Pedro Pages. Jim Rassol-USA TODAY Sports

Watch: Cardinals rookie catcher hits first career home run

By Michael Carpenter | Last updated Jun 14, 2024 7:00 PM ET

Since breaking into the majors earlier this season, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Pedro Pages has had a tough time finding success at the highest level. But with catcher Willson Contreras being on the injured list, Pages has had the chance to stick around.

On Friday afternoon he made his presence felt, hitting his first career home run into the outfield basket in Wrigley Field against the Chicago Cubs.

Pagés into the basket for his first Major League home run! #ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/Y7fLgYusOi
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) June 14, 2024

Now slashing .125/.231/.250 with one home run and seven RBI, the 25-year-old backstop will hope that he has broken the ice and that hits will start to fall for him more often.

A career .256 hitter in the minors, Pages is coming off his best season as a professional in 2023 when he slashed .267/.362/.443 with 16 home runs, 23 doubles and 72 RBI in 117 games in Double-A.

With Contreras expected to be out a few more weeks, Pages will look to make the most of his time with the big league club to improve his odds of sticking around after his return.

The moment pales in comparison to the other in the historic rivalry between the Cubs and Cardinals, but the moment wasn't lost on Pages and will be one he always remembers.

Pedro Pagés on hitting his first MLB homer: "It's just a lot of emotions. ... It means a lot to do it in front of my dad, my sister, my fiancée, her parents."

Who gets the ball? "That one I'm keeping."

Brought to you by your Mid-America Chevy Dealers. https://t.co/4ESrl0L9ks pic.twitter.com/oTjRKOyPRT
— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) June 14, 2024

With the National League Central still a five-team race and last place only eight games out, every win will be huge.

As for the Cardinals, they have gone 16-9 in their last 25 games and have clawed their way out of last place after starting the season slow.

Michael Carpenter

Michael is a California kid, living in Arizona as a graduate of The Cronkite School of Journalism, Forks Up. He believes Yadier Molina will be in the Hall, and Dez caught it. Michael njoys spending his free time with his amazing wife and two beautiful daughters or playing video games. You can find him on Twitter @_MCSports.

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