Astros’ Luis Baez Draws Early Buzz In U.S. Debut
It didn’t take Luis Baez long to show he was ready to play in the United States.
In 11 June games, the 19-year-old outfielder hit .333/.458/.821 with six home runs in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League.
Astros farm director Sara Goodrum identified Baez immediately when she was asked which young player was creating early buzz in the farm system.
“The biggest thing that stands out with Luis Baez is his power and ability to do damage at the plate,” Goodrum said. “He consistently hits the ball hard at a good trajectory.
“From this season to last year, he has shown improvements in his ability to discern ball versus strike.”
The Astros signed the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Baez out of the Dominican Republic. He signed for $1.3 million in January in 2022, shortly after he turned 18. His bonus was the franchise’s largest international signing bonus of the cycle.
Baez hit nine home runs with a .903 OPS in 58 games last year in the Dominican Summer League.
The righthanded hitter had dramatically improved his plate discipline markers since last season, bumping his walk rate from 6% to nearly 18% while cutting his strikeout rate from 25% to nearly 16%.
“As he continues to make good swing decisions with his ability to do damage, Luis will continue to rise as a standout player,” Goodrum said.
Defensively, Baez is athletic enough to play center field but has focused on right field as a professional.
