Joshua Baez has been acting like Barry Bonds

History isn't rewritten every day, but yesterday, a rookie outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (Joshua Baez) did just that by hitting three home runs in his first three at-bats in the majors.

A feat that had never been accomplished before the game between the Cards and the Cubs in Chicago.

The 23-year-old outfielder hit the first pitch he saw from Matthew Boyd over the fences at Wrigley Field, and that was just the beginning of a historic day. Baez did it two more times, both times off Boyd. Boyd simply couldn't believe the power of the young man who had hit 34 home runs in Triple-A Memphis this season. Baez had also driven in 90 runs before getting the call up to the big league.

It was like watching Barry Bonds in his prime.

In total, Báez's home runs traveled 1,199 feet—enough to give the Cubs' starting pitcher nightmares.

The Cardinals won 8-4 against their division rivals, but they're still three and a half games out of a playoff spot. The team led by Oliver Marmol has been a pleasant surprise in 2026, having been predicted by experts to finish last in the National League Central.

Baez's feats—he drove in five runs during his major league debut—are noteworthy because no player before him had ever made such a debut in the majors, but he also helped his team secure an important victory on hostile turf.

Michael McGreevy benefited the most from his young teammate's exploits, as he was starting for his team. The right-handed pitcher earned his fifth win of 2026 against nine losses. He allowed three runs over six innings of work. Of course, Matthew Boyd took the loss—only his second of the season.

In his debut, Joshua Baez batted fifth in the Cardinals' lineup and patrolled left field. If the brief glimpse we've seen of him is any indication of genuine and consistent power, the heart of the Cards' lineup will be dangerous. Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson could benefit from Baez's presence to achieve even greater success at the plate.

It's certainly easier to hit home runs in Chicago than in St. Louis, but what the young Baez demonstrated yesterday by sending the ball over the fence three times was anything but timid. The guy has power, and it shows. His 34 home runs in Memphis weren't a fluke or a matter of luck.

Today, Baez and his teammates will have to face Edward Cabrera's pitches. Hunter Dobbins will be on the mound for the Cardinals.

The eyes of the baseball world will be on the famous Wrigley Field to see what Joshua Baez has in store for us on his second day in the Majors.

Created by humans, assisted by AI.