Cardinals' Ivan Herrera Showing Signs of Promise Behind the Plate

The Cardinals may need to make a change at the catcher position.

Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Ivan Herrera (48) fields a ball during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

The St. Louis Cardinals got back in the win column on Tuesday night with a 3-0 victory over the New York Mets. They improved to 3-2 through their first five games of the season.

This season, the Cardinals are hoping to give Ivan Herrera some runway behind the plate. He began the 2025 season as the team's primary catcher but was moved to the designated hitter spot after suffering a knee injury in April.

The Cardinals have long preferred Pedro Pages behind the plate because of his relationship with the pitching staff. However, it is important to note that while it is a small sample size, the pitching staff appears to responding much better to Herrera behind the plate.

Ivan Herrera showing signs of promise

Sep 21, 2025; St. Louis, Missouri, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter Ivan Herrera (48) tosses his bat after hitting a two run home run against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at Busch Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-Imagn Images | Jeff Curry-Imagn Images

Herrera has caught Michael McGreevy and Andre Pallante thus far. Neither pitcher allowed an earned run in their first start with Herrera behind the plate. In addition, the pitching staff has recorded 11 strikeouts and a 0.65 WHIP while also allowing just six walks with Herrera behind the plate and has limited the opposition to a .289 OPS.

Meanwhile, Pages hasn't been quite as successful. The pitching staff has recorded 17 strikeouts but has also allowed 16 walks and posted a 2.27 WHIP. Hitters have posted a .913 OPS against the pitching staff with Pages behind the plate.

While it is still very early in the season, this is something that should not be overlooked, and it goes to show that Herrera has made a lot of strides as a defensive catcher. The Cardinals have already found a way to keep Herrera's bat in the lineup on a daily basis, and that appears to be working thus far.

But the numbers cannot be ignored. What will ultimately set Herrera apart is if he can improve his game calling skills and also limit stolen bases.

It's clear that franchise legend Yadier Molina's presence with the club is benefitting Herrera, and as long as Herrera has opportunities to learn from Molina, he will continue to grow as a defensive catcher.

It will be interesting to see if Herrera can keep this up. If he does, then perhaps he can become the catcher of the future for St. Louis instead of Pages. He has done well so far, but as long as he can stay healthy and continue to improve, the Cardinals may have something special in the young backstop.