arkansas, then came back and beat the Travelers again, 11-4, in the regularly scheduled game. Jesús Báez, the MLB Pipeline No. 21 prospect in the Cardinals’ system, earned Hitter of the Day honors after going 4-for-5 with three home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored in the second game. Braden Davis earned Pitcher of the Day honors after striking out seven over 4.1 innings in the opener.

The full-season affiliates finished 3-2, with Springfield winning twice and Palm Beach adding a win.

Memphis Redbirds — Triple-A
Overall Record: 69-57
Second Half: 22-29, 9th in the International League West, 9.0 GB
Streak: L1

Jacksonville 6, Memphis 2

Memphis had nine hits Sunday afternoon but could not turn enough of them into runs in a 6-2 loss to Jacksonville.

The Redbirds scored once in the second and once in the eighth, while Jacksonville used two-run innings in the third, fourth and sixth to build the lead.

Thomas Saggese went 2-for-4, César Prieto went 2-for-4 with an RBI, and Brody Moore went 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Leo Bernal, the MLB Pipeline No. 6 prospect, went 1-for-3 with a walk, while Victor Scott II went 1-for-5 with a run scored.

On the mound, Josh Fleming allowed four runs over five innings. Brycen Mautz, the MLB Pipeline No. 23 prospect, struck out three in one inning but allowed two runs. Matt Svanson, Hancel Rincón and Skylar Hales each worked a scoreless inning.

Takeaway: Memphis had traffic with nine hits, but only one extra-base hit and one RBI. The Redbirds slipped to 22-29 in the second half.

Springfield Cardinals — Double-A
Overall Record: 64-55
Second Half: 33-18, 1st in the Texas League North, 4.0 games ahead
Streak: W6

Springfield 4, Arkansas 2 — completion of suspended game

Springfield finished off Saturday’s suspended game with a 4-2 win over Arkansas.

The game had been suspended with the score tied, 1-1, and the Cardinals pushed across late runs to secure the victory.

Jesús Báez, the MLB Pipeline No. 21 prospect, went 1-for-4 with a home run, two RBIs and a run scored. Zach Levenson also homered, while Tre Richardson III doubled and scored. Dakota Harris added an RBI.

The pitching staff was excellent. Braden Davis worked 4.1 innings, allowing two hits, one earned run and two walks while striking out seven. Nolan Sparks, Michael Watson and José Davila combined for 3.2 scoreless innings, with Davila striking out three over two perfect frames. Sandro Santana, the MLB Pipeline No. 22 prospect, struck out three in the ninth.

Game Two - Springfield 11, Arkansas 4

Then came the fireworks.

Springfield beat Arkansas again, 11-4, behind a 14-hit attack and five home runs.

Jesús Báez had the biggest game in the system, going 4-for-5 with three home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored. It was a massive day for Báez, who already had homered in the completion of the suspended game.

His final line in the second game: 4-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R; giving him four homers in the two games.

Rainiel Rodriguez, the MLB Pipeline No. 1 prospect, was right there with him. Rodriguez went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and three runs scored.

His final line: 4-for-4, 2 HR, 2B, 3 RBI, 3 R

That is about as loud as a middle-of-the-order pairing can get.

Dakota Harris added two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Deniel Ortiz, the MLB Pipeline No. 27 prospect, had a hit and an RBI. Jon Jon Gazdar doubled and drove in a run. Josiah Ragsdale, the MLB Pipeline No. 10 prospect, walked twice and stole two bases.

On the mound, Blake Aita worked five innings, allowing three runs, two earned, while striking out three. The bullpen handled the rest, with Joseph King, Jack Findlay, Darlin Saladin and Randel Clemente covering the final four innings. Clemente struck out two in a scoreless ninth.

Takeaway: Springfield won twice, stretched its winning streak to six and now leads the Texas League North by four games. Báez and Rodriguez turned the second game into a power show.

Peoria Chiefs — High-A
Overall Record: 56-63
Second Half: 24-29, 5th in the Midwest League West, 9.5 GB
Streak: L2

Lansing 5, Peoria 0

Peoria’s offense was quiet again Sunday in a 5-0 loss to Lansing.

The Chiefs were held to two hits and did not record a notable extra-base hit. Jalin Flores and Michael Dattalo had the only Peoria hits, while Tristan Bissetta and Anyelo Encarnación each drew a walk.

Brian Holiday allowed three runs over 3.1 innings. The bullpen got scoreless work from Christian Worley, Zeke Wood, Dylan Driessen and Trey Pooser, but Lansing added two runs in the seventh to put the game away.

Takeaway: Peoria was shut out for the second straight day and finished with only two hits.

Palm Beach Cardinals — Low-A
Overall Record: 60-60
Second Half: 27-27, 2nd in the Florida State League East, 6.5 GB
Streak: W1

Palm Beach 3, Fort Myers 1

Palm Beach got back to .500 overall with a 3-1 win over Fort Myers.

