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St. Louis Cardinals fans got a glimpse into the not-so-distant future on Sunday.

The Cardinals faced off against the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon and 19-year-old prospect Rainiel Rodriguez made his first Spring Training appearance with the club.

"Rainiel Rodriguez, the club's No. 3 prospect, will make his first Spring Training appearance in this afternoon's game at Houston, starting as the designated hitter and batting ninth," the Cardinals shared on X. "The 19-year-old is ranked as the 35th overall prospect in MLB by Baseball America."

https://twitter.com/i/status/2025646056998916302

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/mlb/ca ... 7d44&ei=18

Likely on paper , Bloom has him Raniel penciled in as the 'primary big league Cardinal catcher' for 2027 season. The rest of the catcher staff will be battling to see who is the 'backup ' catcher with others being traded to improve their future with another team.

ramfandan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 20:38 pm Likely on paper , Bloom has him Raniel penciled in as the 'primary big league Cardinal catcher' for 2027 season. The rest of the catcher staff will be battling to see who is the 'backup ' catcher with others being traded to improve their future with another team.

As I recall, there was discussion in some previous thread that he may not remain at catcher. We shall see. He will certainly play somewhere to get that bat in the lineup. But he still has to conquer AAA..... 2027 may be a tad earlier than he arrives.... again, we shall see

bccardsfan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 20:48 pmAs I recall, there was discussion in some previous thread that he may not remain at catcher. We shall see. He will certainly play somewhere to get that bat in the lineup. But he still has to conquer AAA..... 2027 may be a tad earlier than he arrives.... again, we shall see

I think initially with him being so young and such a good hitter a lot of people didn’t think he’d stick, but I don’t think that is the case anymore. I don’t know if him playing stateside and people getting a better look at him has anything to do with it, but I’ve been reading a lot more positive things about his ability to continue at catching. He’s still very young, and reportedly a hard worker and dedicated to his craft, so I wouldn’t count him out.

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:21 pm

bccardsfan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 20:48 pmAs I recall, there was discussion in some previous thread that he may not remain at catcher. We shall see. He will certainly play somewhere to get that bat in the lineup. But he still has to conquer AAA..... 2027 may be a tad earlier than he arrives.... again, we shall see

I think initially with him being so young and such a good hitter a lot of people didn’t think he’d stick, but I don’t think that is the case anymore. I don’t know if him playing stateside and people getting a better look at him has anything to do with it, but I’ve been reading a lot more positive things about his ability to continue at catching. He’s still very young, and reportedly a hard worker and dedicated to his craft, so I wouldn’t count him out.

But, but, but, Ivan...

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:24 pm

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:21 pm

bccardsfan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 20:48 pmAs I recall, there was discussion in some previous thread that he may not remain at catcher. We shall see. He will certainly play somewhere to get that bat in the lineup. But he still has to conquer AAA..... 2027 may be a tad earlier than he arrives.... again, we shall see

I think initially with him being so young and such a good hitter a lot of people didn’t think he’d stick, but I don’t think that is the case anymore. I don’t know if him playing stateside and people getting a better look at him has anything to do with it, but I’ve been reading a lot more positive things about his ability to continue at catching. He’s still very young, and reportedly a hard worker and dedicated to his craft, so I wouldn’t count him out.

But, but, but, Ivan...

Well, IH can certainly get a first basemen's mitt.... The problem is a long way off yet. RR has not even played AA yet. It is possible he ends the season in AAA this year, but that is quite a stretch. He will be given time to develop. It is great he gets a cameo in ST, but unless he is hitting .450 he will not end camp with the big club. That said, it will be interesting to see if they let him stick around long enough to see some real pitching towards the end of ST. ... and people said this season isn't worth watching.....lots will be going on

I would love to have a 19 year old make it to the big leagues and have a long hall of fame career. I know it’s against all odds but I’m rooting for Rainel to make the big leagues this year for the stretch.

We need to trade Pages sooner than later.

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 22:31 pm I would love to have a 19 year old make it to the big leagues and have a long hall of fame career. I know it’s against all odds but I’m rooting for Rainel to make the big leagues this year for the stretch.

We need to trade Pages sooner than later.

Maybe he will be our next Albert?!?

Although, I have heard lots of good things about his hitting, I must say I am nit impressed with his body.

*Side note.....why do the Cardinals have so many dough boys? I mean a lot of sloppy, dumpy bodies. Even a lot of the minor league guys they have subbed in the past 2 days look dumpy. I don't like that.
(Burly, Gorman, Crooks, Pozo, Pages, Raniel Rodriguez, Josh Cross, Velazquez, Blaze Jordan, Rajcic, Moreno, etc.)

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 23:52 pm

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 22:31 pm I would love to have a 19 year old make it to the big leagues and have a long hall of fame career. I know it’s against all odds but I’m rooting for Rainel to make the big leagues this year for the stretch.

We need to trade Pages sooner than later.

Maybe he will be our next Albert?!?

