Locked On Cardinals - Daily Podcast On The St. Louis Cardinals - St. Louis Cardinals Catching Decision SHAKES Spring—Why Jimmy Crooks Was Sent Down

Episode Date: March 9, 2026

St. Louis Cardinals shake up their catching corps, favoring veteran Yohel Pozo while top prospect Jimmy Crooks heads to AAA. Is a youth movement being delayed, or is experience crucial with Opening Da...y on the horizon? JD Hafron examines the Cardinals' latest roster cuts, the crowded and deep catcher position, and which bats could ignite a sluggish spring offense. Highlights include standout pitching performances from Michael McGreevy, Kyle Leahy, and Andre Pallante, plus updates on Cardinals prospects shining in the World Baseball Classic. With Hunter Dobbins progressing from injury, questions linger: Will offensive struggles doom the early season, or can the rotation’s bright spring carry the team? Get all the crucial analysis, standout performances, and roster news as St. Louis eyes a bounce-back year. 00:00 - Catchers Roster Decision 09:28 - Pitching Standouts & Game Recaps 22:41 - WBC Updates & Injury News Follow & Subscribe on all Podcast platforms… 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-st-louis-cardinals/ Locked On MLB League-Wide: Every Team, Prospects & More 🎧 https://lockedonpodcasts.com/leagues/mlb/ Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonstlcardinals.supercast.com/ Follow on Twitter/X: @JDSPORTSRADIO Follow the show on Twitter/X: @LO_Cardinals Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors! PlayStation This episode of is brought to you by MLB The Show 26. Visit https://mlbthe.show/lockedon and use code “LOCKEDON” to unlock a pack for use in Diamond Dynasty. Pre-Order now, Available March 17th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch. RATED E FOR EVERYONE. Turbo Tax For a limited time, you can have your taxes done by a local TurboTax expert for just $150 — all in, if a TurboTax expert didn’t file for you last year. Just file by February 28. Take taxes off your plate and get back to your life. Visit https://TurboTax.com/local to book your appointment today. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel FanDuel is giving you a way to turn that energy into even bigger potential wins with a College Basketball Parlay Profit Boost. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started — Play Your Game. FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) #ForTheLou #stlcards #mlb #lockedoncardinals #stlouiscardinals Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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Starting point is 00:00:00 A decision has been made about the catching situation, and there's an argument to be made both for and against it. This is Locked on Cardinals. You are Locked on Cardinals. Your daily St. Louis Cardinals podcast, part of the Locked on Podcast Network, your team every day. Hey there, Cardinals fans. I'm J.D. Haffer and a former National Radio Sports anchor, born and raised in St. Louis and a Lifetime Cardinals fan. And welcome to another episode of Locked on Cardinals. part of the Lockdown Podcast Network, now the number one sports podcast network.
Starting point is 00:00:36 Thank you to our everydayers for being a part of the show for you who are new to the show. Welcome in. Hope you enjoy the content because this is a show that serves Cardinal Nation. It gives you all the info about the birds on the bat. This episode brought to you by MLB the show 26. Visit MLB-the-dot show slash locked on and use code locked on, L-O-C-E-D-O-N to unlock a pack for use in Diamond Dynasty pre-order now. available March 17th on PlayStation 5, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch rated E for everyone. All right, on today's show, we'll be discussing everything that we saw over the weekend.
Starting point is 00:01:12 Lots to get to, which had the Cardinals go one, one and one. Like a hockey team. They went one one and one. Yes, we had a tie in there on Sunday. So we're going to go over those games. We had some very impressive starts from Michael McGruevy, Calahey, Andre Palante, and some flashes of offense here. there. So we'll check in on, you know, how everything went over the weekend, how people are doing that
Starting point is 00:01:36 are affiliated with the Cardinals, how they're doing in the WBC thus far. But we're going to start today with the latest camp cuts and what appears to be a decision that was made on the catching situation for at least the start of the season, right? There's a long way to go in this thing. And just because certain things go down for opening day, doesn't mean that's the way it's going to be the rest of the year. I hope we all know that. But this is news. And what do we do when it comes to opening day stuff? We overreact to it. We like to do that, right? That's what most people do. So here's what happened. On Saturday, the Cardinals announced that they have reduced their spring training roster to 51 players,
Starting point is 00:02:16 six players moving to minor league camp. The team option, pitcher team kents, infielder Cesar Prieto, infielder outfielder Brian Torres, and catchers Leo Bernal and Jimmy Crooks to the Memphis this AAA roster and re-assigned non-roster pitcher, Scother Hales, to minor league camp. The Cardinals currently have 34 major league roster players and 17 non-raster invitees in Major League camp still. Now, you're going to recognize a few of those names. Team Ken's former top 100 prospect, Cesar Prieto came over in that Jack Flaherty trade with Baltimore, Scother Hales, came over in the film Maiton deal with the Rangers.
