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I think Baez could play center, but right field would more suit him. Eventually I’d like to see Walker in left (kind of wonder how he’d adapt to the switch?) Scott in center, and Baez in right, with Church as the extra outfielder. Trade Noot sometime this year. Also send Saggesse down when Baez is ready.
I don’t know what happened to Walker over the past offseason. But I wouldn’t mess with any of it. VS II’s hitting is improving, and his defense in CF may be the best in the game. That leaves poor Josh Baez stuck in LF for awhile. Hope he survives it.
Seriously, we may be looking at the best Cardinals’ outfield we’ve ever seen in a year or two.
Alright, hoping this lead is safe, 11-0 now, and gonna hit the gym for a workout before the big weekend.
Oops, see I was on the wrong thread with those last few. Man, having a tough Friday on the postings! 🙃
I’m not concerned about Crooks yet. He really hasn’t had much time with Pages and Hererra also behind the dish.
Crooks doesn’t look like a potential first catcher to me. His AAA results suggest he should hit some, but his D and arm don’t seem to show well at the ML level. It is telling that Pages went in as a late inning defensive sub the other day, and he is yet to throw anyone out. I am not sure how much improvement can be expected there. My take on Bernal is he will be similar to Crooks D and arm wise, and he is so far not hitting in AAA as well as Crooks.
Next in line after Bernal is Raniel, so obviously some guys are going to have to clear out up above. If the org decides to stay with Herrera, and continue using him as a catcher and DH, then they will likely stay with two other catchers. Pages is in a good position because he is pretty good defensively and can throw some guys out. He is not really under development or a potential first catcher, so there is no issue with pine time. That leaves Crooks as the vulnerable one.
Really nice to have surplus of catchers Crooks, Bernal, Rodriguez, Campos, and now Rojas. I wonder how the excess will be handled. But at least there’s time to let them duke it out for position.
How much of this is Herrera, and how much is that he is catching McGreevy and Pallante? And why is it that when Pages, supposedly the best defensive catcher, is playing, they give up the most runs?
I am not a huge proponent of catcher ERA, but it is at least interesting to consider…
Cardinals pitcher ERA by catcher:
Ivan Herrera: 3.48
Pedro Pages: 4.53
Jimmy Crooks: 4.34Despite the trouble with throwing runners out, Herrera has still been excellent at preventing runs.
He also has a .437 OBP and an .847 OPS when he catches. pic.twitter.com/XqvAM2vusa
— Cardinals Stats And Facts (@STL_Stats_Facts) July 4, 2026
Brian I don’t mind Herrera catching 2 games a week. But we still need to sort thru for a primary catcher. Crooks has to show better in the second half to be considered.
Whether using statcast or DRS, Herrera has been worth -3 runs throwing wise but he has called good games. Those 3 runs are neglible compared to his offensive value. He hasn’t thrown out a runner but SB are more on the pitcher and even the best catchers allow the majority of runners to advance. Herrera does have a bad arm though but it just isn’t negative enough to offset the offensive gains he provides. I am not saying they should catch him every day, but I have no concerns with him catching a couple times a week.
I had noticed the same thing as the linked tweet from Brian. The guys Herrera is catching have been performing the best. He seems to call a good game and I am not left scratching me head. With Pages there have been a few times I was confused on the calls particularly when he ends up catching O’Brien.
I still would also give run way for Crooks as it is a building year. Scouts thought his arm was quite good and his receiving was good as well. Give him plenty of time to keep adjusting to the big league game and see what he has this year. Next year he will have a lot more competition between Bernal and by mid year I’m guessing Rainiel potentially as well.
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