Inside The Cardinals

Are Cardinals 'Fed Up' With Promising Young Catcher?

One MLB writer suggested the Cardinals were fed up with one of their young catchers.
Zach Pressnell|
May 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) celebrates with catcher Pedro Pages (43) after both scored against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images
May 10, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Victor Scott II (11) celebrates with catcher Pedro Pages (43) after both scored against the Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Brad Mills-Imagn Images | Brad Mills-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals have quite a bit of young talent on their roster. Among the young talent that's burst onto the scene this season is catcher Iván Herrera.

Herrera has hit the cover off the ball and proved the Cardinals to be right for moving Willson Contreras to first base. Having both Herrera and Contreras in the lineup has been great for the Cardinals. But Herrera's backup hasn't enjoyed the same success.

Zachary Howell of Clutch Points recently suggested the Cardinals were "fed up" with young catcher Pedro Pagés.

"The Cardinals have two different young options at catcher. Both Pedro Pages and Ivan Herrera have had cracks at playing behind the plate," Howell wrote. "However, Herrera has enjoyed far more success for the Cardinals.

"Pages is a homegrown player who developed in the Cardinals’ system. However, there isn’t enough playing time for him and Herrera, especially if he isn’t producing. St. Louis could move Pages to bring in a veteran that can help elsewhere or sweeten the pot in an Arenado deal. If St. Louis ends up going that route, Herrera will receive more consistent playing time, pleasing fans."

Pagés was fine during Herrera's time with an injury. But on the season, the 26-year-old is slashing .220/.254/.358 with limited walks and limited power. It's getting to the point where he's nearly unplayable in the lineup, even as a defense first catcher.

The Cardinals have prospect catcher Jimmy Crooks in Triple-A. He's one of the team's best prospects and has shown a lot of potential over the last few years. The young prospect isn't crushing the ball at Triple-A right now, which is probably the only reason the Cardinals continue to roster Pagés. Once Crooks finds his stride in the minor leagues again, the Cardinals may call him up and option the aforementioned Pagés.

More MLB: Cardinals Predicted To Trade Dominant $81 Million Star To Dodgers

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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