Jesus Baez

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked New York Mets #3 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 55/High.
  
  Track Record: From Amed Rosario to Andres Gimenez to Ronny Mauricio to Francisco Alvarez, every Mets No. 1 prospect between 2017 and 2023 was signed internationally. Baez is the most likely candidate to be next. The Mets signed him for a modest $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. In two seasons of Rookie ball, Baez’s batted-ball data outshined his on-field production. That began to change in 2024, when he slugged his way from Low-A St. Lucie to High-A Brooklyn as a 19-year-old. In early July, just as he was finding his rhythm, Baez tore the meniscus in his right knee and had season-ending surgery.
  
  Scouting Report: Although it is true today that more players reach High-A as teenagers after MLB reconfigured the minor leagues in 2021, Baez still stands out for his production and progress at a young age. He has an active hitting approach, plus bat speed and exceptional high-end exit velocity—up near a maximum of 111 mph—for his age. Baez tracks the ball well, hits it hard consistently and already pulls the ball in the air like a more experienced hitter. He doesn’t take many walks and can be enticed to chase, but above-average bat-to-ball skills help him limit strikeouts. He looks confident in the box and is a good mover who improved his swing path in 2024 to make it more direct. Scouts highest on Baez project him to become a plus hitter with plus power. Baez has focused mostly on shortstop, but he began to take a larger share of third base in 2024. His hands and arm grade as plus, but he’s slow-footed and not rangy, making third base or second base good landing spots.
  
  The Future: Baez is the Mets’ top helium prospect. They rave about his attitude and work ethic. He has a chance to reach the upper minors as a 20-year-old in 2025 and muscle his way up prospect lists.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 60
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60.
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #17 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Exemplary bat speed and raw power drew the Mets to sign Baez for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He blasted seven homers and won the organization’s Dominican Summer League player of the year award in his 2022 pro debut. Baez found the going tougher in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League in 2023, where he hit .210 but supplied enough extra-base thump that his .123 isolated slugging ranked 14th among qualified 18-and-younger hitters in the power-suppressing league.
  
  Scouting Report: Baez hits the ball harder than most 18-year-olds, and the ball sounds different coming off his bat when he barrels it. He identifies pitches well by staying within his zone and making contact at a high rate for a hitter with power. Baez started slowly in the FCL and began to press, which led to an elevated groundball rate, less-than-ideal angles and a .245 batting average on balls in play that was among the lowest in the league. Being more selectively aggressive could enable him to grow into a .240-type hitter with above-average power and on-base ability. Baez has cleaned up his shortstop actions and has soft hands, but his thickening 5-foot-10 frame, plus arm and lack of twitchiness mark him as a future third baseman. He is a well below-average runner.
  
  The Future: With a likely corner profile, Baez must figure things out offensively. He has plenty of time to do so and will be a part of the Low-A St. Lucie infield picture in 2024. With Colin Houck and Marco Vargas also projected to the Florida State League, Baez may begin playing more third base.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 40 | Power: 55 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 60
• 
  Ranked New York Mets #13 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Baez's plus raw power enticed the Mets to sign the 17-year-old for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He made a memorable pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting five home runs and slugging .648 in his first 14 games. While Baez's pace slowed after that, he finished with seven homers, a total topped by just five 17-or-younger hitters in the 49-team DSL. The Mets rewarded him with the organization's DSL player of the year award.
  
  Scouting Report: Baez has plus-plus bat speed and hits the ball very hard for his age. His average exit velocity in the DSL bordered on 88 mph and his 90th percentile reading of 104 mph puts him in good company. Baez's swing has some adjustability and he draws his share of walks, but his 27% chase rate will need to improve against more advanced pitchers. His 5-foot-10 frame is filled out but not totally mature. In the field, Baez has a plus-plus arm that gives him greater margin for error and allows him to play deep at shortstop. His range, hands and actions may be light for the position, especially as he physically matures, and he faces a likely move to third base. He is an average runner who figures to slow a tick or two.
  
  The Future: Baez plays with swagger and has a chance to back it up with impact power. A big spring could propel him to Low-A at some point early in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 70.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Baez's plus raw power enticed the Mets to sign the 17-year-old for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He made a memorable pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting five home runs and slugging .648 in his first 14 games. While Baez's pace slowed after that, he finished with seven homers, a total topped by just five 17-or-younger hitters in the 49-team DSL. The Mets rewarded him with the organization's DSL player of the year award.
  
  Scouting Report: Baez has plus-plus bat speed and hits the ball very hard for his age. His average exit velocity in the DSL bordered on 88 mph and his 90th percentile reading of 104 mph puts him in good company. Baez's swing has some adjustability and he draws his share of walks, but his 27% chase rate will need to improve against more advanced pitchers. His 5-foot-10 frame is filled out but not totally mature. In the field, Baez has a plus-plus arm that gives him greater margin for error and allows him to play deep at shortstop. His range, hands and actions may be light for the position, especially as he physically matures, and he faces a likely move to third base. He is an average runner who figures to slow a tick or two.
  
  The Future: Baez plays with swagger and has a chance to back it up with impact power. A big spring could propel him to Low-A at some point early in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 70.
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 50/Extreme
  
  Track Record: Baez's plus raw power enticed the Mets to sign the 17-year-old for $275,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022. He made a memorable pro debut in the Dominican Summer League, hitting five home runs and slugging .648 in his first 14 games. While Baez's pace slowed after that, he finished with seven homers, a total topped by just five 17-or-younger hitters in the 49-team DSL. The Mets rewarded him with the organization's DSL player of the year award.
  
  Scouting Report: Baez has plus-plus bat speed and hits the ball very hard for his age. His average exit velocity in the DSL bordered on 88 mph and his 90th percentile reading of 104 mph puts him in good company. Baez's swing has some adjustability and he draws his share of walks, but his 27% chase rate will need to improve against more advanced pitchers. His 5-foot-10 frame is filled out but not totally mature. In the field, Baez has a plus-plus arm that gives him greater margin for error and allows him to play deep at shortstop. His range, hands and actions may be light for the position, especially as he physically matures, and he faces a likely move to third base. He is an average runner who figures to slow a tick or two.
  
  The Future: Baez plays with swagger and has a chance to back it up with impact power. A big spring could propel him to Low-A at some point early in 2023.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 40. Power: 55. Speed: 45. Fielding: 40. Arm: 70.
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/Extreme
  
  Midseason Update: Signed in January, Baez is a 17-year-old Dominican shortstop who powered his way to five homers and a .544 slugging percentage in his first 18 games in the Dominican Summer League. He has advanced feel to hit and power for his age, with big swings producing loud contact and impact. Baez is filled out for his age and may slide to third base as he matures, but he has major helium in the system.