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St. Louis Cardinals: Evaluating All the Catchers in This Year’s Camp

By Patrick Karraker

Feb 28, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) connects for a base hit against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 28, 2014; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (4) connects for a base hit against the Miami Marlins during a spring training game at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /
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Alberto Rosario St. Louis Cardinals
Feb 21, 2015; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals relief pitcher Jordan Walden (left) talks with catcher Alberto Rosario (right) during practice drills at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports /

Not Likely

Steve Bean, Luis Cruz, Carson Kelly, Mike Ohlman, Alberto Rosario

Mike Ohlman, ranked as the Cardinals’ 27th-best prospect by MLB.com, appears ready to jump to Triple-A in 2016 following a 2015 season where he hit .273/.356/.418 with 12 homers at Double-A Springfield. It’s highly doubtful that he would be considered to open the season as Brayan Pena’s backup if Yadier Molina isn’t healthy come Opening Day since he doesn’t have any Triple-A experience yet, but after he settles in a bit at the minors’ highest level, it’s quite possible that he could end up seeing big-league time later this season.

The 29-year-old has spent most of his professional career to date as a glorified bullpen catcher, frequently switching between levels without as needs occur and spending lots of time on the minor-league “phantom DL”. He could have one of his best opportunities to date this season, though, as he’ll likely be stationed at Memphis, backing up Fryer and/or Ohlman.

Kelly, the Cardinals’ top catching prospect (17th in the organization) and the recipient of a 2015 MiLB Gold Glove, will look to establish himself as a big-league-caliber hitter in what’s likely to be the most extensive spring training look that he’s gotten thus far. Despite a subpar .219/.263/.332 slash line at High-A Palm Beach, he’s likely to move up to Double-A in 2016 because of his defense.

Next: 2016 NL Central Predictions: Where Will the Cardinals Land?

Bean, a former first-rounder, and Cruz could both move up to Palm Beach in 2016 despite poor seasons at Low-A Peoria in 2015. Both will get the opportunity to work with the big-league pitching staff for a few weeks and will provide the necessary manpower for the mass bullpen sessions that take place during the early days of spring training.

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