Starting point is 00:02:54 Brian Torres got added to the 40 man this offseason. and he's currently in the WBC. And then you've got top 100 catching prospect with the Cardinals, the number six prospect according to the NBW pipeline for them. And Leo Bernal, who's also in the WBC. And then the Cardinals number eight prospect, Jimmy Crux. Now the name that's going to stick out, at least to me, when this move went down was Jimmy Crooks,
Starting point is 00:03:19 who got a taste of the big leagues last year and was fighting for a spot on the opening day roster. And apparently he has lost. that spot. And I say lost, but I really don't think it's so much that he's done anything wrong. It hasn't done anything good for the Cardinal so far. But I think it's more that Joe L. Pozo has been too good to deny a spot. And it's a spot that probably needs a veteran presence at. So let's break it down. Crooks appeared in five games this spring. Only got 12 at bats. Got four hits, which obviously is very good. Badding 333, one home run, four ribbies, two runs scored, not too shabby, right?
Starting point is 00:04:05 And then you've got Joelle Pozo, who came to camp and the first thing that we all saw was that he lost some weight, 30 pounds, to be exact, down 30 pounds from last season. So put in a lot of effort this offseason. And then so far this spring, he's been the team's best hitter. After Sunday, he's seven for 16 is betting 438 with one home run six rubbies four runs scored three walks and has not struck out yet so the catching situation can be looked at in two different ways you can look at and go we've got a crowded catching position or you can say we are very deep at the catcher position so you can take your pick however you want to look at it you've got your your your primetime prospects in bernal and rodriguez who are still developing but with a
Starting point is 00:04:54 Devon Herrera attempting to become a full-time catcher again. Pedro Pahas still considered a solid receiver behind the dish. Had a hit on Sunday, big hit on Sunday. Pozo, who can play catcher and first base and be a right-handed bat off the bench that you've seen do well in a major league setting. So you have all of those up against Crooks. So the deck kind of stacked against Crooks when you think about it. Now, Crooks does have some things going for.
Starting point is 00:05:25 him that you can argue should have given him a better chance to make the team in the first place. Number one, left-handed stick. We know the cardals have a lot of left-handed bats in their lineup already, but between Herrera, Pahas, and Pozo, and then Crooks, he's the only guy that swings from the left-hand side. So on days that you face a righty, which statistically is going to happen more times than not, Herrera might be de-hching. You would have Crooks be your backstop. he also offers power, something that the Cardinals don't have a ton of. Now he's not a 30 home run guy, but he has had double-digit home runs his last two years in the minor leagues and did it both in less than 100 games. So you're thinking 15, maybe 20 home run type of power that seems feasible, which means that he's got more power than Pahas and probably Pozo 2.
Starting point is 00:06:21 he's also a solid defensive catcher. Not going to hurt you behind the dish. He's been very good in the minors. Also, number four, this is the youth movement. So why not let someone who is seemingly going to be one of your future backstops, take the reps instead of a pahas or a pozo, who have a lesser ceiling and we don't really know how long they're going to be around? Why would you just let crooks do it?
Starting point is 00:06:45 Then you've got the argument to send them down. And that really is playing time. is the reason why you're doing it. If Herrera and Pahas are going to get the bulk of the time and you got Pozo who can be like that third catcher, you'd rather not have crooks rotting on the bench, making only one start a week. Like Pozo, already comfortable on the bench roll.
Starting point is 00:07:10 We've seen him do it. He was good at it last year coming off the bench as a pinchetter. And it appears he's going to dabble a little bit of first base as well. So he's going to be there to help when, early needs a day off or something. You know, I'm sure they're going to work these guys in, you know, Pahas, uh, I'm sure Herrera will see some time at first base at some point. It just feels like it makes sense for that to happen.
Starting point is 00:07:32 But you've got Herrera coming off. He elbow cleanup. He was scratched on a Saturday with the knee inflammation. So we're already off to kind of a kind of a shaky start, hoping that he's going to be somebody who's going to be available day in and day out, the way you want him to be. But at least at Memphis, Crooks and Bernal can make the bulk of the starts together, right?
Starting point is 00:07:57 Like they'll be able to do that together, switch off, people can D.H. You know, Bernal's a switch header. So you got that going for you. And just because Crooks isn't up now, I do want to remind you this. Just because it's not up right now, doesn't mean he's not going to be later. But for now, it appears that they're going to go with this trio. It's going to be Herrera, who said the knee, by the way, was feeling much better on Sunday, which is great news.
