POLL: Who catches more games for STL over the next 6 years?

[Basil Shabazz]

A. Herrera
B. Pages
C. Crooks
D. Pozo
E. Bernal
F. Rodriguez
G. Another player not mentioned

I am going with "E" Bernal. I believe he will arrive to stay in 2027 and will be a mainstay behind the plate, providing + defense and above-average offense. His switch-hitting will be nice to have as well.

[sikeston bulldog2]

A. Herrera
B. Pages
C. Crooks
D. Pozo
E. Bernal
F. Rodriguez
G. Another player not mentioned

I am going with "E" Bernal. I believe he will arrive to stay in 2027 and will be a mainstay behind the plate, providing + defense and above-average offense. His switch-hitting will be nice to have as well.

Well. A sooner or later won’t catch. B can hit for power. F will change positions.

That leaves me C D and E. Can I get a lifeline.

[Talkin' Baseball]

E

[rockondlouie]

With that 6 year time frame I'll go.........

Rodriguez who could be up here at age 21 (just like Yadi) if he's the stud he appears to be.

[Cranny]

E.

F moves to OF.

[Melville]

A. Herrera
B. Pages
C. Crooks
D. Pozo
E. Bernal
F. Rodriguez
G. Another player not mentioned

I am going with "E" Bernal. I believe he will arrive to stay in 2027 and will be a mainstay behind the plate, providing + defense and above-average offense. His switch-hitting will be nice to have as well.

Without knowing who Bloom will trade in the next 12-15 months, all we can do at the moment is consider existing facts.
Crooks, Pages, and Herrera are expected to be on the opening day roster - which would give each of them a "head start" in catching more games.
Herrera has been forced out of the starting catcher role twice previously by the pitching staff and therefore it is likely that will repeat a third time.
Pozo is a non-factor.
Pages and Crooks possess quality MLB defensive skills at the position right now - with Crooks being a LH hitter and expected to be the better bat between the two.
Bottom line - unless traded Crooks must be viewed at the candidate most likely to catch the most games in 2026 and 2027.
Leaving Bernal and Rodriguez with a lot of catching up to do in following years.

[C-Unit]

E

[HorseTrader]

A. Herrera
B. Pages
C. Crooks
D. Pozo
E. Bernal
F. Rodriguez
G. Another player not mentioned

I am going with "E" Bernal. I believe he will arrive to stay in 2027 and will be a mainstay behind the plate, providing + defense and above-average offense. His switch-hitting will be nice to have as well.

Over next 6 years tie, E and F. 2026 Herrera starts as catcher opening day, by mid May when everybody has stolen a base or two on him, Pages and Crooks do a time share for rest of season.

[rockondlouie]

A. Herrera
B. Pages
C. Crooks
D. Pozo
E. Bernal
F. Rodriguez
G. Another player not mentioned

I am going with "E" Bernal. I believe he will arrive to stay in 2027 and will be a mainstay behind the plate, providing + defense and above-average offense. His switch-hitting will be nice to have as well.

Over next 6 years tie, E and F. 2026 Herrera starts as catcher opening day, by mid May when everybody has stolen a base or two on him, Pages and Crooks do a time share for rest of season.

Bingo

(Unless Pages is included in a future deal involving Donny and/or JoJo or in one w/NADO).

[Cardinals4Life]

I'll go against the CT grain here and say A.) Herrera.
I predict Herrera will become the mainstay with both his nat and his defensive skills. I also think he will develop quickly into the team leader, a la Yadi.

Crooks and Bernal have bright futures, so perhaps Herrera moves just to make room, but I will stick with Herrera as my answer.

*I do have a little bias for Herrera for all the minor league games I've seen him play.

[ClassicO]

With that 6 year time frame I'll go.........

Rodriguez who could be up here at age 21 (just like Yadi) if he's the stud he appears to be.

I agree. It's Bernal or Raniel. Rodriguez reminds me of Pudge Rodriguez in stature (not arm, etc.). He's listed as an inch taller than Pudge, but both were muscular as heck.
I've seen Bernal up close and personal in Spring Training, and he's a moose. See him next to a very large man himself - Josh Baez.

Screenshot 2025-12-29 at 2.15.35 PM.png (251.99 KiB) Viewed 121 times

[rockondlouie]

With that 6 year time frame I'll go.........

Rodriguez who could be up here at age 21 (just like Yadi) if he's the stud he appears to be.

I agree. It's Bernal or Raniel. Rodriguez reminds me of Pudge Rodriguez in stature (not arm, etc.). He's listed as an inch taller than Pudge, but both were muscular as heck.
I've seen Bernal up close and personal in Spring Training, and he's a moose. See him next to a very large man himself - Josh Baez.


Screenshot 2025-12-29 at 2.15.35 PM.png

Me too CO!

That's exactly who I told my brother we've got in R.R., Baby Pudge.

He's still got a lot of time to improve behind the plate.

I know some think he's a position change candidate (and maybe he is) but that bat behind the plate would be soooooo special if he stays there.

And your right, Bernal is likely "the guy" in 2027 unless he takes a step back this coming season.

[craviduce]

Once Bernal gets to the Majors, I think he'll take control of the catching duties. 5 games a week, 1 game off. Conversely, I think Crooks plays 2 games a week behind the plate this season, with Pages taking 3 or 4 games...and Crooks' time behind the plate will be in jeopardy after next season, whether it's a trade or new position.

So...over the next 6 years? Bernal will have the most.

I throw in this caveat....If Crooks can somehow start hitting Major League pitching, it could be a lot different outcome. But for now, I'll stick superb defense/arm and framing from Bernal.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

So hard to predict. Which guys will hit enough to get playing time and which ones will fail defensively to get that job.

E is a pretty good guess as I think he is the best defensive catcher of the bunch.

[Carp4Cy]

E.

F moves to OF.

Why can't RaRod stay at C? He's short enough. CS is 31% which is about MLB average. Fldg % is .985, which is a lot better than Gormans. Not sure how it ranks for C.

[Talkin' Baseball]

E.

F moves to OF.

Why can't RaRod stay at C? He's short enough. CS is 31% which is about MLB average. Fldg % is .985, which is a lot better than Gormans. Not sure how it ranks for C.

Bernal won the GG for catchers of all minor league systems at all levels this season- so there is that.