Cardinals 19-Year-Old Catcher Already Showing Signs of Star Potential

The Cardinals seem to have the next star catcher already developing in their farm system...

Apr 21, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; A St. Louis Cardinals hat and glove in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals are seemingly going to build their future roster through the farm system. Fortunately for them, they've done a very good job of adding a lot of exciting talent to their organization.

This offseason, the Cardinals have added a slew of promising young prospects. They've swung four major trades to add talent to their farm system. But one of their most exciting prospects wasn't added in a trade this winter. In fact, he's quietly emerging into a teenage star right now.

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CBS Sports' RJ Anderson recently ranked Cardinals catching prospect Rainiel Rodriguez as the No. 83 prospect in all of baseball, calling him a "promising young backstop with pop." Anderson projected Rodriguez, who's 19 years old, to be ready for the big leagues in 2029.

Rainiel Rodriguez quietly developing in the Cardinals farm system

Feb 26, 2021; Jupiter, Florida, USA; A general view of the St. Louis Cardinals logo on the stadium at Roger Dean Stadium during spring training workouts. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images | Jasen Vinlove-Imagn Images

"The Cardinals just keep producing interesting catchers. Rodriguez, 19 as of early January, performed well in his first taste of life outside of the complex league. In 60 A-ball games, he batted .249/.373/.498 with 13 home runs," Anderson wrote. "He even hit a ball harder than 111 mph, which is notable given his youth (though perhaps shouldn't be a surprise given he's already quite physical).

"That Rodriguez was able to hit for such power while maintaining healthy rates of walking and contact bodes well for his future. He seems more likely than not to stick behind the plate too. Young catchers have a devastatingly high attrition rate, but all of Rodriguez's indicators are pointing in the direction of him having staying power."

Rodriguez is a very raw talent, but his ceiling is as high as any catching prospect in the game. While he's still multiple years away from a big-league debut, it's never too early be start following his game.

He made it all the way to High-A during his first season above rookie ball, which means he's likely going to start this year in High-A. The slugging teenager slashed .276/.399/.555 with an OPS near 1.000 in just under 100 games last season.

Rodriguez has all the tools to be a superstar. If he continues to perform like this, he'll quickly become a household name around baseball.

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