Crooks Thrives in Memphis Forcing a Tough Roster Decision

The St. Louis Cardinals‘ prosect Jimmy Crooks is making noise in Memphis and could force a call up if he keeps it up. As the 2026 Major League Baseball season settles into its rhythm, the Cardinals find themselves in an ufamiliar position. Navigating a rebuild while still being competitive. The front office has to balance the need for immediate production with the long-term goal of developing the organization’s top talent.

Among the most frequent subjects of conversation in Cardinals circles is catcher Crooks. With a strong start at Triple-A Memphis and a profile that continues to intrigue, the question arises. Is it time for the Cardinals to call up the 24-year-old backstop?

Crooks’ Profile: Tools and Growth

Crooks, the Cardinals’ 2022 fourth-round selection, has long been viewed as a high-upside prospect, largely due to his exceptional defensive foundation. Standing 6’0” and weighing 230 pounds, Crooks possesses a sturdy frame that translates well behind the plate. His defensive metrics are impressive, featuring above-average framing and a cannon for an arm. Evidenced by pop times that frequently dip below 1.8 seconds. This ability to control the running game is a rare and highly coveted skill, making him a reliable anchor for any pitching staff.

Offensively, the picture is more complex, reflecting the typical development of a young catcher. After a breakout 2024 season in the Texas League, Crooks faced adjustments upon his promotion to Triple-A Memphis in 2025. While he battled chasing bad pitches and inconsistency against advanced offspeed pitching, he still managed to demonstrate improved exit velocities and power. His 2026 campaign has started with a noticeable spark. Through his early games in Memphis, he has posted a stellar 1.006 OPS, suggesting that the adjustments made over the offseason are beginning to pay dividends.

The Current Cardinals’ Catchers are Lacking

The Cardinals are currently relying on combination of Ivan Herrera and Pagés as their primary options behind the plate. Herrera, a bat first type catcher is probably better suited at DH or possibly the outfield. Pagés has been lauded for his defense and the ability to handle the pitching staff but doesn’t have much of a bat. Then there’s Yohel Pozo. He’s also a bat first type and always seems to come through in clutch moments. However, it’s likely none of them will end up being their answer at catcher for the long term.

Herrera is the only one of the three that is considered a core piece of the roster at this point. His bat is one that needs to be in the lineup. Pagés and Pozo are expendable and blocking Crooks. In the early going Pagés has struggled significantly with defensive metrics like blocking and framing. This leaves the Cardinals with a big problem on the defensive side of the lineup. Additionally, while Pozo offers bench utility, he has not provided significant offensive production. This leaves the team with a clear dilemma, stick with current roster depth or look internally to upgrade the position.

Crooks Improves the Defense Immediately

The argument for calling up Crooks is rooted in the idea of maximizing the team’s defensive floor. If the goal is to improve the overall quality of the catching rotation, inserting Crooks, a superior defender, would provide immediate value. While his late season call up in 2025 was underwhelming offensively, it still provided the experience. An experience that likely improved his comfort level with the demands of the show.

However, the argument for patience is equally compelling. The Cardinals have made it clear that they prioritize the sustainable development of their young stars. Rushing a player to the Majors can sometimes stunt growth if they are not consistently in the lineup. For a catcher, the demands of the position are as much about mental preparation and game calling as they are about raw physical output. The organization may prefer that Crooks continues to refine his approach against Triple-A pitching. Ensuring that when he returns to St. Louis, he is ready to contribute as a high-impact, everyday-caliber player rather than just a stopgap.

Cut Ties with Pagés or Pozo and Call Up Crooks?

Ultimately, the decision rests on the organization’s immediate priorities. If the Cardinals care that the defensive deficiencies in their catching room are costing them wins, a promotion for Crooks makes a great deal of sense. He is undeniably one of the most promising defensive backstops in the system. Also, his hot start in 2026 indicates he is ready to take the next step.

However, the team is currently in rebuild mode and if the team believes that consistent, high-leverage reps in Memphis are the final piece to his offensive maturation, they may hold off. The ideal scenario for the Cardinals is a transition where Crooks arrives in St. Louis not just to fill a role, but to challenge for a significant share of playing time. As the season progresses, keep a close eye on Crooks’ continued development, the call to the big leagues may be closer than it appears.