Future of Catcher position.

[Ace07]

It's apparent Herrera won't be a solution playing C daily. Pages is doing fine as a stopgap, but he's not a permanent solution. Rainiel Rodriguez is a 18 year old wild card at this point, who knows if he sticks at C and will likely be years before we may see him with big league club.

That leaves us Jimmy Crooks and Leo Bernal for future C.

Crooks is just 23 years old playing at AAA. He's holding his own with a .701 OPS, but not lighting the world on fire. He hit .321 last year in Springfield, so feels there could be more talent in that bat than he's shown this year.

Bernal is a very young catcher in AA, 21 years old. After falling off and hitting just .188, he's on a hot streak offensively. Hitting 15-41 (.366 BA) 4 home runs, 3 2Bs and even 2 stolen bases in his last 11 games. He's now hitting .257 with a .835 OPS which are very solid numbers for a 21 year old backstop in AA.

I don't know much about their defense. How is their framing/blocking, throwing out runners, etc? Are both capable of being future major league catchers? It appears Bernal is the frontrunner for catcher of the future, but a Bernal/Crooks combo sounds pretty appealing. Bernal a switch hitter and Crooks a lefty.

[Jatalk]

I will probably eat my words but I’m not really focused on changes at catcher. If the young guys develop great. Traded that’s fine. When it comes to catcher I want good defense and the ability to make the pitching better(framing, pitch call, etc.). The bat is secondary to me. I’m not displeased with what we got is what I’m trying to say.

[Melville]

It's apparent Herrera won't be a solution playing C daily. Pages is doing fine as a stopgap, but he's not a permanent solution. Rainiel Rodriguez is a 18 year old wild card at this point, who knows if he sticks at C and will likely be years before we may see him with big league club.

That leaves us Jimmy Crooks and Leo Bernal for future C.

Crooks is just 23 years old playing at AAA. He's holding his own with a .701 OPS, but not lighting the world on fire. He hit .321 last year in Springfield, so feels there could be more talent in that bat than he's shown this year.

Bernal is a very young catcher in AA, 21 years old. After falling off and hitting just .188, he's on a hot streak offensively. Hitting 15-41 (.366 BA) 4 home runs, 3 2Bs and even 2 stolen bases in his last 11 games. He's now hitting .257 with a .835 OPS which are very solid numbers for a 21 year old backstop in AA.

I don't know much about their defense. How is their framing/blocking, throwing out runners, etc? Are both capable of being future major league catchers? It appears Bernal is the frontrunner for catcher of the future, but a Bernal/Crooks combo sounds pretty appealing. Bernal a switch hitter and Crooks a lefty.

It is very straightforward at this point.
Pages - exactly as I predicted - has seized the starting job.
The pitching staff and the coaches trust him.
He is the starter and will remain so, until someone such as Crooks or Bernal is able to take it away from him.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I don't know much about their defense. How is their framing/blocking, throwing out runners, etc? Are both capable of being future major league catchers? It appears Bernal is the frontrunner for catcher of the future, but a Bernal/Crooks combo sounds pretty appealing. Bernal a switch hitter and Crooks a lefty.

I think Crooks is an all around good defensive catcher. I think he's a solid major league backup at worst. Maybe platoon against RHP. Was hopeful on his offense with how he played last year, but he's been a bit slower so far this year in Memphis. Still, I think there's reason to be positive on the future for him.

Bernal is the guy I'm high on, so he'll probably fail. He struggled offensively last year at the beginning of the year too, if I remember right, and turned it around. So I'm happy to see him turning it on now, but it is Springfield, so lots of players hit there. Not as well rounded as Crooks defensively, but I think still projects to be pretty good defensively. Also, has a cannon for an arm, so that helps. Very young still for his league, so lots of potential there.

I'd agree with you, provided both remain in the organization, Bernal is the guy for the future, with Crooks in some sort of combo/platoon/backup role. But that's just my opinion. I don't watch all the games like others here. I make it to a couple of Peoria and Springfield games a year depending on my work schedule.

As for Rodriguez.... very exciting young bat. Not gonna remain at catcher based on everything I've read.

[Baseball Savant]

Bernal is future C

Crooks is a great trade piece at deadline

[imetsatchelpaige]

We are as deep at that position as I have seen in 60 years. That’s the one position I just don’t worry about.

We have two solid MLB catchers in Pozo and pages. We have a decent third string Catcher, who also happens to be our DH it has an OPS of over 1000. We also have what you could call a fourth string catcher at first base.

Finally, we have serious talent in the minors. At some point, someone will get packaged with somebody for a major return, but right now it’s just a marvelous embarrassment of riches.

[moose-and-squirrel]

We are as deep at that position as I have seen in 60 years. That’s the one position I just don’t worry about.

We have two solid MLB catchers in Pozo and pages. We have a decent third string Catcher, who also happens to be our DH it has an OPS of over 1000. We also have what you could call a fourth string catcher at first base.

Finally, we have serious talent in the minors. At some point, someone will get packaged with somebody for a major return, but right now it’s just a marvelous embarrassment of riches.

Contreras is a MUCH better catcher than Ivan. prolly better than the 2 that are doing it daily

[Futuregm2]

We are as deep at that position as I have seen in 60 years. That’s the one position I just don’t worry about.

We have two solid MLB catchers in Pozo and pages. We have a decent third string Catcher, who also happens to be our DH it has an OPS of over 1000. We also have what you could call a fourth string catcher at first base.

