During a recent game, the Marlins' swift player, Esteury Ruiz, successfully singled and then stole second base in the eighth inning. This play proved to be a critical moment for the opposing Cardinals, as Ruiz's quick dash into scoring position allowed him to score shortly after, breaking a scoreless tie when Graham Pauley hit a double.
However, the larger concern for the Cardinals stemmed from the fact that Ruiz's stolen base marked the 45th consecutive successful steal against catcher Ivan Herrera over the past two seasons. Despite having undergone surgery to address a painful right elbow and dedicating his offseason to refining his throwing technique, Herrera has not managed to throw out a single base runner in 2026. In 30 games this season, while maintaining a clean record in terms of errors and passed balls, he has seen all 22 attempted base steals against him succeed. This extended a streak that dates back to September 1, 2024, when he last caught a runner attempting to steal, former Yankee star Juan Soto.
Despite his difficulties with preventing stolen bases, Herrera remains an indispensable asset to the Cardinals lineup. At 26 years old, he has been a consistent presence, splitting his time between catching and serving as a designated hitter, making him the only Cardinals player to appear in all 80 games this season. His offensive contributions are notable, with 21 hit-by-pitches leading MLB, propelling him to tie for second in the National League for on-base percentage at .402, trailing only Shohei Ohtani. Herrera's impressive batting line also includes 13 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, 35 RBIs, a .258 batting average, a .415 slugging percentage, and an .816 OPS. The team strategically manages his playing time, as evidenced by his role as a designated hitter on Saturday night, allowing him to rest after catching the previous game, and accommodating a rotation change that saw Andre Pallante start in place of Dustin May.
While Herrera’s offensive prowess and resilience are undeniable, the team's struggles with base-stealing prevention point to a broader catching challenge. Pedro Pages, despite losing his primary catching role due to offensive performance, has demonstrated superior arm strength, throwing out 14 of 44 base stealers in 346 1/3 innings, one of the best percentages in MLB. Conversely, Jimmy Crooks, recently promoted from Triple-A, has yet to record a caught stealing, with all five attempts against him this season proving successful. This disparity highlights the need for the Cardinals to find a balance between offensive production and defensive capabilities behind the plate.