Checking in on Former Smokies: Javier Baez’s Career Revival

Written by Philip Stalzer

Minor league prospects are always an exciting gamble. Fans often love seeing homegrown players make it to the big leagues with the team that drafted them — it creates a stronger bond between the players, the club, and the fans. The 2016 Cubs were a perfect example, with homegrown stars like Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber, Kris Bryant, and Javier Báez playing key roles in their World Series win.

Sometimes, however, prospects are used in trades to acquire current major leaguers. While it is sometimes tough to let go of prospects, especially highly ranked ones, it is often exciting to see new players make an impact for a team, especially if the team is pushing for a playoff run.

Javier Baez returns to All-Star form

After being traded to the New York Mets as a rental piece at the 2021 trade deadline, Javier Baez signed a 6-year deal with the Detroit Tigers before the 2022 season started. In his first three seasons with the team, Baez struggled mightily.

Over 360 games played for the Tigers — the second most over that span to Spencer Torkelson (361) — Baez hit .221 with an OPS of just .609. The dazzling shortstop who earned two MLB All-Star game appearances, a Silver Slugger and Gold Glove award, finished second in MVP voting in 2018, won NLCS MVP in 2016 and won the World Series with the Cubs looked to be past his best years, was fighting just to stay on the field.

Once an icon in Chicago, Baez became somewhat of a laughing stock in the media as his extremely poor swing decisions and awful strikeouts became notorious. This was a shell of the player Tennessee Smokies fans had witnessed in 2013, when Baez hit 20 home runs in 54 games while batting .294 in his only stint as a Smokie. In 2025, Baez seemed to make some significant changes and started the season very strong.

In 22 games in April of this season, Baez hit .292, taking many people by surprise. While May was a bit of a down month (.250 batting average), June was a fantastic month for Baez, who hit above .300 and had an OPS of .840. The strong performances in April and June earned Baez the start in the 2025 MLB All-Star game.

Baez struggled again in July but has gotten off to a decent start in August, slugging .529. On the season, Baez is slashing .262/.292/.423. While his numbers are not anything too spectacular, 2025 has been Baez’s best season since he left Chicago in 2021 when he hit .265 with an OPS of .813.

Baez will look to continue this success and attempt to revive the back half of his career with the Tigers.

Christian Franklin earned himself some trade stock

Christian Franklin, the outfielder drafted out of Arkansas by the Cubs in the fourth round, was traded to the Washington Nationals before the deadline this year. However, before the trade, the former Smokie was working hard to gain that type of interest.

After being called up to Double-A for the playoffs and winning the Southern League Championship with the Smokies in 2023, Franklin had another solid year for the Smokies in 2024 before earning the call-up to Triple-A. In 86 games played in Iowa this season, Franklin slashed .265/.393/.427, hitting eight home runs and driving in 41 runs in the process.

While Franklin seemed to be playing well in Triple-A, there was no room for him in the majors. Already stacked with Pete Crow-Armstrong, Kyle Tucker, Seiya Suzuki and Ian Happ in the majors, and with prospects like Owen Caissie and Kevin Alcantara likely to get a chance at the next level before Franklin, the Cubs decided to use his success as trade value.

The Cubs targeted Mike Soroka of the Nationals, sending Franklin and Ronny Cruz to the Nationals in return for Soroka.

Franklin has made a strong first impression with the Rochester Red Wings, the Triple-A affiliate of the Nationals. In just four games so far, Franklin is hitting .308 with an OPS just above .800. While the Red Wings have not yet seen Franklin’s power, they have still seen the productive bat.

Although the Nationals have a couple of potential young stars in their outfield as of right now, Franklin definitely has a chance to be a part of the youth movement in D.C. as they continue to rebuild their team.

Don’t forget to check in every Thursday/Friday for more updates on your favorite former Smokies. You can find the articles at www.milb.com/knoxville/news.