With a 19-19 record, the St. Louis Cardinals are outperforming the expectations of many fans who anticipated a rebuilding season for the team from The Mound City. However, the journey hasn’t been entirely smooth.
First baseman has had trouble finding his rhythm, and the team is once again sending him down to Triple-A Memphis, as reported by the team’s website and initially by Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat.
Now in his third season with time at the major league level and his seventh year within the Cardinals organization, Luken Baker continues to face challenges in establishing himself in the big leagues. Drafted by St. Louis in the second round of the 2018 MLB Draft out of Texas Christian University, Baker has yet to translate his minor league success to consistent major league production.
In 2025, his struggles have persisted. Through 33 at-bats, he’s posted a .212/.350/.273 slash line, recording only two extra-base hits and two RBIs.
The window for Baker to prove he belongs in the majors appears to be narrowing. While he’s shown plenty of power at Triple-A—amassing 86 home runs and an .879 OPS over 319 games—those numbers haven’t carried over to the highest level. In 73 big league games, he’s managed just four home runs and a .655 OPS.
To fill the roster spot left by Baker, St. Louis is expected to activate Iván Herrera when they return to action Friday in Washington, D.C., against the Nationals.
Herrera has been sidelined since April 7 due to left knee inflammation, according to the team. If activated as anticipated, the Cardinals would be carrying three catchers on their active roster, with Herrera joining Pedro Pagés and Yohel Pozo.
Before his injury, Herrera was off to a scorching start, hitting .381 and making franchise history by becoming the first Cardinals catcher to hit three home runs in a single game.
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