The Javier Báez renaissance is fully underway, as he showcased his skills on Tuesday night. Báez blasted two three-run home runs against the Boston Red Sox, including a walk-off shot while the team was down by two in the 11th inning (DET 10, BOS 9). This victory marked the Detroit Tigers as the best team in the American League, with a record of 28-15, having won 10 of their last 13 games.
Here’s a glimpse of Báez’s impressive performance. When he’s in top form, few players can match the excitement of El Mago.
This was Báez’s second career walk-off home run; the first was with the Chicago Cubs on May 8, 2016, against Blake Treinen and the Washington Nationals.
In addition, Báez drew a walk and scored due to catcher Carlos Narváez’s throwing error during a pickoff attempt, elevating his season batting average to .319/.357/.513 with five homers and 27 RBI, adding 23 RBIs in his last 14 games.
Seven weeks into the 2025 season, Báez’s performance mirrors his peak years with the Cubs.
Most remarkably, he’s excelling as a center fielder, a departure from his usual shortstop role. The Tigers currently have three outfielders on the injured list: Parker Meadows, Wenceel Pérez, and Matt Vierling, prompting the team to reposition him during spring training for greater versatility. He made his first career start in center on April 21 and has since started in center for 16 of 21 games.
“We’re here to help the team,” Báez commented on his center field role last month (via MLB.com). “Everybody’s available to help the team. There are many opportunities to play different positions, and we have a lot of guys who can do it. If I can stay healthy, I’ll do anything, man. I can even catch if needed.”
Although the sample size is limited, Báez has been defensively sound in center, registering plus-4 defensive runs saved and plus-2 outs above average. His athleticism and speed are apparent. The primary concern was how he would handle jumps and routes, but so far, they’ve been commendable.
This marks Year 4 of Báez’s six-year, $140 million contract, following three disappointing years in which he slashed .221/.262/.247 with a 2.1 WAR. His 2024 stats were particularly troubling at .184/.221/.294 with a -1.1 WAR. Notably, there were discussions about the Tigers possibly releasing him to free themselves from his contract this offseason.
Fortunately for the Tigers, they didn’t follow through with that idea. Báez has emerged as a vital asset on the leading team in the league, and his performance could earn him a spot in the All-Star Game, although that is still a few weeks away. After being viewed as a lost cause last year, Báez is experiencing a remarkable resurgence this season.
