# St. Louis Cardinals Stand Out with Young and Talented Catcher Roster Cardinals boast a rare depth in the catcher position in MLB. - **Source:** [Forbes - Business](https://brifing.si/source/e0310925-a7af-4d4b-80a7-c80d400e49fa) - **Published:** 2026-08-28 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/4c26ade1-2e50-4877-b68e-9314719788e5 ## Cardinals' Catcher Advantage The St. Louis Cardinals have an extraordinary depth in the catcher position, where most MLB teams struggle. Their 40-man roster features four high-caliber catchers, all aged 26 or younger. This young talent provides the team with long-term control. Ivan Herrera, Pedro Pagés, Jimmy Crooks, and Leo Bernal form a group that gives the Cardinals a significant edge over their competitors. ## Ivan Herrera: The Team's Star Ivan Herrera, a 26-year-old All-Star, is the Cardinals' primary catcher. Signed from Panama in 2016 for $200,000, Herrera is in his fifth season. He is known for his consistent hitting performance and typically bats second in the lineup. Last season, he hit 19 home runs and 68 RBIs, and this season he aims to reach 17 home runs. ## Pedro Pagés: Defensive Specialist Pedro Pagés, 27, stands out for his defensive skills. Drafted in the sixth round from Florida Atlantic University in 2018, Pagés received a $250,000 signing bonus. He began his career in Venezuela and gained recognition for his defensive abilities. He was named Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year at Florida Atlantic. As Herrera's backup, he is expected to make 200 plate appearances this season. ## Jimmy Crooks: Left-Handed Hitting Advantage Jimmy Crooks, 25, contributes to the Cardinals' roster with his left-handed hitting. Drafted in the fourth round from the University of Oklahoma in 2022, Crooks turned 25 on July 18. He is praised for his defensive skills and leadership qualities. calluptracker.com described him as ## Sources covering this story - https://www.forbes.com/sites/berniepleskoff/2026/08/28/st-louis-cardinals-4-quality-catchers-becomes-a-team-strength/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._