My hope with Herrera at catcher.

[Carp4Cy]

My hope is they realize he belongs at LF, DH, or 1B.

Can he even play LF or 1B?

Or can he at least hit like Yonder at DH?

[Melville]

My hope is they realize he belongs at LF, DH, or 1B.

They know that.

[Cardinals4Life]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

You respect an organization for attempting to force fit a player into a role for which he is not suitable?
I give to respect organizations and leaders who are truthful with associates and set them up for success rather than failure.

The narrative about Herrera not being a good C is ridiculous and is fueled by many on here who have never even seen him catch a lot. They act like the guy can't receive a ball or throw the ball more than 20 feet.

I'll bet that Herrera not only starts the year as our C, but is an All-Star come July.

And if Liberatore wins 20 games and Gorman hits 40 home runs, this team will be right in there for the division

Nobody said that. This was about Herrera.

[Cardinals4Life]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

You respect an organization for attempting to force fit a player into a role for which he is not suitable?
I give to respect organizations and leaders who are truthful with associates and set them up for success rather than failure.

The narrative about Herrera not being a good C is ridiculous and is fueled by many on here who have never even seen him catch a lot. They act like the guy can't receive a ball or throw the ball more than 20 feet.

I'll bet that Herrera not only starts the year as our C, but is an All-Star come July.

Fact: in 2024 and 2025 Herrera was forced out of the starting role by the coaches and pitching staff due to his poor defensive skill set.
Herrera not being a good C is not a narrative.
It is an established fact.
The facts may change - though after 9 years as a professional catcher, it is incredibly unlikely.

He was injured and was kept out to protect his health and keep his bat in the lineup. That is the fact.

[Clubmaker2]

His minor league throwing out runners numbers werent much different than other cardinals catchers. Maybe there is a tiny bit of merit in his elbow surgery. However, as best hitter, he needs to dh or george foster it in Left field.

[OldRed]

My hope is they realize he belongs at LF, DH, or 1B.

This I agree with. I really didn't think he was all that bad in LF.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

Herrera probably catches more negativity for his defense than he deserves.
I could see him being average with more experience.
However:
*They desperately need his bat in the lineup.
*The system has multiple catching prospects on the way.
*Has struggled to stay healthy.

I still think he gets moved.
Just my opinion.

I think so too. I don't think he was ever going to be great, but I don't think he's that bad. Yea, he couldn't throw anyone out, but he was hurt the entire season. If he wants to dedicate himself to being able to stick behind the plate, which is apparently his idea, I'm glad they're letting him try. William Contreras was a bad catcher for several years with Atlanta, then when he was traded to Milwaukee he became very good.

Another concern I have is that he has gotten banged up back there, so it would be nice to see if he can stay healthy. If not, that's a reason to move him.

[sikeston bulldog2]

Herrera probably catches more negativity for his defense than he deserves.
I could see him being average with more experience.
However:
*They desperately need his bat in the lineup.
*The system has multiple catching prospects on the way.
*Has struggled to stay healthy.

I still think he gets moved.
Just my opinion.

I think so too. I don't think he was ever going to be great, but I don't think he's that bad. Yea, he couldn't throw anyone out, but he was hurt the entire season. If he wants to dedicate himself to being able to stick behind the plate, which is apparently his idea, I'm glad they're letting him try. William Contreras was a bad catcher for several years with Atlanta, then when he was traded to Milwaukee he became very good.

Another concern I have is that he has gotten banged up back there, so it would be nice to see if he can stay healthy. If not, that's a reason to move him.

As a hitter, any ankle biter injuries get old. Chronic it seems. Crouched behind the plate recieving every thrown pitch, would seem like a ripe environment for such ails.

[rockondlouie]

With Bernal getting close and R.R. speeding towards MLB it seems a bit foolish to waste spring training w/I. Hererra working behind the plate instead of giving him a 1st baseman's mitt and teaching him a new position.

I get it though.

With his bat he'd be an all-star caliber catcher behind the plate IF he could throw out 25% of the runners, block & frame well and call a great game.................not sure he can do even one of those at even league average though (especially throwing out runners, no way).