Finally, we have serious talent in the minors. At some point, someone will get packaged with somebody for a major return, but right now it’s just a marvelous embarrassment of riches.

Agreed, big +1

[ramfandan]

‘Framing’ ability won’ be as important as before due to ABS coming in 2026.
Guys who could frame well on 3-2 count fooling the ump on a ball 4 pitch to steal a SO will now have that pitch challenged for ball 4 and
A walk

[Ozziesfan41]

We are as deep at that position as I have seen in 60 years. That’s the one position I just don’t worry about.

We have two solid MLB catchers in Pozo and pages. We have a decent third string Catcher, who also happens to be our DH it has an OPS of over 1000. We also have what you could call a fourth string catcher at first base.

Finally, we have serious talent in the minors. At some point, someone will get packaged with somebody for a major return, but right now it’s just a marvelous embarrassment of riches.

It’s funny at one point the question was who will replace yadi as the cardinals future catcher because they didn’t have a good replacement now the same question is being asked but now it’s asked because there are so many candidates

[Futuregm2]

We are as deep at that position as I have seen in 60 years. That’s the one position I just don’t worry about.

We have two solid MLB catchers in Pozo and pages. We have a decent third string Catcher, who also happens to be our DH it has an OPS of over 1000. We also have what you could call a fourth string catcher at first base.

Finally, we have serious talent in the minors. At some point, someone will get packaged with somebody for a major return, but right now it’s just a marvelous embarrassment of riches.

It’s funny at one point the question was who will replace yadi is the cardinals future catcher because they didn’t have a good replacement now the same question is being asked but now it’s asked because there are so many candidates

Yep lol Fortunately I don’t think the answer will be made until at least next year, so it won’t be Mo making the call!

[Talkin' Baseball]

Much sorting out to do. Here is how I think it shakes out: Pages and Pozo are a very serviceable combo and cost very little. They will be the primary catchers this year and next. This will be re-considered when they become more expensive. Herrera will be re-positioned as well as Rodriguez to maximize their bats and minimize injury risk. Since Crooks is in AAA and probably ready for an MLB shot next year, he should be traded. Trade him before you call him up while other teams are still hoping for what they think he could be. Bernal will spend this year at AA, next year at AAA, and be ready for a call-up after that. Bernal is the catcher of the future. Things are always changing, and all of this will change somewhat too, but that's how I see it today.

[Ace07]

I don't know much about their defense. How is their framing/blocking, throwing out runners, etc? Are both capable of being future major league catchers? It appears Bernal is the frontrunner for catcher of the future, but a Bernal/Crooks combo sounds pretty appealing. Bernal a switch hitter and Crooks a lefty.

I think Crooks is an all around good defensive catcher. I think he's a solid major league backup at worst. Maybe platoon against RHP. Was hopeful on his offense with how he played last year, but he's been a bit slower so far this year in Memphis. Still, I think there's reason to be positive on the future for him.

Bernal is the guy I'm high on, so he'll probably fail. He struggled offensively last year at the beginning of the year too, if I remember right, and turned it around. So I'm happy to see him turning it on now, but it is Springfield, so lots of players hit there. Not as well rounded as Crooks defensively, but I think still projects to be pretty good defensively. Also, has a cannon for an arm, so that helps. Very young still for his league, so lots of potential there.

I'd agree with you, provided both remain in the organization, Bernal is the guy for the future, with Crooks in some sort of combo/platoon/backup role. But that's just my opinion. I don't watch all the games like others here. I make it to a couple of Peoria and Springfield games a year depending on my work schedule.

As for Rodriguez.... very exciting young bat. Not gonna remain at catcher based on everything I've read.

Appreciate your insight! Summarizes what I've read well. Very good arm for Bernal and hopefully room to grow defensively.

[Ace07]

We are as deep at that position as I have seen in 60 years. That’s the one position I just don’t worry about.

We have two solid MLB catchers in Pozo and pages. We have a decent third string Catcher, who also happens to be our DH it has an OPS of over 1000. We also have what you could call a fourth string catcher at first base.

Finally, we have serious talent in the minors. At some point, someone will get packaged with somebody for a major return, but right now it’s just a marvelous embarrassment of riches.

A "marvelous embarrassment of riches" is sure an interesting take. Pages, a 28 year old Pozo and two unproven prospects (neither hitting .260 in the minors) is an "embarrassment of riches? Wish I was this optimistic.

[Stlcardsblues]

Bernal is future C

Crooks is a great trade piece at deadline

Why would they trade Crooks at the trade deadline? We will be sellers, how does trading Crooks fit that?

He very well maybe traded to fill a different area of need, but how does Mo flipping him at the deadline over Bloom doing it over the winter make sense?

[JDW]

Bernal is future C

Crooks is a great trade piece at deadline

Why would they trade Crooks at the trade deadline? We will be sellers, how does trading Crooks fit that?

He very well maybe traded to fill a different area of need, but how does Mo flipping him at the deadline over Bloom doing it over the winter make sense?

If the Cards are still in the hunt before the deadline, they could also be doing some buying, and it's possible trading Crooks could net you a good BP arm as an example.
I don't know enough about Crooks to have a strong opinion, and while this thread is very positive, nobody knows yet how Crooks and Bernal will progress or how they will actually perform at the show. The chickens haven't hatched yet. Optimistic, sure, but they are still just prospects.