Cardinals rookie Jimmy Crooks makes strong case to stay in St. Louis after latest opportunity

The St. Louis Cardinals have spent much of the 2026 season searching for consistent production behind the plate, and one of their young catchers continues to make a compelling argument that he deserves an extended look. Jimmy Crooks wasn't expected to open the season in the majors after beginning the year at Triple-A Memphis, but the former fourth-round draft pick has continued to work his way into the conversation whenever the Cardinals have needed catching depth. While his overall offensive numbers remain a work in progress, the organization still believes the 24-year-old possesses the tools that made him one of the club's top prospects.

For a Cardinals team trying to balance competing now with developing its next core, Crooks represents an intriguing piece of the future.

Jimmy Crooks has battled through every level of the Cardinals system

Crooks' path to the major leagues has been anything but conventional. After starring at Trinity High School in Texas, he played at McLennan Community College before transferring to Oklahoma, where he emerged as one of the Sooners' most dependable hitters and leaders. His offensive approach caught the attention of scouts, leading the Cardinals to select him in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft with the No. 127 overall pick.

He wasted little time proving he belonged in professional baseball.

Crooks hit .266 in his first taste of pro ball before taking another step forward in 2023, batting .271 with 12 home runs and 73 RBIs across High-A Peoria and a brief stop with Triple-A Memphis. His breakout continued in 2024 at Double-A Springfield, where he slashed .321 with 11 home runs and 62 RBIs in just 90 games.

That performance firmly established him as one of the organization's best catching prospects.

It's 12:13 AM and Jimmy Crooks just hit a go-ahead home run 👍 pic.twitter.com/WqzQSEfijC

First taste of the majors provided valuable experience

The Cardinals rewarded Crooks with his first major league promotion late in the 2025 season. He debuted on Aug. 29 against the Cincinnati Reds before collecting his first big league hit two days later in memorable fashion, launching a solo home run off reliever Sam Moll.

Although he appeared in only 15 games during his rookie campaign and hit .133, the brief stint gave him an opportunity to experience major league pitching and understand the adjustments needed to succeed at baseball's highest level. Those lessons have continued to shape his development.

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Cardinals could have another long-term answer behind the plate

Crooks entered 2026 competing for future opportunities despite opening the season back at Triple-A. Through his first stretch of big league action this year, he's hit .147 with two home runs and eight RBIs, numbers that don't yet tell the full story of his potential. The left-handed hitter has consistently shown throughout his minor league career that he can produce offensively while handling the demanding responsibilities of catching. His defensive development, game-calling ability and leadership have also drawn praise throughout his climb in the Cardinals organization.

St. Louis already has talented catchers on the roster, including Iván Herrera and Pedro Pagés, but quality catching depth is one of the most valuable commodities in baseball. Crooks gives the Cardinals another young, controllable option at a premium position. At just 24 years old, there's still ample time for his bat to catch up to the flashes he displayed throughout the minor leagues. If he continues to capitalize on opportunities as they arise, Crooks could become an increasingly important piece of the Cardinals' plans—not just for the remainder of 2026, but for years to come.

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