Detroit Tigers shortstop Javier Baez (28). Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Javier Baez's resurgence continues in win vs. Astros

By Clark Dalton | Last updated Apr 30, 2025 7:18 PM ET

Javier Baez may be resurrecting his career after three disappointing seasons with the Detroit Tigers.

Baez, who signed a six-year, $140M contract with the Tigers in 2022, posted a subpar .215 batting average in his first three seasons in Detroit. He played in just 80 regular-season games in 2024 because of a season-ending hip injury.

In 2025, however, he's reminding fans why he's a two-time All-Star and a World Series champion. Take Wednesday's road game against the Houston Astros.

In the top of the third inning with the Tigers leading 3-1, Baez crushed an 82 mph slider from Astros starting pitcher AJ Blubaugh into left field for a 350-foot grand slam. It was his first home run of the season.

Javy Báez's first home run of the season is a grand slam! pic.twitter.com/Kyxycv3AyZ
— MLB (@MLB) April 30, 2025

Baez's grand slam lifted the Tigers to a 7-4 victory over the Astros, which helped Detroit avoid a sweep after it dropped the first two games of the series. In the win, he finished 1-for-4 at the plate.

Through his first 25 games, he's slashing .296/.337/.407 and has 11 RBI. He attributes his offensive resurgence to improved plate discipline.

"Making adjustments," Baez said of his improvement at the plate a couple of weeks ago, via MLB.com's Jason Beck. "Just trying to be patient and trying to see the ball through the zone. I'm trying to work on my timing, not the pitcher's timing."

Baez also gives the Tigers lineup flexibility. This season, he has played shortstop, third base and center field, excelling at each position. He has a stellar .964 fielding percentage at third base and a 1.000 fielding percentage at shortstop and center field.

The Tigers (19-12) won 18 games in April, tying a franchise record set by their 1984 World Series team, according to Chris McCosky of The Detroit News. If Baez continues to play a crucial role for a championship contender, that should help make amends for failing to meet expectations in his first three seasons with Detroit.

Clark Dalton

Dalton is a 2022 journalism graduate of the University of Texas at Austin. He gained experience in sports media over the past seven years — from live broadcasting and creating short films to podcasting and producing. In college, he wrote for The Daily Texan. He loves sports and enjoys hiking, kayaking and camping.

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