The Cardinals trailed 1-0 before scoring three runs in the sixth inning. Alexander Frias, the MLB Pipeline No. 4 prospect, delivered the big swing, going 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Travis Honeyman added a double, an RBI and a run scored, while Sebastian Dos Santos, the MLB Pipeline No. 14 prospect, had one of Palm Beach’s four hits.

On the mound, Palm Beach allowed only three hits. Jefferson Moran opened with 3.2 no-hit innings, walking four and striking out five. Dallis Moran followed with 1.1 innings, allowing one unearned run. Giovanni Vargas, Justin Militello and Jesús García finished it off, with García working a clean ninth.

Takeaway: Frias supplied the swing, the pitching staff allowed only three hits, and Palm Beach climbed back to .500.

Top 30 Prospect Watch
Rainiel Rodriguez, MLB Pipeline No. 1, went 4-for-4 with two home runs, a double, three RBIs and three runs scored for Springfield. His live season line is now listed at .321 AVG, .966 OPS, 21 HR and 72 RBI.

Alexander Frias, MLB Pipeline No. 4, went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs for Palm Beach. His live season line is now listed at .322 AVG, .932 OPS, 10 HR and 70 RBI.

Leo Bernal, MLB Pipeline No. 6, went 1-for-3 with a walk for Memphis. His live season line is listed at .281 AVG, .845 OPS, 16 HR and 77 RBI.

Josiah Ragsdale, MLB Pipeline No. 10, walked twice, scored a run and stole two bases for Springfield.

Sebastian Dos Santos, MLB Pipeline No. 14, went 1-for-3 for Palm Beach.

Tai Peete, MLB Pipeline No. 19, went 1-for-4 with a run scored in Springfield’s suspended-game completion.

Jesús Báez, MLB Pipeline No. 21, went 1-for-4 with a home run and two RBIs in the first Springfield win, then went 4-for-5 with three home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored in the second game. His live season line is listed at .267 AVG, .881 OPS, 34 HR and 91 RBI.

Sandro Santana, MLB Pipeline No. 22, struck out three in one inning for Springfield.

Brycen Mautz, MLB Pipeline No. 23, struck out three in one inning for Memphis, but allowed two runs.

Ryan Mitchell, MLB Pipeline No. 24, went hitless for Palm Beach.

Deniel Ortiz, MLB Pipeline No. 27, had a hit, an RBI and a stolen base for Springfield.

Jack Gurevitch, MLB Pipeline No. 30, went hitless in the suspended-game completion.

Quick Hits: 10 Players, 10 Stats
1. Jesús Báez, Springfield: 4-for-5, three home runs, five RBIs, three runs in the second game. MLB Pipeline No. 21

2. Rainiel Rodriguez, Springfield: 4-for-4, two home runs, double, three RBIs, three runs. MLB Pipeline No. 1

3. Braden Davis, Springfield: 4.1 innings, two hits, one earned run, two walks, seven strikeouts.

4. Alexander Frias, Palm Beach: 1-for-4, home run, two RBIs. MLB Pipeline No. 4

5. Jefferson Moran, Palm Beach: 3.2 innings, no hits, no runs, four walks, five strikeouts.

6. José Davila, Springfield: 2.0 perfect innings, three strikeouts.

7. Sandro Santana, Springfield: 1.0 inning, one run, three strikeouts. MLB Pipeline No. 22

8. Brody Moore, Memphis: 2-for-3, double, run scored.

9. Thomas Saggese, Memphis: 2-for-4.

10. Dakota Harris, Springfield: Two-hit game in the second Springfield win, including a double and an RBI.

Cardinal Chronicle Player of the Day
Jesús Báez, 3B, Springfield Cardinals
MLB Pipeline Ranking: No. 21

Jesús Báez had the loudest day in the Cardinals’ system.

After homering and driving in two runs in the completion of the suspended game, Báez came back in the regularly scheduled game and went 4-for-5 with three home runs, five RBIs and three runs scored.

His final line in Game 2: 4-for-5, 3 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R

That is a Player of the Day performance.

Cardinal Chronicle Pitcher of the Day
Braden Davis, RHP, Springfield Cardinals

Braden Davis set the tone for Springfield in the completion of the suspended game.

His final line: 4.1 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K

Davis missed bats, kept Arkansas in check and helped Springfield finish off the first of two wins Sunday.

The Final Word
Springfield is turning into one of the best stories in the Cardinals’ system.

The Cardinals won twice Sunday, stretched their winning streak to six and pushed their second-half lead in the Texas League North to four games. Báez hit four home runs across the two games. Rodriguez hit two more. The lineup looked dangerous, and the pitching staff did enough to finish the sweep.

Memphis lost despite nine hits. Peoria’s offense stayed quiet in another shutout loss. Palm Beach rallied behind Frias and a strong pitching effort to get back to .500.

But Sunday’s farm story was Springfield.

Two wins.
Six straight.
A first-place club.
A power show from Báez and Rodriguez.

That is the farm report.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports & MiLB Today
Preserving the Past, Promoting the Present, and Projecting the Future.

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Photo Credit: Jesús Báez, Springfield Cardinals| MLB