MiLB Player of the Day: Báez Stays Hot as Memphis Climbs Back Into First

The Cardinal Chronicle
Báez Stays Red-Hot as Memphis Climbs Back Into First Place
St. Louis, MO
By Ray Mileur

Joshua Báez is not just having a good series.

He is making noise that is echoing throughout Busch Stadium

Báez earns The Cardinal Chronicle’s Player of the Day honors after continuing a remarkable power surge Thursday night in Memphis’ 5-4 extra-inning win over Omaha.

The Memphis outfielder homered for the third straight game against the Storm Chasers, giving him five home runs in the series. He also added an RBI triple, helping the Redbirds win a tight game and move back into first place in the International League West.

That matters.

There were other strong candidates across the Cardinals’ system. Won-Bin Cho drove in five runs for Peoria in a wild 13-11 loss at Wisconsin. Yordalin Peña went 4-for-5 with a triple, three RBIs and two runs scored in Palm Beach’s 9-3 win over Lakeland.

Both deserved serious consideration.

But Báez gets the nod because his production came in a first-place swing game for Memphis, and because he has turned this series into a loud reminder of the raw power that has always made him one of the more intriguing bats in the organization.

Five home runs in a series will get your attention. Doing it at Triple-A, in games that matter in the standings, moves it beyond a hot streak and into something more meaningful.

Báez has always had the tools. The question has been consistency, contact and whether the power would show up often enough against advanced pitching. This week, it has shown up in a hurry.

Thursday night was not just another box-score line. It was another step in a stretch that has helped push Memphis back to the top of the standings.

That is not just a hot night.

That is impact at Triple-A.

The Cardinal Chronicle, in association with Gateway Sports

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Photo Credit: MiLB Baseball