The St. Louis Cardinals have a decision to make behind the plate.
This past spring, Catcher was one of the biggest storylines for the St. Louis Cardinals entering the spring.
Iván Herrera was working his way back from injury with hopes of reclaiming his role behind the plate, while Pedro Pagés had positioned himself as a reliable depth option after seeing plenty of action the previous season. Top prospect Jimmy Crooks also entered the picture after making a brief major league appearance last year, although he ranked behind fellow catching prospects Rainiel Rodriguez and Leo Bernal in the organization’s pipeline.
With Herrera, Pagés, and three highly regarded catching prospects in the system, it seemed likely the Cardinals would eventually give Crooks an extended opportunity to prove himself. The club initially assigned him to Triple-A while Herrera, Pagés, and Yohel Pozo occupied spots on the major league roster. After producing strong results in the minors, Crooks earned a promotion, but his offensive struggles have continued in the majors.
Through 34 games, the 24-year-old is batting .171/.261/.317 with a .578 OPS, three home runs, and nine RBIs. As the trade deadline approaches, his future with the organization has become increasingly uncertain. According to The Athletic‘s Ken Rosenthal, Will Sammon, and Katie Woo, the Cardinals appear to be the most willing to part with Crooks among their group of catchers if they decide to make a move.
It’s Going To Be An Eventful Few Days
“The Cardinals, though, are exceptionally high on [Iván Herrera] bat, and don’t feel particularly inclined to move him, those executives say,” Rosenthal, Woo and Sammon wrote. “The Cardinals are also high on [Pedro Pagés] as a backup, citing his preparedness, game-planning and strong relationship with pitchers. Thus, the catcher the Cardinals would be most open to moving is Crooks, a 25-year-old left-handed hitter who won’t be eligible for arbitration until 2029.”
The St. Louis Cardinals’ impressive catching depth is creating a roster crunch that could force the organization into a difficult decision in the near future.
At the major league level, Iván Herrera, Jimmy Crooks, and Pedro Pagés are currently sharing catching duties, while top prospect Leo Bernal continues to impress at Triple-A and appears close to earning his first big league opportunity. Bernal has enjoyed a strong season, batting .275/.359/.477 with an .836 OPS, 13 home runs, and 62 RBIs across 80 games. If the Cardinals decide to move Crooks, Bernal would be the obvious candidate to step into his role.
Despite Crooks’ offensive struggles since reaching the majors, his long-term value remains appealing. The 25-year-old is under team control through the 2031 season and has appeared in only 49 major league games, leaving plenty of room for development. That combination of youth, team control, and untapped potential would likely make him an attractive trade target for clubs seeking catching help.
Trade speculation has already linked the Cardinals to several potential moves in recent weeks, with pitchers Dustin May and Ryne Stanek frequently mentioned. As the trade deadline draws closer, Crooks is emerging as another name worth watching.