Starting point is 00:08:18 So hopefully it's only a couple of days in the, inflammation will go down. Pahas and then Poso. Are you cool with this plan to start the season? Or do you think they're making a mistake? Would you rather have crooks up now and he should be catching more times than not? Let me know. Obviously, they want to give Herrera a shot at doing this catching thing. And I think that's a big part of it because if he's going to be doing it and then you
Starting point is 00:08:44 got Pahas and you don't need crooks as that third guy that's just not going to get as much playing time as you want him to at this point in his career. So I feel like it kind of makes sense, but I understand why you'd be a little, little peed off that crooks got sent down. But again, anything can happen. Things can change. He can come back up and he will at some point in this season. But for the start of the year, are you cool with this? Let me know in the comments section below and we can discuss it in our next cardinal confession. Up next, we're going to talk about the standout performances over the weekend, which was headline by the starting rotation, which continues to be a very bright spot for the Cardinals so far this
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Starting point is 00:12:13 Thanks again for making Locked on Cardinals, your first list of the day. Thank you for making Locked on the number one sports podcast network with baseball back on. And gosh, we're getting close to opening day, aren't we? It's flying by. You can lock in by joining the Everyday or Club. If you haven't already, which is going to get you the ad-free episodes, access to our group chat on Discord. with other Cardinal fans and baseball fans alike.
Starting point is 00:12:34 For the next week or so, we got the code spring for a free month at SPR-I-N-G. Check out locked on STL-Cardinals.com or tap the link in the show notes for more information. So as I mentioned, the team goes one, one-one and one over the weekend. And let's start with Friday's game where they, they clobbered the Baltimore Orioles. Why don't we got a sugar-coded? They beat up on them by a score of 10 to 2. But a lot of that offense, it did come later on in the game. Michael McGreevy got the starting nod.
Starting point is 00:13:01 And once again, nothing spectacular, but solid, solid. Four innings allows one run and four hits, but he also struck out four. For the spring so far, McGreevy has gone eight in the third innings. He's allowed three runs on nine hits, one home run. He has struck out eight, but has walked only one. So you like that ratio. That's what you expect out of McGreevy. And he's a pitch to contact guy.
Starting point is 00:13:24 You see nine hits at eight in the third innings. That shouldn't shock anybody. That's who he is. He's not a strikeout guy. The eight strikeouts that he's got already, that's a little surprising. But he's going to give up his fair share of hits, but not allowing a ton of damage. That's how he survives. That's been a plus so far.
Starting point is 00:13:43 And we've also heard how he's, you know, taking on that leadership role among the pitchers, which is also positive. So good stuff for the most part from Michael McGreevy so far here in the spring. And I love the interviews like when we have had TV games and like Brad Thompson was able to talk to, Michael McGreevy the other day and just hearing the guy talk about pitching. Like he sounds like he's going to be a coach, right? Like he's going to be a pitching coach one day. He just has a good head on his shoulders, knows what he's getting into.
Starting point is 00:14:13 So impressive for a young man of that age to be where he is mentally for this game. Joe Alpozo had two hits and two ribbies. Herrera was two for three with a ribby. Nelson Velasquez, Joshua Baez, finally hit their first home runs of the spring in the game on Friday. Jeremy Revis was two for three with a ribby. Nathan Church had ahead. He walked a couple of times. Jordan Walker had an RBI. Offensively, this was one of the better days for the Cardinals so far this spring. Shout out to the bullpen as well. Pushard, Soriano, Pachy, Naughton, Chris Roycroft. They all threw scoreless innings. Max Ratchick was the only guy that gave up a run out of the bullpen. Gave that up in the ninth inning had some control issues, but it's okay. You know, it's spring. Saturday they faced the Mets. it was Kyle Leahy on the bump, and he looked outstanding, okay? No joke. Kyle Leahy is good as anybody this spring in this game against the Mets, threw four no-hit innings,
Starting point is 00:15:11 struck out on just 47 pitches, a complete 180 from what he did the last time he was out when he got touched up for four runs. He had three walks, two and two-thirds innings against the pirates. It was an ugly game. He knew it was bad. He knew he's better than that, and he came out and he shoved against the meds for the spring eight and two thirds innings he struck out nine but that bad game against pittsburgh obviously really makes the numbers overall look pretty bad a lot worse than what you know they could be uh 5.19 er a so far in the spring five earned runs but four of those came in that game um two home runs allowed so far this year then the three walks again all of that came in the one game the uh the walks there so um honestly i would expect some of these inconsistencies to be a
Starting point is 00:15:58 for Leahy early on in the season if he does end up winning a rotation spot, which I still believe he will. I just, it's going to be a bit of a transition for him to get back into starting pitcher mode and then going up against full major league lineups. You know, that wasn't the Mets full lineups. A lot of their good guys were in there, but, you know, Swan Soto's off doing his thing with the WBC. Francisco Lindor is hurt right now. So, you know, he still looked good, you know, but we know he's got the stuff to be a very good pitcher. We've got high hopes for him this year, but I believe you're going to see some of these ugly days too,
Starting point is 00:16:36 like he did against the pirates. And I think that's just going to be kind of who he is early on in the season. And hopefully he'll work his way through that and become better off overall. The offense got two runs off of Metz starter Kodaisanga, one in the second inning, thanks to Joshua Baez's second home run of the spring. And then in the third inning, when Miguel Ugetto, took him yard for his first home run of the spring. Alec Burleson had a good day, three for three.
