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What to Expect from Cardinals Catcher Jimmy Crooks

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Aug 29, 2025 4:04 PM ET

It’s been an eventful last few weeks, as far as promotions are concerned. Major League teams are looking for late-season reinforcements, as well as take a look at some of their stashed prospects. The Cardinals will give 2022 MLB Draft pick Jimmy Crooks a look, as St. Louis promoted him to the Majors just three days before rosters expand in September.

A Look at Crooks

The Cardinals drafted former Oklahoma catcher Jimmy Crooks in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. A two-year starter in Norman, Crooks hit 19 home runs across two seasons with the Sooners. And, he posted a .409 on-base percentage, thanks to his penchant for working walks.

Since joining the Cardinals organization, Crooks has steadily worked his way up the pipeline. The now-24-year-old posted double-digit home runs in each of the last three seasons. In 98 games before his promotion, Crooks hit .274/.337/.441 (.778 OPS) with 14 home runs and 36 extra-base hits with Memphis (AAA).

Crooks had himself a stellar August down in Tennessee, one that saw him hit .337 (.922 OPS) with three home runs and 16 RBI across 21 games.

The 24-year-old, who stands in the book with a wide-open stance, will expand the zone with regularity, as he chased at outside pitches to the tune of 32.5% with Memphis. Additionally, there is some swing-and-miss (31% Whiff%) in his game.

However, he didn’t strike out (26.5% K%) too much in Triple-A.

His approach isn’t sexy, as Crooks can ground out a lot. But, it was effective, as the 24-year-old hit for power and wasn’t beaten by fastballs (20.3% Whiff%) too much.

Defensively, Crooks has been able to hold his own. The 24-year-old threw out roughly one-third of runners across the last two seasons. This year in Triple-A, he posted a CS% of 29.4%.

The Cardinals promoted both Jimmy Crooks and infielder Cesar Prieto, the latter of whom was acquired in the Jack Flaherty trade, on the 29th.

Analysis

In the interim, Crooks fits in as a replacement for Yohel Pozo, who’s headed to the 7-day concussion IL. For the long term, this move has consequences.

One, Crooks will be added to the 40-man roster. We’ve seen a flurry of 2022 college draft picks called up over the last weeks, unsurprising given that those players would have been Rule 5-eligible come this fall. Two, he’ll get a chance to showcase himself as part of St. Louis’ future.

The Cardinals have a lot of catching depth in their system. Ivan Herrera is a catcher by trade but has spent most of the season at DH. Additionally, St. Louis has two other notable catchers — Leonardo Bernal (AA) and Rainiel Rodriguez (A) — who could make an impact across the next few seasons.

If Crooks can hit, he can easily work his way into the team’s short and long-term plans.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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