Although, I have heard lots of good things about his hitting, I must say I am nit impressed with his body.

*Side note.....why do the Cardinals have so many dough boys? I mean a lot of sloppy, dumpy bodies. Even a lot of the minor league guys they have subbed in the past 2 days look dumpy. I don't like that.
(Burly, Gorman, Crooks, Pozo, Pages, Raniel Rodriguez, Josh Cross, Velazquez, Blaze Jordan, Rajcic, Moreno, etc.)

Yeah, I'm not thrilled about all those heavyweights, either. Isn't there any emphasis on being in shape in the minor leagues?

icon wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 23:57 pm

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 23:52 pm

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 22:31 pm I would love to have a 19 year old make it to the big leagues and have a long hall of fame career. I know it’s against all odds but I’m rooting for Rainel to make the big leagues this year for the stretch.

We need to trade Pages sooner than later.

Maybe he will be our next Albert?!?

Although, I have heard lots of good things about his hitting, I must say I am nit impressed with his body.

*Side note.....why do the Cardinals have so many dough boys? I mean a lot of sloppy, dumpy bodies. Even a lot of the minor league guys they have subbed in the past 2 days look dumpy. I don't like that.
(Burly, Gorman, Crooks, Pozo, Pages, Raniel Rodriguez, Josh Cross, Velazquez, Blaze Jordan, Rajcic, Moreno, etc.)

Yeah, I'm not thrilled about all those heavyweights, either. Isn't there any emphasis on being in shape in the minor leagues?

I understand baseball players come in all shapes and sizes, but seems like in today's game (with all the available tools out there), that guys in professional sports would really take care of their bodies. I mean I can't imagine being on the cusp of the major leagues and not being in the best shape of my life. It's really unfathomable. To me, that says a lot about their work ethic and desire to be their best.

Where does Crooks fit in? I remember him being the catcher of the future. But, so was Carson Kelly, Kinzer at a dozen others it seems.

I was looking at NRi list and Rodriguez isn’t on it. So, I’m surprised he hit on Sunday.

Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 23:52 pm

TheFantasyStud wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 22:31 pm I would love to have a 19 year old make it to the big leagues and have a long hall of fame career. I know it’s against all odds but I’m rooting for Rainel to make the big leagues this year for the stretch.

We need to trade Pages sooner than later.

Maybe he will be our next Albert?!?

Although, I have heard lots of good things about his hitting, I must say I am nit impressed with his body.

*Side note.....why do the Cardinals have so many dough boys? I mean a lot of sloppy, dumpy bodies. Even a lot of the minor league guys they have subbed in the past 2 days look dumpy. I don't like that.
(Burly, Gorman, Crooks, Pozo, Pages, Raniel Rodriguez, Josh Cross, Velazquez, Blaze Jordan, Rajcic, Moreno, etc.)

You guys crack me up.

bccardsfan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:29 pm

Talkin' Baseball wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:24 pm

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:21 pm

bccardsfan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 20:48 pmAs I recall, there was discussion in some previous thread that he may not remain at catcher. We shall see. He will certainly play somewhere to get that bat in the lineup. But he still has to conquer AAA..... 2027 may be a tad earlier than he arrives.... again, we shall see

I think initially with him being so young and such a good hitter a lot of people didn’t think he’d stick, but I don’t think that is the case anymore. I don’t know if him playing stateside and people getting a better look at him has anything to do with it, but I’ve been reading a lot more positive things about his ability to continue at catching. He’s still very young, and reportedly a hard worker and dedicated to his craft, so I wouldn’t count him out.

But, but, but, Ivan...

Well, IH can certainly get a first basemen's mitt.... The problem is a long way off yet. RR has not even played AA yet. It is possible he ends the season in AAA this year, but that is quite a stretch. He will be given time to develop. It is great he gets a cameo in ST, but unless he is hitting .450 he will not end camp with the big club. That said, it will be interesting to see if they let him stick around long enough to see some real pitching towards the end of ST. ... and people said this season isn't worth watching.....lots will be going on

Second that.

Ronnie Dobbs wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 21:21 pm

bccardsfan wrote: ↑22 Feb 2026 20:48 pmAs I recall, there was discussion in some previous thread that he may not remain at catcher. We shall see. He will certainly play somewhere to get that bat in the lineup. But he still has to conquer AAA..... 2027 may be a tad earlier than he arrives.... again, we shall see

I think initially with him being so young and such a good hitter a lot of people didn’t think he’d stick, but I don’t think that is the case anymore. I don’t know if him playing stateside and people getting a better look at him has anything to do with it, but I’ve been reading a lot more positive things about his ability to continue at catching. He’s still very young, and reportedly a hard worker and dedicated to his craft, so I wouldn’t count him out.

Catching is the toughest position to play in terms of wear on the body. It would be great if he can hit at a high level and handle the catching duties but he is a long way from MLB at the moment.

He hit .249 at Palm Beach - A ball.