Starting point is 00:17:03 But that's really about it offensively, as the Cardinals ultimately lost that game by a score of three to two. The other good news that came out of this one, reliever Riley O'Brien did make his first return to game action since dealing with that calf issue early on in camp. So good to see that he has progressed and he looked healthy. He looked all right. Then on Sunday it was another nail biter with Andre Palante getting the start.
Starting point is 00:17:24 And I know he's kind of the punching bag of the rotation. right now after the tough season he had last year. We've all taken our swings at Andre Palante. We get it. But he did turn in another solid outing on Sunday. He went four innings, allowed just one run on two hits. One of those hits was an opposite field home run by Griffin Coenine
Starting point is 00:17:43 on an absolute meatball of a fastball, like just right down the shoot for Seamer, 94 miles an hour. Big leagueers don't miss those very often. And Griffin Coenine drove it out over the boards in, left field. He also walked a guy, but he did strike out three. And overall this spring, whether you want to admit it or not, Andre Palante has been decent. Give him credit. He's now gone nine innings, allowed three runs on five hits. It struck out seven, just walked two, and he hit a guy. But opponents are only hitting 156 against him so far this spring.
Starting point is 00:18:19 He's only had to pitch against the Barlons and the National. So no, not exactly offensive juggernauts that he's facing, but the bottom line is, you're going to. You're going to, got to get out the people that are in front of you. And that's who's been in front of Andre Palante so far. And against them, he has done quite well overall. The only other run the fish got in the game on Sunday was against Justin Brule. That was in the seventh inning. But Ryan Stanick, Jojo Romero, Scott Blewett, and Gerson-Morano, all toss scoreless innings, and the Marlins only got three hits in the game. Somehow, the Cardles tied because the offense stunk. It couldn't get much going again.
Starting point is 00:18:59 The Cardinals got one run in the first inning against Braxton Garrett, who's going to be one of the Marlins main starters, RBI Devil by Pedro Pius, that scored Jose Fermin all the way from first base. And then another in the seventh inning on a sack fly by 21-year-old outfielder, Yorna Laine Pena, who was at Palm Beach all year last year, so you're probably not all that familiar with him. But good size, 6-3-177. So certainly some room to grow into his.
Starting point is 00:19:25 his body, but that was it. It was pretty boring of a game, to be honest with you on Sunday. Another low-scoring day for the offense, which was comprised of mostly minor leaguers. I mean, Nathan Church was in there over three. Formine was in there, over two, had a walk. Pahas was one for two. Pozo was there, one for three. But the Cardinals only had five hits in the game.
Starting point is 00:19:50 So another kind of stinker offensively, that's really been the issue for the Cardinals in the spring so far. We haven't really seen a lot of guys do much damage. You know, it's been exciting to see Joshua Baez starting to, you know, break out a little bit here in the spring. We saw early stuff from J.J. Weatherholt, although he's cooled off a little bit, but it just hasn't been a lot of, a lot of damage, which is something that I fear is going to be the real point for the Cardinals in the regular season. I think the pitching, sure, there's going to be off nights, but I feel like the for the most part. They've got a better chance to win than they did last year. Let's put it that way. I think you're going to see some pretty good outings from some young guys who have a lot to prove,
Starting point is 00:20:35 but I don't know where the offense is going to come from. I'm really nervous about that. If you look at spring stats, which take them for what they're worth, because, you know, you've got a lot of people who are playing in these games, but the pitching has been outstanding. And then the heading has been, you know, bottom third in the league so far in the spring. So take it for what it's worth, but you got to be somewhat impressed from what you've seen from not only the starting rotation guys, but a lot of these fulpin guys that are going to have major roles with the team in 2026. How are the guys in the WBC doing? Because now that they're not here, if you're not watching them in the WBC, you're like, wait, wait, how many we? There's eight guys that are off of the WBC that are in the Cardinals organization.
