Bernal chosen as Cardinal breakout hitting prospect in 2026

[ramfandan]

Baseball America selected one breakout hitting prospect from each of the 30 teams to have a breakout year in 2026.
For St. Louis, the respected baseball site chose C Leonardo Bernal

BA cited the following :

Catcher is one of the deeper spots in the Cardinals’ system, with three making their top 10 for 2026. Bernal was the third of those three, slotting in at ninth after a solid, but not spectacular year with Double-A Springfield in which he hit .247/.332/.394 across 455 plate appearances.

Even though Bernal’s surface stats don’t stand out, his underlying data was impressive pretty much across the board. His contact rate was a respectable 78%, and he was even better on pitches in the zone, whiffing only 17% of the time on them. His exit velocities were also impressive for a 21-year-old. His 90th percentile exit velocity was 104.4 mph and his max was 112.1 mph, indicating he could have more power than he showed in 2025.

[CNYFan]

Bernal can hit. He had a strong first half in 2025 then slumped badly, then picked it back up at the end.

I suspect that he will need time to adjust level by level, but Leo is a man.

I have not seen much of R. Rodriguez but I think Leo is going to be a really good major league catcher.

[BleedingBleu]

Baseball America selected one breakout hitting prospect from each of the 30 teams to have a breakout year in 2026.
For St. Louis, the respected baseball site chose C Leonardo Bernal

BA cited the following :

Catcher is one of the deeper spots in the Cardinals’ system, with three making their top 10 for 2026. Bernal was the third of those three, slotting in at ninth after a solid, but not spectacular year with Double-A Springfield in which he hit .247/.332/.394 across 455 plate appearances.

Even though Bernal’s surface stats don’t stand out, his underlying data was impressive pretty much across the board. His contact rate was a respectable 78%, and he was even better on pitches in the zone, whiffing only 17% of the time on them. His exit velocities were also impressive for a 21-year-old. His 90th percentile exit velocity was 104.4 mph and his max was 112.1 mph, indicating he could have more power than he showed in 2025.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

I assume Bernal (22) starts 2026 at AA Full-time, then makes the move to AAA while Crooks (24) plays shuttle runner for the inevitable Herrera (25) stint on the 15 Day IL. Rainiel Rodriguez (19) will likely start in A+ and shift to AA accordingly w/Bernal’s (hopeful) promotion to AAA.

My guess is the 2026 plan is to roll with 2 Catchers (Herrera, Pages-27, AAA-Crooks) on the 26-Man to start the season, then potentially expand to 3 as it heats up?

While he’s not a particularly good fielder, I’d prefer Herrera play almost any other position. However, they appear hellbent on him squatting behind the plate in ‘26.

[Hoosier59]

I don’t necessarily think the Cardinals are adamant about Herrera being the starting catcher. What they are adamant about is giving him every opportunity to show them and Himself that he can or cannot do it. Just flat out telling him that he isn’t going to be the catcher, when he wants to be really bad, would be the wrong way to handle things. Let him come into camp and prove himself one way or the other. According to Oli, Iván is putting in a lot work trying to improve himself, so I feel he deserves another look. The only promise that I see hes been given, is the opportunity to! That can’t hurt a thing.

[sikeston bulldog2]

I don’t necessarily think the Cardinals are adamant about Herrera being the starting catcher. What they are adamant about is giving him every opportunity to show them and Himself that he can or cannot do it. Just flat out telling him that he isn’t going to be the catcher, when he wants to be really bad, would be the wrong way to handle things. Let him come into camp and prove himself one way or the other. According to Oli, Iván is putting in a lot work trying to improve himself, so I feel he deserves another look. The only promise that I see hes been given, is the opportunity to! That can’t hurt a thing.

Morning. Nice write. I have to other views- one, we need him to hit for power, but I fear catching in the heat will sap his leg strength just enough. Two, we need a hitting left fielder. Doesn’t have to be a defensive specialist.

