Ivan Herrera

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #6 prospect in 2024
  BA Grade: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Signed out of Panama for $200,000 in July 2016, Herrera has hit his way up the Cardinals’ minor league ladder, seeing major league time in each of the past two seasons. He hit .297 with a .409 on-base percentage over his limited MLB action in 2023. After producing a .951 OPS, which led all Triple-A catchers with at least 300 plate appearances, Herrera was selected as an International League all-star.
  
  Scouting Report: A stocky backstop with no physical projection remaining, Herrera’s profile is driven by his above-average contact skills and patient approach. His approach borders on overly passive, but he has a history of producing elite walk rates. He rarely expands the zone and consistently makes contact when he does swing. He shows above-average raw power but has yet to fully tap into it in games. Herrera makes a high rate of opposite-field contact and a majority of his best-hit balls come in the form of line drives or hard hit ground balls. Herrera hits lefthanders well and has no platoon split issues. He’s an average receiver and blocker with a fringe-average arm. His throwing improved slightly in 2023, as did his blocking and receiving following an injury-plagued 2022. Herrera has a balance of skills that allow him to do a little of everything well. If he can find more over-the-fence power without sacrificing his contact skills, he could unlock another gear at the plate.
  
  The Future: Herrera is a low-risk catcher with above-average hitting and on-base ability. He should be in the mix for a share of catching duties with the Cardinals in 2024. He will vie for time with Willson Contreras and Andrew Knizner to be the long-term answer at catcher.
  
  Scouting Grades Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Field: 50 | Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #8 prospect in 2023
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Herrera signed out of Panama for $200,000 days after the July 2 signing period opened in 2016. He was a Dominican Summer League all-star in 2017. Over the next two seasons, Herrera proved to be one of the better contact and on-base hitters in the Cardinals' system. He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site and was assigned to Double-A Springfield out of camp in 2021, reaching Triple-A for a game by year's end. After a down season offensively in 2021, Herrera returned to Triple-A Memphis out of camp in 2022. He responded with a solid season, while spending a month with the major league team as Yadier Molina's understudy.
  
  Scouting Report: A stout, stocky player with plenty of physical strength, Herrera has limited athleticism and twitch. Despite his stiff physical nature, his game is predicated on his above-average contact skills and on-base ability. Herrera deploys a level swing that leads to lots of grounders. He runs high contact rates and rarely expands the zone. While his exit velocity data is fringy, Herrera showed improvements to his 90th percentile exit velocity, hinting at average raw power. In games, his average power rarely flashes, and Herrera projects to hit 10-14 home runs over a full season. His low-end speed limits his numbers because he is unlikely to beat out any infield grounders. Behind the plate, Herrera has regressed as both a receiver and thrower, and he caught just 18% of basestealers in 2022. He is likely to stick at catcher, but as the offensively slanted side of a platoon.
  
  The Future: After being pushed aggressively over the past two seasons, Herrera has a year to adjust and catch up in 2023, when he likely will split time once again between Triple-A Memphis and St. Louis.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Run: 20. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #5 prospect in 2022
  Track Record: Herrera signed with the Cardinals for $200,000 when he was 16 and immediately became one of the most productive hitters in their system. He spent 2020 spring training learning under Yadier Molina’s tutelage and was invited to the Cardinals alternate training site in the summer. Herrera jumped to Double-A in 2021 and experienced his first offensive struggles with a career-worst .229/.342/.403 slash line, but he still hit 17 home runs and earned a promotion to Triple-A Memphis for his last game of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Known for his above-average hitting ability, Herrera has a compact swing and makes solid contact. He has a good approach at the plate and does a good job of controlling the strike zone with low chase rates. Herrera posts low exit velocities and doesn’t hit the ball very hard with fringe-average power, but he makes so much contact he is still able to pick up extra-base hits. Herrera’s defense behind the plate is further behind. His receiving regressed during the coronavirus shutdown and he struggled with drops throughout the 2021 season. At his best, Herrera flashes good hands, moves well and has average arm strength, but he has long demonstrated a lack of focus and intensity that prevents him from performing up to his capabilities of being an above-average defender.
  
  The Future: Herrera will have to improve his defense to be Yadier Molina’s successor as the Cardinals catcher. He will still be only 21 when he begins next season at Triple-A and has plenty of time to rebound both offensively and defensively from a difficult 2021.
  
