Cardinals SET TO OFFLOAD Jimmy Crooks And Other Elite for 2026 as St. Louis Quietly Builds Its Core

The St. Louis Cardinals may be facing uncertainty in several areas, but one position continues to draw league-wide praise and optimism: catcher.

In this episode of Locked On Cardinals, we take a deep, reported look at why the Cardinals’ catching depth is being viewed as one of the organization’s biggest strengths heading into 2026 — and why two names in particular are generating serious buzz across baseball. From major-league contributors already proving their value to elite prospects climbing national rankings, St. Louis quietly holds one of the most intriguing catching pipelines in the sport.

We break down why Jimmy Crooks has been labeled a potential bounce-back candidate despite a limited MLB sample, what the Cardinals truly believe his long-term role could be, and how his defensive reputation continues to impress internally. Then we shift focus to the organization’s breakout prospect of the year — teenage phenom Raniel “Ronnie” Rodriguez — whose power numbers, age-adjusted production, and rare historical comparisons place him in exclusive company among young catchers.

Along the way, we explore how Iván Herrera, Pedro Pagés, Leonardo Bernal, and others fit into the bigger picture, and whether the Cardinals might eventually be forced to deal from their catching surplus to address needs elsewhere on the roster. Is a trade inevitable? Or is this depth exactly what St. Louis needs to stabilize the position for the next decade?

We also round out the episode with updates from around the NL Central, including recent roster moves by the Reds, Pirates, Cubs, and Brewers, plus what the Cardinals’ pitching plans may look like after another veteran arm comes off the market.

This is a comprehensive, forward-looking breakdown of where the Cardinals stand now — and where they may be headed next.

💬 Join the conversation: If the Cardinals had to trade one catcher tomorrow, who would you move — and why?

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