I think this move preserves him and lesses the chance of injury.

[Ronnie Dobbs]

I don’t necessarily think the Cardinals are adamant about Herrera being the starting catcher. What they are adamant about is giving him every opportunity to show them and Himself that he can or cannot do it. Just flat out telling him that he isn’t going to be the catcher, when he wants to be really bad, would be the wrong way to handle things. Let him come into camp and prove himself one way or the other. According to Oli, Iván is putting in a lot work trying to improve himself, so I feel he deserves another look. The only promise that I see hes been given, is the opportunity to! That can’t hurt a thing.

That was basically my impression of what they said at the end of the year as well. Seems like it is coming from Herrera himself wanting to prove that he can. And I hope he does.

[Ozziesfan41]

I don’t necessarily think the Cardinals are adamant about Herrera being the starting catcher. What they are adamant about is giving him every opportunity to show them and Himself that he can or cannot do it. Just flat out telling him that he isn’t going to be the catcher, when he wants to be really bad, would be the wrong way to handle things. Let him come into camp and prove himself one way or the other. According to Oli, Iván is putting in a lot work trying to improve himself, so I feel he deserves another look. The only promise that I see hes been given, is the opportunity to! That can’t hurt a thing.

+1 agree completely

[Cardinals4Life]

Baseball America selected one breakout hitting prospect from each of the 30 teams to have a breakout year in 2026.
For St. Louis, the respected baseball site chose C Leonardo Bernal

BA cited the following :

Catcher is one of the deeper spots in the Cardinals’ system, with three making their top 10 for 2026. Bernal was the third of those three, slotting in at ninth after a solid, but not spectacular year with Double-A Springfield in which he hit .247/.332/.394 across 455 plate appearances.

Even though Bernal’s surface stats don’t stand out, his underlying data was impressive pretty much across the board. His contact rate was a respectable 78%, and he was even better on pitches in the zone, whiffing only 17% of the time on them. His exit velocities were also impressive for a 21-year-old. His 90th percentile exit velocity was 104.4 mph and his max was 112.1 mph, indicating he could have more power than he showed in 2025.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

I assume Bernal (22) starts 2026 at AA Full-time, then makes the move to AAA while Crooks (24) plays shuttle runner for the inevitable Herrera (25) stint on the 15 Day IL. Rainiel Rodriguez (19) will likely start in A+ and shift to AA accordingly w/Bernal’s (hopeful) promotion to AAA.

My guess is the 2026 plan is to roll with 2 Catchers (Herrera, Pages-27, AAA-Crooks) on the 26-Man to start the season, then potentially expand to 3 as it heats up?

While he’s not a particularly good fielder, I’d prefer Herrera play almost any other position. However, they appear hellbent on him squatting behind the plate in ‘26.

I think Crooks will be in STL with Herrera. I think Pages gets traded. I think Memphis will have Bernal and Pozo.

[rockondlouie]

I'll defer to duce...................

[BleedingBleu]

Baseball America selected one breakout hitting prospect from each of the 30 teams to have a breakout year in 2026.
For St. Louis, the respected baseball site chose C Leonardo Bernal

BA cited the following :

Catcher is one of the deeper spots in the Cardinals’ system, with three making their top 10 for 2026. Bernal was the third of those three, slotting in at ninth after a solid, but not spectacular year with Double-A Springfield in which he hit .247/.332/.394 across 455 plate appearances.

Even though Bernal’s surface stats don’t stand out, his underlying data was impressive pretty much across the board. His contact rate was a respectable 78%, and he was even better on pitches in the zone, whiffing only 17% of the time on them. His exit velocities were also impressive for a 21-year-old. His 90th percentile exit velocity was 104.4 mph and his max was 112.1 mph, indicating he could have more power than he showed in 2025.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

I assume Bernal (22) starts 2026 at AA Full-time, then makes the move to AAA while Crooks (24) plays shuttle runner for the inevitable Herrera (25) stint on the 15 Day IL. Rainiel Rodriguez (19) will likely start in A+ and shift to AA accordingly w/Bernal’s (hopeful) promotion to AAA.