His slot may just end up being F-T DH and possibly P-T 1st Baseman (and that's not even a guarantee if he can't handle himself around the bag and corral ground balls).

(And forget the OF. I was the one in CT who suggested he switch to the OF over two years ago. Worth a shot but he looked like a fish out of water out there so I don't see that being in his future)

[scoutyjones2]

My hope is they realize he belongs at LF, DH, or 1B.

This I agree with. I really didn't think he was all that bad in LF.

He played all of 4 games in LF.

His Caught Stealing % was 0...let me say that again, ZERO! 15 easy stolen bases

[CCard]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

Herrera is a perfect candidate for DH. I'm afraid his hands of stone make him unfit for catching. Too many boxed pitches. He does seem to have ample power at the plate though. I could see him hitting 25-30 homeruns. One caveat, can he stay on the field. The Cards seem to have a problem with keeping players on the field. Maybe all teams are that way and it's just confirmation bias.

[scoutyjones2]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

You respect an organization for attempting to force fit a player into a role for which he is not suitable?
I give to respect organizations and leaders who are truthful with associates and set them up for success rather than failure.

Mike Piazza.
Jorge Posada
Both won pennants while never sniffing a gold glove. C doesn't have to be glove first for team success.

Posada threw out 28% and Piazza 23% for their careers. Herrera threw out 0 last year

[Talkin' Baseball]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

You respect an organization for attempting to force fit a player into a role for which he is not suitable?
I give to respect organizations and leaders who are truthful with associates and set them up for success rather than failure.

Mike Piazza.
Jorge Posada
Both won pennants while never sniffing a gold glove. C doesn't have to be glove first for team success.

Posada threw out 28% and Piazza 23% for their careers. Herrera threw out 0 last year

You could possibly live with bad, in return for the bat, but zero can't be the number right?

[sikeston bulldog2]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

You respect an organization for attempting to force fit a player into a role for which he is not suitable?
I give to respect organizations and leaders who are truthful with associates and set them up for success rather than failure.

Mike Piazza.
Jorge Posada
Both won pennants while never sniffing a gold glove. C doesn't have to be glove first for team success.

Posada threw out 28% and Piazza 23% for their careers. Herrera threw out 0 last year

You could possibly live with bad, in return for the bat, but zero can't be the number right?

We have all coached. We all have a sharp eye for baseball. That combined with stats says - zero is a no go.

[scoutyjones2]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

You respect an organization for attempting to force fit a player into a role for which he is not suitable?
I give to respect organizations and leaders who are truthful with associates and set them up for success rather than failure.

Mike Piazza.
Jorge Posada
Both won pennants while never sniffing a gold glove. C doesn't have to be glove first for team success.

Posada threw out 28% and Piazza 23% for their careers. Herrera threw out 0 last year

You could possibly live with bad, in return for the bat, but zero can't be the number right?

of course...if Ivan was Piazza or Posada-eque, and throws out 20%...you can live with it.

he's neither

[Carp4Cy]

So for the last few years:
1. 2023: Woodford is the 6th starter! Crashes.
2. 2023: Willson knows the pitchers! Maybe not…
3. 2024: Scott is ready! Nope.
4. 2024: Thompson is our 6th starter! Nope.

With Herrera, I respect he wants to catch. And, I respect the cards org for giving him the opportunity.

But, I’m hoping the Cards’ talent eval will be able to QUICKLY evaluate his readiness before the season begins.

The way the Herrera thing goes, I think will give us insight to the talent evaluation in the system.

Good luck, Herrera.

Herrera is a perfect candidate for DH. I'm afraid his hands of stone make him unfit for catching. Too many boxed pitches. He does seem to have ample power at the plate though. I could see him hitting 25-30 homeruns. One caveat, can he stay on the field. The Cards seem to have a problem with keeping players on the field. Maybe all teams are that way and it's just confirmation bias.

33 players hit 30+ HRs last year. Those are real hitters that didn't have too many problems staying on the field. They do exist.