Cardinals Have Obvious Offensive Fix Waiting in Triple-A

Sep 23, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Jimmy Crooks (8) stands at bat against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Cardinals Have Obvious Offensive Fix Waiting in Triple-A

Originally posted on St. Louis Cardinals on SI
By Patrick McAvoy | Last updated Apr 23, 2026 3:00 PM ET

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The biggest talking point around the St. Louis Cardinals down in the minors to kick off the 2026 season surely has been the performance of young catcher Jimmy Crooks.

The 24-year-old No. 8 prospect had a cup of coffee in the majors in 2025 and slashed .133/.152/.244 with one homer and one RBI in 15 games played. He looked a bit overmatched at the plate, which can be said about the vast majority of rookies out there in their first few weeks in the big leagues.

He looked like he was taking a step forward throughout Spring Training and slashed .333/.333/.583 with one homer and four RBIs in five games. He didn't make the big league club out of camp, though. Instead, the Cardinals have rolled with Iván Herrera, Pedro Pagés and Yohel Pozo. Herrera is going to get plenty of opportunities, but it should be time for the Cardinals to promote Crooks to come up and have a significant role in the majors as well.

Again, his performance has been talked about all season to this point because he's been on fire. Somehow, he keeps getting better. Crooks launched his eighth homer of the season on Wednesday for Triple-A Memphis.

It's Time To Make A Move

Jim Rassol-Imagn Images

CROOKS IS CLUTCH!!!!

THREE-RUN @LennysSubs LONGBALL TO PUT US IN FRONT!#LennysLongball pic.twitter.com/hqYTNLVCrx
— Memphis Redbirds (@memphisredbirds) April 23, 2026

Crooks has played in just 18 games so far this season and has eight homers, 17 RBIs and a .288/.413/.667 slash line. His OPS is over 1.000 and currently sits at 1.079. All of this is to say, Crooks has done everything the team should need to give him a promotion.

Pagés is hitting .204 in 16 games played. Pozo is hitting .125 in seven games played. Something has got to give here. Crooks is the team's No. 8 prospect for a reason. St. Louis is 14-10 on the season. Imagine, if Crooks could bring this production with him to the majors?

Herrera is going to get plenty of at-bats at catcher or designated hitter. Crooks easily could move into the Pagés role. It's hard to deny the fact that Crooks has significantly higher offensive upside. It's been a small sample size down in Triple-A in just 18 games, but his production has been good enough that St. Louis should make a change as fast as possible.

With Crooks, the Cardinals would get a look at a potential long-term answer at catcher while also improving the offense on paper right away. It's a tough decision, but one that should be made now.

This article first appeared on St. Louis Cardinals on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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