Starting point is 00:21:20 And a few of them have been opening up some eyes. I'll tell you how they're doing next next plus injury news on Hunter Dobbins. House is rehab coming along. We'll talk about it next on Lockdown Cardinals. Hey, this is Jeff Carr from Lockdown, Reds. And you know, I've reached the point in my life where my wife and I are looking toward the future. We've got the house.
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Starting point is 00:23:44 L-O-C-E-D-O-N for $20 off. L-C-E-D-O-N for $20. Thanks again for making it locked on Cardinals, your first listen of the day. Thank you for making locked on the number one sports podcast network. So the Cardinals are eight players in the WBC. So let's run through these guys real quick. We're going to start with Leo Bernal, who is leading team Panama in hits. Going four for 14. That's 286 batting average to you and me with a run.
Starting point is 00:24:22 He's got a stolen base as well. Yvonne Herrera, if you remember, was supposed to be on that team as the DH as well, but couldn't get insured. Panama only one and two so far in pool play. My guy Luis Gastilum is with Mexico. He's only gotten in one game so far, one third of an inning under his belt. One hit, they'll be facing Team USA on Monday night
Starting point is 00:24:43 with both teams at 2 and 0, so that should be fun. Gordon Grecepo and Thomas Chetasy, all are on team Italy, who was also 2-1-0, Gricepho through one inning, allowing one hit and a walk, but he struck out three, which was great. Showed some attitude when he came off the mound, too,
Starting point is 00:25:00 which was awesome. I love seeing my dudes. especially my bullpen guys with a little bit of fire. I like that. Meanwhile, Sejacy's had a tough go, 0 for 5, two strikeouts so far. Outfielder Matt Keperniak is on Great Britain. They're 0 and 3 so far,
Starting point is 00:25:14 but Coperniac isn't the problem. He's won for five, three strikeouts, but he's also walked four times, so he's been getting on base, but they have not been able to get a win and pool play. Zach Levinson and Noah Menlinger are on team Israel, who has gone one-on-one so far. They are both tied.
Starting point is 00:25:30 They've had a good start here, both tied for the team lead in hits. Levinson's three for seven with two ribbies, a walk and three strikeouts, while Menlinger is three for six with one run, one run scored, one RBI, and a walk. And last but not least, we got Brian Torres with Puerto Rico, who is two and oh so far. Torres has only had three at bats.
Starting point is 00:25:49 He's one for three with a run scored and a walk and a strikeout. Former Cardinal Nolan Aronado also on that team, 0 for six so far with one RBI. I Wilson Catreras is on team Venezuela, two for four, two RBIs. And one of the players that the Cardinals got in return for him in that trade with the Boston Red Sox was pitcher Hunter Dobbins. If you remember, you haven't seen him yet, though, right? Because he is still coming back from the ACL injury that knocked him out last year prematurely. Apparently things are going well, progressing here.
Starting point is 00:26:25 reportedly scheduled to throw five innings in a controlled setting later this week. So that is great news. I think you guys are going to be pretty impressed with Hunter Dobbins when you do finally get to see him on the mound. He's got some good stuff, man. I thought like just looking when the trades happened, I thought Dobbins was the better pitcher than Richard Fitz. And we've seen what Richard Fitz has done so far this spring. So I have high hopes for Hunter Dobbins as a St. Louis Cardinal.
Starting point is 00:26:53 Speaking of Richard Fitz, we got split squad out. action scheduled for Monday. Orioles coming to Roger Dean Stadium and Jupiter while the other half will face the Astros in West Palm Beach. Matthew Libertor will get the start against Baltimore, while Richard Fitz is getting that start against Houston. He's been very impressive. So is Libby. Both of them have been very impressive so far this spring. Both of these games will be starting at 1205 St. Louis time, but only the home game with Libby getting the start is actually going to be televised. So do with that information what you must. But I'll be watching the game. And if you want to follow along on social media while we watch that game, by all means, give us a follow.
Starting point is 00:27:32 Thanks for making Locked on Cardinals. Your first listen every day. If you haven't already, give us a follow on X at L.O underscore Cardinals and at JD Sports Radio. We're on TikTok and Instagram as well, locked on Cardinals. If you haven't seen the shorts and the reels that we've been posting, please check those out. Like, subscribe on YouTube. Last check, we were five subscribers away from 13.9. thousand. So we're trying to get to the 14,000 mark before opening day. I think we can do it.
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