Ivan Herrera obtained his first substantial taking part in time with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024, and his bat was greater than as much as the problem, because the catcher hit .301 in 229 at-bats. If batting have been all he was required to do, Herrera can be a borderline stud. Sadly for Herrera, he’s a catcher, and in at present’s recreation, the place the stolen base has begun to make a comeback with the introduction of bigger bases, it is turn into more and more necessary to have an arm that may throw out tried thieves at a semi-respectable clip. And that’s the place Herrera fell woefully quick final season.
Of the 59 basestealing makes an attempt towards him on the season, Herrera managed to throw out solely 4 runners, which is a dreadful 6.8%. Herrera admitted throughout the season that he was feeling ache in his arm and had obtained an injection in June. It is unclear whether or not that affected his throwing, however what is understood is that Herrera had by no means struggled to that extent within the minor leagues.
Decided to unravel the issues plaguing his throwing, Herrera trained at a Driveline facility during the offseason to regulate the angle he throws at and enhance his arm power. Whether or not this can bear out outcomes stays to be seen, as he has caught one among three tried basestealers this spring, which is way too small of a pattern dimension to make any judgments.
The Cardinals could have an issue if Herrera’s arm has not improved.
Cardinals supervisor Oli Marmol tends to prioritize protection over offense, and to that finish, Herrera caught 56 video games in contrast with the extra defensively inclined Pedro Pages’ 68. Most of these video games got here after Willson Contreras went down with a damaged forearm in Might, and with Contreras now slated to serve as the Cardinals’ main first baseman, Herrera and Pages are locked in one of many group’s spring coaching place battles to be the beginning catcher.
If Herrera would not present tangible progress in his potential to throw out runners, the Cardinals may must strive him elsewhere on the diamond. That is simpler stated than accomplished, nonetheless, because the group already has Contreras and Alec Burleson manning Herrera’s most certainly backup place of first base. Moreover, the offensive bar at first base is way increased than it’s behind the plate, and Herrera could not possess the extent of energy desired in a primary baseman.
The Cardinals do have a surplus of catching expertise within the minor leagues, and if the Cardinals deem Herrera incapable of catching and both transfer him to a different place or commerce him, Jimmy Crooks may finally function his alternative. The 23-year-old Crooks, who just missed a spot on MLB.com’s top 100 prospects list for 2025, hit .321 with Double-A Springfield in 2024, however the Cardinals will probably play it protected with him and elevate him one stage, to Triple-A Memphis, in 2025. That leaves veteran backup catcher Probability Sisco because the most certainly participant to get the nod. Sisco has a profession .197 common, and a catching tandem of Pages and Sisco will not get many followers excited.
The Cardinals are adamant about holding Contreras at first base and don’t plan to provide him any catching reps this season. But when gamers run wild on Herrera, the Cardinals could have a dilemma on their palms relating to what to do with him and how you can assemble the optimum duo behind the plate. For now, the Cardinals are anxious to see whether or not Herrera’s stint at Driveline has resulted in vital features together with his throwing arm.
