hugeCardfan wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 03:00 amNo one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
Nobody was hinting that Herrera was a bad defensive catcher when he was navigating the low minors either.
Not until the bone spurs which debilitated his throwing arm...
Rainiel, on the other hand, is described this way by Kyle Reis TCN's scout:
This is the last time that I’ll do this, so bear with me. Rainiel has been an impressive defensive catcher so far, but becoming a Major League caliber catcher is the hardest thing to do in all of baseball. I’m guessing that staying healthy as a pitcher is up there, but let’s not lose focus. Even as an advanced defensive catcher for his age, he’s still not close to being MLB ready at the position, and the vast amount of work that he’ll have to put in to get there is more than you or I could ever comprehend. Past experiences with other catchers show that his chances of fizzling out are far greater than his chances of sticking as a catcher. What matters is that he has an actual, real chance to stick at catcher, and that’s very very cool. Either way, his bat will carry him to some role in the majors as long as he doesn’t take steps backward, and that’s even cooler.
Right now, Rodriguez will be able to live off his plus arm and positive framing tendencies. I’ve heard his blocking ability described as below average, but I’m going to call it minor league average. It’s certainly a part of his game that needs work, but the real work will be in the rest of the demands of a catcher like staff and hitter awareness, and pitch calling and creativity. There’s a good deal of baseball I.Q. present with Rainiel, so that also lends itself to the belief that he’ll be able to stick at catcher.
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
Agreed and this year will tell on Rodriguez's viability at catcher. His bat will play.
I'd give him a 3B glove and check him out there also. Gorman and Sagesse aside, the spot is open going forward.
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
What makes you say this?
Why would you contest it?
Well I have seen Bernal play extensively. While I love his catching skills, athletic is not the word I would use for him. Rodriguez also seems short and squatty. Not quite who I think of when I hear "athletic".
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
What makes you say this?
Why would you contest it?
Well I have seen Bernal play extensively. While I love his catching skills, athletic is not the word I would use for him. Rodriguez also seems short and squatty. Not quite who I think of when I hear "athletic".
You are confusing athletic with athlete. Athletes are people who play sport/physical activities and is a noun. Bernal and Rodriguez both are considered extraordinary athletes and top 100 prospects in MLB. Their specific tools attend to the position they play and are very highly regarded.
Athletic is an adjective and means someone who has a certain physical build and/or skills not necessarily requisites for the catching position. Many athletic people never hone their skills to be good players.
I don't know how you can have watched Bernal "extensively" and not recognized what a gifted athlete he is.
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
What makes you say this?
Why would you contest it?
Well I have seen Bernal play extensively. While I love his catching skills, athletic is not the word I would use for him. Rodriguez also seems short and squatty. Not quite who I think of when I hear "athletic".
You are confusing athletic with athlete. Athletes are people who play sport/physical activities and is a noun. Bernal and Rodriguez both are considered extraordinary athletes and top 100 prospects in MLB. Their specific tools attend to the position they play and are very highly regarded.
Athletic is an adjective and means someone who has a certain physical build and/or skills not necessarily requisites for the catching position. Many athletic people never hone their skills to be good players.
I don't know how you can have watched Bernal "extensively" and not recognized what a gifted athlete he is.
Fair enough. Yes, agree they are great athletes, but maybe not physically "athletic". Just read your text wrong.
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
What makes you say this?
Why would you contest it?
Well I have seen Bernal play extensively. While I love his catching skills, athletic is not the word I would use for him. Rodriguez also seems short and squatty. Not quite who I think of when I hear "athletic".
You are confusing athletic with athlete. Athletes are people who play sport/physical activities and is a noun. Bernal and Rodriguez both are considered extraordinary athletes and top 100 prospects in MLB. Their specific tools attend to the position they play and are very highly regarded.
Athletic is an adjective and means someone who has a certain physical build and/or skills not necessarily requisites for the catching position. Many athletic people never hone their skills to be good players.
I don't know how you can have watched Bernal "extensively" and not recognized what a gifted athlete he is.
Fair enough. Yes, agree they are great athletes, but maybe not physically "athletic". Just read your text wrong.
Jobu's Rum wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 02:32 am
Yeah a lot of people forget about him and leave him out bc Rodriguez, but Bernal is the guy at C, switch hitter too, Rodriguez at DH.
Not so fast. As great as Bernal may be, Rainiel, may surpass him. Rod is 2 years younger than Bernal and a season behind him. He's already exhibiting more power than Bernal, although neither has reached the age to realize max power. Both appear to be extraordinary athletes. No one in the organization is hinting that Rainiel may not be an everyday catcher.
We will have the enviable task to figure out which one, Bernal or Rodriguez, gets the nod. Bernal has the chance to solidify his position but Rainiel is snapping at his heels. In the meantime we have a talented catcher in Crooks to trade over the next couple years.
What makes you say this?
Why would you contest it?
Well I have seen Bernal play extensively. While I love his catching skills, athletic is not the word I would use for him. Rodriguez also seems short and squatty. Not quite who I think of when I hear "athletic".
You are confusing athletic with athlete. Athletes are people who play sport/physical activities and is a noun. Bernal and Rodriguez both are considered extraordinary athletes and top 100 prospects in MLB. Their specific tools attend to the position they play and are very highly regarded.
Athletic is an adjective and means someone who has a certain physical build and/or skills not necessarily requisites for the catching position. Many athletic people never hone their skills to be good players.
I don't know how you can have watched Bernal "extensively" and not recognized what a gifted athlete he is.
Fair enough. Yes, agree they are great athletes, but maybe not physically "athletic". Just read your text wrong.
No problem. Thanks for the cordial exchange.
Hey, no problem guy. Just enjoy discussing Cardinals baseball.
