The St. Louis Cardinals are playing well, going 7-3 in their last 10 games, but there’s still room to improve—especially at the catcher position, which the front office should be monitoring closely.
Iván Herrera hasn’t found his rhythm at the plate yet, though he’s still making an impact. In 20 games, he’s hitting .200 but owns an impressive .387 on-base percentage, leading the National League with 18 walks. He’s added two home runs and 10 RBIs, and notably has more walks (18) than strikeouts (12), suggesting his offensive production could soon pick up.
Meanwhile, Pedro Pagés has posted a .211/.262/.342 slash line over 13 games with one homer and five RBIs, while Yohel Pozo has struggled even more, hitting just .133/.133/.200 in six appearances. Despite the team’s recent success, the offense particularly at catcher could benefit from an upgrade, and Jimmy Crooks may be the answer.
Crooks has been outstanding in Triple-A Memphis, consistently drawing attention for his performance. Through 15 games, he’s batting .291 with a .418 on-base percentage and a .636 slugging percentage, along with six home runs and 12 RBIs. He added to that total with two more homers in a recent game against Gwinnett, further strengthening his case for a promotion.
His production hasn’t gone unnoticed, as fans and analysts alike have been calling for his promotion throughout the season. Given his current form, now may be the ideal time for the Cardinals to see if his success can translate to the major leagues.
Ranked as the organization’s No. 8 prospect, Crooks is part of a deep pool of catching talent. Leo Bernal (No. 6 prospect) is also in Triple-A, while Rainiel Rodriguez (No. 3 prospect) is developing in High-A. With limited opportunities available behind the plate, the Cardinals will eventually face tough roster decisions.
Herrera is expected to remain part of the plan, but giving Crooks an opportunity now could provide valuable clarity before other prospects force their way into the conversation. With so much talent at the position, the Cardinals may ultimately need to make a move and promoting Crooks could help determine their path forward.
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