Catcher of Cardinals team honored for exceptional defensive skills
Pedro Pages Takes Hold of St. Louis Cardinals' Catching Position
The St. Louis Cardinals have been hunting for a steady hand behind the plate since Yadier Molina called it quits. They initially pegged Willson Contreras as the perfect successor, but the 2023 debacle made it crystal clear that he fell short of their sky-high expectations. Following Contreras’ shift to first base, the team's next dream for a day-to-day catcher was Ivan Herrera. While Herrera showed potential at the plate, his shaky defense and weak arm left something to be desired. Now, mostly serving as the designated hitter, Herrera is sidelined due to a leg injury.
The man who seems to be the Cardinals' saving grace is Pedro Pages. Pages has shown that he can connect with major league pitching, but his defensive game needed some ironing out. After taking near-full control of the catcher position following Herrera's injury absence, Pages has made leaps and bounds on defense this season. His defensive prowess even earned him a spot amongst Sports Info Solutions' three Defensive Players of the Month for May.
By the numbers, Pages is pacing the league in catcher defense. He has eight defensive runs saved, topping the charts and trailing only Patrick Bailey and Alejandro Kirk in this category. He's also snared 8 of 32 basestealers, boasting a solid 25% rate. Moreover, Pages has formed a robust partnership with Cardinals ace Sonny Gray, who sports a 2.32 ERA when Pages is his catcher.
Although Pages' value is primarily defensive, he's managed to hold his ground offensively in 2025, batting .239 until a recent slump saw him average just .103 in his last 29 at-bats. Regardless, his knack for working well with pitchers is invaluable, and his clubhouse reputation as a friendly player that others flock to cannot be overemphasized.
It's possible that some fans have overlooked Pages' rapid growth behind the plate, but his skills could be a critical factor in the team's impressive performance this year. Although the Cardinals boast a stacked roster of catchers waiting in the wings, if Pages keeps excelling defensively, they may decide to ride him as their long-term solution.
Pedro Pages: A Defensive Specialist with Room to Grow
Although Pages has shown remarkable improvement, he's yet to establish himself as a long-term solution for the Cardinals' catcher woes. His offensive output remains limited, averaging .233 this season, making him less appealing in fantasy leagues[1][2]. Additionally, lingering concerns about the team’s other options, including Ivan Herrera and prospect Jimmy Crooks, could affect Pages' long-term role[5].
While Pages' defensive skills have been crucial for the Cardinals, his limited offense and the presence of other talented catchers make it uncertain whether he will cement his spot in the team's future plans. For now, though, he's serving as a stabilizing force behind the plate.
Pedro Pages' stellar defensive performance in the MLB, highlighted by his impressive catcher defense and base stealing prowess, has been indispensable for the St. Louis Cardinals this season. His defensive contributions have positioned him among the top catchers in the league, potentially securing his role in the team, at least temporarily, despite concerns about his offensive output and long-term viability.
