As we prepare to enter a transitional season for the St. Louis Cardinals, one of the biggest projects will be determining if Ivan Herrera can become the team’s regular catcher. The question is, are you confident Ivan can make the necessary changes after his time behind the plate last season was less than inspiring and do the Cardinals really need him to be a long-term catcher?
As of 2025, Ivan Herrera has captured a total of only 14 games. We know he struggled with elbow issues that limited him, leading him to join DH where he appeared in 89 matches. At the Winter Warmup, Ivan was very positive about how his elbow feels now. He also talked about how his elbow was a key factor in his efforts as a receiver. “Yeah, I mean…I basically couldn’t straighten my elbow.” The surgery created a problem he’s never had to deal with before, namely being unable to do his usual off-season training.
There is more to Ivan and his development as a receiver than just elbow issues. President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom said he thought Herrera was “not ready to succeed.”MLB.com “There’s a real program that’s been put in place for him to follow and develop,” Marmol said. “It’s a very hands-on approach” which will be led by capture coordinator Ethan Goforth who will work with Ivan and help him develop the workflow he needs. Herrera said he and Goforth have met every week this offseason to discuss his defensive approach as he has only just begun to step up his physical activities.
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I’ll admit that at first I was hesitant at the idea of the Cardinals trying to give Ivan another chance to become the team’s catcher, especially after the team’s dumpster fire. Willson Contreras catching situation. The Cardinals wanted Contreras to be the regular catcher for the same reason they want Herrera behind the plate. They want/need that bat in the lineup and the team is much better if their catcher is also a positive offensive contributor. My gut reaction is not to try to turn a player who isn’t a natural receiver into one, but I now completely agree for several reasons with just one overall reservation.
As it was mentioned by Jake Wood a few days agothe St. Louis Cardinals really benefit if Ivan Herrera is the catcher. I also had to adjust my thinking from approaching the season as an expected contender to understanding the St. Louis Cardinals who really put an emphasis on development. I would never want to start a season with a question mark at receiver if the St. Louis Cardinals were a serious playoff contender. That being said, the team really has nothing to lose with Ivan Herrera getting a chance and reversing his development as a receiver. We have Pedro Pages, Jimmy Crooks And Yohel Pozo to fall back on if this new attempt to make Herrera a reasonable defensive receiver fails.
The only question left in my mind is whether we really need Ivan Herrera as our top prospect receiver. Leonardo Bernal and Rainiel Rodriguez wait in the wings? If one or both players are ready for the majors in 2026 or 2027, wouldn’t Herrera pose a barrier to their progression? I understand that there can never be too many good catchers, as any of them would be an ideal trade candidate. What do you think? Do the St. Louis Cardinals need Ivan Herrera at catcher or are we about to create a problem we don’t currently have?
