The St. Louis Cardinals just made one of the offseason’s most seismic moves, trading away veteran All-Star third baseman Nolan Arenado to the Arizona Diamondbacks.
That deal doesn’t just shake up the infield-it opens the door for a new wave of young talent to take the stage. And while third base is now up for grabs, one name that doesn’t need a vacancy to earn his shot is Ivan Herrera.
The 25-year-old catcher from Panama is already turning heads, landing at No. 98 on MLB Network’s Top 100 Players Right Now list. It’s a nod to the breakout season he put together in 2025-a campaign that saw him play a career-high 107 games, launch 19 home runs, and post a 137 wRC+ with 2.7 fWAR. That’s not just solid production behind the plate-it’s the kind of offensive upside that can change the trajectory of a franchise.
Herrera burst into the national conversation early last season with a jaw-dropping three-homer game, the kind of performance that makes fans sit up and pay attention. But as the year wore on, injuries and defensive inconsistencies behind the plate slowed his momentum. Even so, the offensive toolkit was impossible to ignore, and MLB Network clearly took notice.
Now, as the Cardinals head into 2026, it looks like they’re ready to give Herrera a real shot at becoming their everyday catcher. That’s a big storyline to watch as spring training ramps up, especially with Herrera working his way back from offseason arm surgery.
His defense has been a question mark-he’s thrown out just six of 75 would-be base stealers in his career-but the hope is that surgery addressed the lingering issues that were holding him back. If he can regain strength and improve his throwing, it could be a game-changer for both him and the Cardinals.
The upcoming World Baseball Classic could offer an early glimpse at his progress. Herrera is set to represent Team Panama, and if he sees time behind the plate during the tournament, it’ll give the Cardinals a valuable look at how he’s handling game-speed reps post-surgery. That kind of real-time evaluation could go a long way in shaping the team’s plans heading into the regular season.
Of course, if catching doesn’t end up being Herrera’s long-term home, the Cardinals have options. Pedro Pages remains in the mix, known more for his ability to guide a pitching staff than his bat-though he did catch fire in August last year. Yohel Pozo, a fan favorite with a flair for the dramatic, is also back in the fold on a split minor league deal after being removed from the 40-man roster.
Beyond the big-league depth, the farm system is brimming with intriguing talent. Jimmy Crooks got his first taste of MLB action last season, and while the results were mixed, he’s still in the conversation. Leonardo Bernal, a minor league Gold Glove winner and top-100 prospect, brings elite defensive chops, while 19-year-old Rainiel Rodriguez is already flashing the kind of raw power that scouts drool over.
Still, it’s Herrera who stands at the center of it all. He may not have the long résumé that some of his Top 100 peers boast, but his offensive upside is undeniable. If he can take even modest steps forward defensively-especially in controlling the running game-he’s got the tools to be one of the league’s more complete catchers.
The Cardinals are clearly betting on that potential. And if Herrera delivers, he won’t just justify his spot on the list-he’ll be climbing it.