The Cardinals are set to give Leo Bernal his first shot in the majors.
According to Francys Romero, St. Louis will promote the catching prospect from Triple-A on Tuesday before its game against the Dodgers. Bernal was already placed on the 40-man roster last November ahead of the Rule 5 Draft, and he’ll occupy one of the two extra roster spots when the 26-man roster expands to 28 on September 1.
That move creates a bit of a logjam behind the plate. Bernal would become the fourth catcher on the active roster, with Pedro Pages handling most of the catching this season, Jimmy Crooks seeing plenty of action since his recall from Triple-A Memphis at the end of May, and Ivan Herrera used more often at designated hitter than at catcher.
St. Louis has a few ways to sort it out.
One option is to leave Herrera at DH full time in September and keep the current three-man catching rotation. Another is to send Crooks back to Memphis, especially since he hasn’t been hitting.
Bernal has also seen some time at first base, so the Cardinals could use him there occasionally to give Alec Burleson extra at-bats.
However the playing time gets distributed, Bernal earned this opportunity with his bat. The 22-year-old, a 2021 international signing, has hit .279/.364/.469 with 16 home runs across 431 plate appearances for Memphis. It was his first taste of Triple-A pitching, and he handled it well, posting an 11.8% walk rate and a 20% strikeout rate alongside the power production.
The defensive reviews are strong, too. MLB Pipeline had Bernal 98th on its preseason top-prospect list, though he has since fallen out of the top 100 and is now ranked seventh among Cardinals prospects.
Baseball America lists him fifth among St. Louis minor leaguers.
Both outlets point to the same strengths: framing and a strong throwing arm. The concerns are around his blocking.
As a switch-hitter, Bernal offers more power and contact from the right side, while his left-handed swing is more contact-oriented.
All of this comes as the Cardinals continue searching for their next true catcher of the future after Yadier Molina’s retirement. Rainiel Rodriguez may be the answer eventually; he’s tearing up Double-A pitching and could be on his way to Triple-A once Bernal reaches the big leagues.
Pages is a strong defender who brings very little offense. Herrera’s production has dipped enough from 2025 that he profiles as an offensive asset only when he’s catching, not when he’s at DH.
Bernal and Crooks remain promising pieces, but their long-term roles in St. Louis are still unsettled, especially with Rodriguez expected to reach the majors before 2027 is over.
For now, though, the Cardinals have a good problem on their hands. Catching is thin across the league, and September gives St.
Louis a chance to evaluate Bernal and Crooks while sorting out who fits into the future and who might be available in trade talks this offseason. Bernal or Crooks would give the club real leverage, Herrera could become movable if the Cardinals are concerned about his power decline, and Pages has at least some value for teams in need of defense behind the plate.
In Other News...
Cardinals May Be Closing In On A Roster Shakeup Fans Wanted
The Cardinals are reportedly lining up a roster shakeup that has been on the radar for a while, with catcher Leo Bernal expected to get the call to the majors and make his debut against the Dodgers. Bernal, ranked as the clubs No. 7 prospect, would give St. Louis another young name to watch as the team keeps trying to find the right mix of energy and production.
Hancel Rincn may also be part of the picture, with rumors pointing to a promotion for the right-handed reliever to help the bullpen. Nothing has been officially confirmed by the Cardinals, though, so the plan still has room to shift before any moves become final. [Read more 🡒]
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Pedro Pages Cardinals Future Suddenly Feels Far Less Secure
With Leo Bernal reportedly on the verge of reaching St. Louis, the Cardinals catching picture is starting to get crowded in a hurry. Pedro Pages has already seen his workload shrink this season, and he has not been operating in a vacuum, either, with Jimmy Crooks and Ivan Herrera also in the mix as the organization sorts out who fits where behind the plate.
That kind of squeeze can change a players outlook fast, especially for someone who no longer looks locked into an everyday role. With roster space always at a premium and more young catching talent pushing for opportunities, the Cardinals could be forced to decide whether Pages is part of the next wave or a piece they consider moving on from. [Read more 🡒]