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Is Bernal projected to be a really good defensive catcher? Like, everything from pitch blocking, to framing, to arm strength? I only ask, because I know little about him outside of what I see on Baseball Reference. But, i hear people speak like he is our most likely long-term solution and his minor league offensive numbers look good but nothing too special

An Old Friend wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:30 pm

hugeCardfan wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:15 pm Was kinda hoping he'd qualify for ROY campaign next year. So I hope they keep him in the minors until Sep.

It'd have to be some injuries and him crushing it at Memphis for him to get a callup in 2026, and they'd certainly do what they did with Winn to preserve his rookie eligibility.

I'm still on record thinking he's the opening day 2B in 2026.

I'm guessing you meant to post "2025" here, right?

Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

ramfandan wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:55 pm JJ spit time between SS and 2nd in Springfield.
Personally, I would like the majority of his games in Memphis at 2nf base as Winn has SS in the majors . 2nd seems his likely full time spot in majors so give him max reps there IMO.

I suggest giving JJ reps at 2B and at SS in Memphis and again in ST. I love good healthy competition. Let the cream rise to the top. Maybe we will end up with two MLB-caliber short stops. What a tragedy that would be? It might create a trade opportunity. You can always move him back to 2B, if it doesn't work out.

Cusecards wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:22 pm Position players as of today:
Young “keepers”- Donovan, Winn
Young “probable keepers”- Herrera, Burleson
Veteran “keeper”?- Contreras
Veteran “on the fence”- Arenado, Nootbaar
TBD- Gorman, Walker, Scott, Saggese, Pages, Pozo

Obviously some holes to fill after the keepers.
Excited about Wetherholt and the two Catchers(Crooks and Bernal) for 2026!
Getting there but nice if a couple emerge from the TBD list.
Still have some time to find out.

Donovan will be 29 next year...that's young?

Trade him. Nothing is left off the table to be traded

Bernal and Crooks have proved what?

TraveledLessRoad wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 16:34 pm Is Bernal projected to be a really good defensive catcher? Like, everything from pitch blocking, to framing, to arm strength? I only ask, because I know little about him outside of what I see on Baseball Reference. But, i hear people speak like he is our most likely long-term solution and his minor league offensive numbers look good but nothing too special

It was thought for a while before this year that his defense was definitely outpacing his hitting. Average defensive catcher at worst.

Melville wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:05 pm Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

And how about that Pages catching ERA? What happened?

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:07 pm

Cusecards wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:22 pm Position players as of today:
Young “keepers”- Donovan, Winn
Young “probable keepers”- Herrera, Burleson
Veteran “keeper”?- Contreras
Veteran “on the fence”- Arenado, Nootbaar
TBD- Gorman, Walker, Scott, Saggese, Pages, Pozo

Obviously some holes to fill after the keepers.
Excited about Wetherholt and the two Catchers(Crooks and Bernal) for 2026!
Getting there but nice if a couple emerge from the TBD list.
Still have some time to find out.

Donovan will be 29 next year...that's young?

Trade him. Nothing is left off the table to be traded

Bernal and Crooks have proved what?

I apologize!

Melville wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:05 pm Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

I know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:24 pm

Melville wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:05 pm Very interesting timing.
After the Cub series debacle.
STL in the midst of an offensive drought.
Trade deadline approaching.
Message sent to players on the 40 man roster.
Message received.

I know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

Would be about the dumbest possible reason to promote their best prospect... and absolutely wouldn't surprise me, partly for that reason

Strummer Jones wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:24 pmI know I'm probably hitting the cynical button too hard, but I did see Bernie post this as well, so maybe there's something to it.

I wonder if JJ's call-up isn't a little red meat to the sharks who are out after last weekend. Not to say the kid doesn't deserve it. He absolutely does. But why now? He's been spanking that league pretty much all year. I get that you can't do it after a week or two...but again, he's torched that league pretty much from day one.

I get it, but I don't think so. He has had around a .400 OBP all year, then he had a .500 OBP in June. Extremely SSS, but hes started off July hit as well, and smoked to HRs yesterday. I think it was time. But I was never on the promote now train. I liked that they let him really succeed for awhile and didn't rush to promote him. A lot of people were thinking July call up and we got it.

Yea, convenient timing for the organization, but I don't smell anything nefarious.

Great News...well earned. When asked about J.J. promotion the Cards' brass always maintained they were sticking to a script. I guess this follows the script. The Draft and Futures Game are a week away, and quite a few of you predicted he'd be promoted around now or in 7 days.

2 months left in the Minor League season....give them hell, J.J.

First Opponent...34yo Mike Clevinger, Charlotte... White Sox affiliate

hugeCardfan wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:15 pm Was kinda hoping he'd qualify for ROY campaign next year. So I hope they keep him in the minors until Sep.

They will. They aren't going to burn his time on a losing season.

Cusecards wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:21 pm

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:07 pm

Cusecards wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:22 pm Position players as of today:
Young “keepers”- Donovan, Winn
Young “probable keepers”- Herrera, Burleson
Veteran “keeper”?- Contreras
Veteran “on the fence”- Arenado, Nootbaar
TBD- Gorman, Walker, Scott, Saggese, Pages, Pozo

Obviously some holes to fill after the keepers.
Excited about Wetherholt and the two Catchers(Crooks and Bernal) for 2026!
Getting there but nice if a couple emerge from the TBD list.
Still have some time to find out.

Donovan will be 29 next year...that's young?

Trade him. Nothing is left off the table to be traded

Bernal and Crooks have proved what?

I apologize!

Not that big of a deal when it is all intertwined and dependent on other
factors. Donnie may bring back a good return, or he may not want to sign longer.
Gorman or Nootbaar could be dealt. At least one C could be dealt.

renostl wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 18:08 pm

Cusecards wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:21 pm

scoutyjones2 wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 17:07 pm

Cusecards wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:22 pm Position players as of today:
Young “keepers”- Donovan, Winn
Young “probable keepers”- Herrera, Burleson
Veteran “keeper”?- Contreras
Veteran “on the fence”- Arenado, Nootbaar
TBD- Gorman, Walker, Scott, Saggese, Pages, Pozo

Obviously some holes to fill after the keepers.
Excited about Wetherholt and the two Catchers(Crooks and Bernal) for 2026!
Getting there but nice if a couple emerge from the TBD list.
Still have some time to find out.

Donovan will be 29 next year...that's young?

Trade him. Nothing is left off the table to be traded

Bernal and Crooks have proved what?

I apologize!

Not that big of a deal when it is all intertwined and dependent on other
factors. Donnie may bring back a good return, or he may not want to sign longer.
Gorman or Nootbaar could be dealt. At least one C could be dealt.

Trade gorman while he has a pulse and another GM may think he has finally figured it out

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑07 Jul 2025 15:10 pm Dan Guerrero is reporting that JJ Wetherholt is getting called up to AAA.

Here's the story:

https://www.stltoday.com/sports/profess ... dc7e0.html

I like the move.