Joan Baez

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Washington Nationals #27 prospect in 2018
  Baez' first stint in high Class A Potomac didn't yield the control development that he and the Nationals were hoping for. In two different stretches in the Carolina League--sandwiching a short four-game stretch in the GCL--the flame-throwing righthander walked 7.5 batters per inning despite a respectable 3.87 ERA. That walk rate is the worst of Baez' career as he continued to struggle finding a consistent release point and couldn't get his lower half in line to the plate regularly. Making things worse, Baez tends to fall off the cliff when he fails on the mound, and he'll go through short dominant stretches only to have his outing fall apart after allowing a hit or a free pass. His stuff continues to make Baez exciting, however, as he has a mid-90s fastball that gets up to 96-97, a breaking ball that flashes plus and an improving changeup. He struggles to get on top of his curve regularly as his arm slot consistently drops on the pitch--another symptom of his mechanical struggles. He'll repeat the Carolina League in 2018 and try to figure out how to throw strikes.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #29 prospect in 2017
  The Nationals signed Baez for $7,500 in 2014 and he broke out a year later in his first full season in the U.S. when his fastball velocity spiked and he touched 100 mph. He spent the 2016 season with low Class A Hagerstown, where he again impressed with his arm strength. Baez's fastball sits in the mid 90s and regularly reaches the upper 90s. He pairs that with a curveball that is an above-average offering and a developing changeup. Like many young power pitchers, Baez's control will need improvement. He is still working to consistently repeat his delivery, as well as learning to refine his approach to become more of a pitcher and less of a thrower. Baez remains raw, but offers plenty of upside. He will advance to high Class A Potomac in 2017 as he continues to work to harness his considerable arm strength.
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  Ranked Washington Nationals #18 prospect in 2016
  Signed for just $7,500 as a 19-year-old in April 2014, Baez emerged a year later during his first full year in the U.S. when his fastball velocity shot up and he touched 100 mph. He still is learning how to harness his exceptional arm strength, however, and remains raw on the mound. Baez's delivery features no excessive effort, and he throws from a downhill angle. His fastball sits in the mid-90s now, and he still has room to fill out his frame with an additional 15-20 pounds. His curveball shows flashes of being an above-average pitch, but it is inconsistent, and his changeup is still in its nascent stages of development. Baez still is learning how to repeat his arm slot, and his command has suffered as a result. He began the 2015 season at low Class A Hagerstown before going down to the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League and short-season Auburn to hone the rough edges of his game. After finishing strong in the instructional league, Baez will get another crack at the South Atlantic League in 2016.