The St. Louis Cardinals' catching situation is a powder keg of potential and uncertainty, and fans are buzzing with anticipation. Fresh off the Winter Warm-Up event, the excitement is palpable as the Cardinals faithful eagerly await the young talent ready to ignite Busch Stadium. Even with the inevitable growing pains of a rebuilding season, Cardinals Nation is counting down the days until Spring Training, hungry for a glimpse into the team's future.
But here's where it gets intriguing... While Chaim Bloom has brought some clarity to the roster by trading veterans like Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado, several positions remain up in the air just a month before Spring Training. Brendan Donovan's trade status is still murky, Lars Nootbaar's rehab progress is unclear, and Ivan Herrera, the expected near-everyday catcher, dropped a bombshell at the Winter Warm-Up: he's not yet 100% cleared to throw or hit. This throws his participation in Spring Training and the World Baseball Classic with Team Panama into question.
Is the Cardinals' catching situation as solid as it seems? Manager Oli Marmol attributes Herrera's throwing struggles to a past arm injury, and Herrera himself is eager to prove himself behind the plate. However, without knowing the full extent of his injury history, it's risky to assume surgery will magically restore his command of the running game. His best defensive season was back in 2019 in Single-A, where he caught 24 runners stealing but also allowed 10 passed balls. Since then, while he's improved at keeping the ball in front of him, his caught stealing percentage has never topped 25% at any level. In his major league career, he's thrown out just 6 baserunners out of 75 attempts.
And this is the part most people miss... Despite these concerns, I wholeheartedly agree that Herrera should be the primary catcher next season, starting 3-4 games a week as long as his health allows. His value to the team is highest in this role, especially if his throwing improves. Named a Top 100 player in all of baseball, Herrera has the potential to be a front-runner for the NL Silver Slugger Award if he can solidify the position for 90-100 games and effectively handle the pitching staff.
If Herrera falters or gets injured, Pedro Pages has proven himself capable of managing a pitching staff. However, his offensive performance, outside of an extraordinary August, has been underwhelming. His career 30.8% caught stealing rate is impressive, and his ability to play second base adds versatility. Pages seems destined for a long career as a major league backup catcher with occasional starting opportunities.
Here's a controversial take: What if the Cardinals traded Pages and created a mini platoon with Herrera and Jimmy Crooks? Crooks, a left-handed hitter with strong defensive skills, could step into the backup role while gaining experience at the major league level. With Leonardo Bernal, a minor league Gold Glove winner, progressing through the system, the Cardinals have upper-level support if needed. This move carries low risk and could accelerate the development of their young catching talent.
Fan favorite Yohel Pozo, re-signed after being non-tendered, provides additional depth. While his future in St. Louis may be limited to a bench role, his clutch hitting and acceptance of this reality make him a valuable asset. The Cardinals also have a trio of highly touted catching prospects in Crooks, Bernal, and Rainiel Rodriguez, all ranked among the game’s top 100 prospects. Rodriguez, in particular, stands out with his powerful bat and potential to stick at catcher long-term.
With pitchers and catchers reporting to Spring Training soon, the focus will be on how this young catching corps handles the equally young pitching staff. Their development will be crucial in shaping the next era of Cardinals baseball. But the question remains: Are the Cardinals doing enough to address their catching depth, or are they risking stagnation by holding onto too many prospects? What do you think? Let’s hear your thoughts in the comments!