My guess is the 2026 plan is to roll with 2 Catchers (Herrera, Pages-27, AAA-Crooks) on the 26-Man to start the season, then potentially expand to 3 as it heats up?

While he’s not a particularly good fielder, I’d prefer Herrera play almost any other position. However, they appear hellbent on him squatting behind the plate in ‘26.

I think Crooks will be in STL with Herrera. I think Pages gets traded. I think Memphis will have Bernal and Pozo.

Thanks. I recalled Yohel Pozo getting non-tendered and for some reason thought he was gone. I totally missed where they re-signed him

[ScotchMIrish]

Good news. What is his defense like?

[Talkin' Baseball]

Good news. What is his defense like?

They only give out one Gold Glove for each position for all levels of the minor leagues. For catchers, Bernal was it.

[ScotchMIrish]

Good news. What is his defense like?

They only give out one Gold Glove for each position for all levels of the minor leagues. For catchers, Bernal was it.

Great news.

[Cardinals4Life]

Baseball America selected one breakout hitting prospect from each of the 30 teams to have a breakout year in 2026.
For St. Louis, the respected baseball site chose C Leonardo Bernal

BA cited the following :

Catcher is one of the deeper spots in the Cardinals’ system, with three making their top 10 for 2026. Bernal was the third of those three, slotting in at ninth after a solid, but not spectacular year with Double-A Springfield in which he hit .247/.332/.394 across 455 plate appearances.

Even though Bernal’s surface stats don’t stand out, his underlying data was impressive pretty much across the board. His contact rate was a respectable 78%, and he was even better on pitches in the zone, whiffing only 17% of the time on them. His exit velocities were also impressive for a 21-year-old. His 90th percentile exit velocity was 104.4 mph and his max was 112.1 mph, indicating he could have more power than he showed in 2025.

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 55

I assume Bernal (22) starts 2026 at AA Full-time, then makes the move to AAA while Crooks (24) plays shuttle runner for the inevitable Herrera (25) stint on the 15 Day IL. Rainiel Rodriguez (19) will likely start in A+ and shift to AA accordingly w/Bernal’s (hopeful) promotion to AAA.

My guess is the 2026 plan is to roll with 2 Catchers (Herrera, Pages-27, AAA-Crooks) on the 26-Man to start the season, then potentially expand to 3 as it heats up?

While he’s not a particularly good fielder, I’d prefer Herrera play almost any other position. However, they appear hellbent on him squatting behind the plate in ‘26.

I think Crooks will be in STL with Herrera. I think Pages gets traded. I think Memphis will have Bernal and Pozo.

Thanks. I recalled Yohel Pozo getting non-tendered and for some reason thought he was gone. I totally missed where they re-signed him

That's just my best guess. Could be totally wrong!!

[Cusecards]

I don’t necessarily think the Cardinals are adamant about Herrera being the starting catcher. What they are adamant about is giving him every opportunity to show them and Himself that he can or cannot do it. Just flat out telling him that he isn’t going to be the catcher, when he wants to be really bad, would be the wrong way to handle things. Let him come into camp and prove himself one way or the other. According to Oli, Iván is putting in a lot work trying to improve himself, so I feel he deserves another look. The only promise that I see hes been given, is the opportunity to! That can’t hurt a thing.

+1 agree completely

With all the young catching prospects in the system I’d be very surprised if Herrera’s future is catching.
Now...he could see some time there in 2026 during the transition?

[IndCard75]

From what I read Bernal is the better defender of the group of prospects. Rodriquez is expected to be the better hitter.
Personally this is what I would do.
Contreras trade
Herrera Pages 2026 Catchers
Herrera/ Burly1B
Crooks Pozo 2026 AAA/Mlb
Bernal is future Catcher 2026 AA
Rodriquez moves to another position 2026 A plus catcher