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #4 prospect in 2021
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Herrera earned an invitation to big league spring training in 2020 and took advantage of the opportunity to work with his boyhood hero Yadier Molina. Herrera stayed attached to the hip of the Cardinals great, whether it was early work in the batting cage at spring training or picking Molina’s brain at summer camp. Herrera spent the summer at the Cardinals’ alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: While Herrera worked with Molina on how to run a pitching staff, his bat is his calling card. He is one of the best hitters in the Cardinals’ system with a compact swing that is geared for contact and hard line drives. His exit velocities have steadily improved as he’s gotten stronger and he’ll flash above-average to plus raw power. Defensively, Herrera is a student of the game and has a tick above-average hands, which should allow him to present pitches well. His blocking and receiving still show signs of his youth, but he moves well and should eventually be at least an above-average defender. He’s steadily improved his throwing mechanics, although his pop times are fringe-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera’s well-rounded skill set, excellent makeup and grinder mentality make him the team’s likely catcher of the future.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #6 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: A veteran of Panama's junior national teams, Herrera signed with the Cardinals for $200,000 in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the system's top hitters. He hit .335 in the Dominican Summer League and .348 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to start his career, then jumped to full-season ball in 2019 and hit .286 with an .805 OPS as the third-youngest player in the low Class A Midwest League on Opening Day. He finished the year at high Class A Palm Beach.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Herrera is an offensive catcher who makes frequent contact with a compact, righthanded swing. He is short to the ball, rarely swings and misses in the strike zone and lines the ball to all fields. He continues to get stronger and has a chance to hit 12-15 home runs as he fills out. Herrera has the strong, athletic frame to catch and is willing to learn, but his blocking and receiving are inconsistent and his above-average arm strength plays down with a slow release. He threw out 31 percent of basestealers in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera will be just 19 on Opening Day and has lots of time to polish his game. He has the upside of an everyday catcher who can provide impact on both sides of the ball.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #21 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: Herrera signed for $200,000 out of Panama in 2016. He hit .335 in the Dominican Summer League in his pro debut, and in 2018 he hit .348/.423/.500 in the Gulf Coast League.
  
  Scouting Report: Herrera is an offensive catcher with one of the purest swings in the system. He has a quick, compact stroke that is direct to the ball, and his efficient swing path helps him both turn around velocity and square up breaking pitches. His power is mostly to the gaps with his flat-line drive stroke, but evaluators expect him to grow into 10-15 home runs as he fills out physically. Herrera is built to catch with a broad back, thick legs and a blue-collar mindset, but his skills are behind. He has fringe-average arm strength and his overall game awareness is lacking, particularly in controlling the run game. His blocking and receiving were problematic, resulting in seven passed balls in 20 games.
  
  The Future: Herrera has work to do behind the plate, but the Cardinals are optimistic he'll get there. He has a chance to see full-season ball as a 19-year-old.
• 
  Ranked St. Louis Cardinals #31 prospect in 2018
  Herrera made a name for himself performing well on the international tournament circuit for Panama as a teenager, and the Cardinals signed him for $200,000 in the first week of the 2016 international signing period. Herrera didn't turn 17 until two days before the Dominican Summer League season started but was still one of its best performers, finishing in the top 10 in both batting average (.335) and on-base percentage (.425). Herrera is an offense-first catcher with a compact, righthanded swing that is short to the ball. He hits the ball hard consistently--both pull-side and up the middle--and lifts it enough to project for double-digit home run power in the future. Defensively, Herrera is built well for a receiver with a broad back and thick legs. He has adequate hands, good instincts and an above-average arm, showing enough of a foundation to stay behind the plate. His blocking and footwork need improvement, but no more than any other 17-year-old. He's ahead of his peers in his work ethic and feel for the game. Herrera will make the move to the U.S. in 2018 and show his skills in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked Florida Complex League #10 prospect in 2018
  For an 18-year-old, Herrera already has a strong track record of hitting. He was a standout hitter at international tournaments for Panama before signing with the Cardinals for $200,000 in 2016, then kept it up last year as a Top 20 prospect in the Dominican Summer League. He performed even better in the GCL, standing out as a pure hitter with a sweet swing and a chance to stick behind the plate. He’s a balanced hitter without much wasted movement in his quick, compact stroke. Herrera’s efficient swing helps him barrel up fastballs and adjust to square up breaking pitches as well with a flat, line-drive path. His power is mostly to the gaps, though he has enough projection to grow into 10-15 home run power. Herrera is an offensive-minded player who should be able to stay at catcher, but his defense needs improvement. He has a fringe-average arm and had trouble with his blocking and receiving.

• February, 2023 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Herrera signed out of Panama for $200,000 days after the July 2 signing period opened in 2016. He was a Dominican Summer League all-star in 2017. Over the next two seasons, Herrera proved to be one of the better contact and on-base hitters in the Cardinals' system. He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site and was assigned to Double-A Springfield out of camp in 2021, reaching Triple-A for a game by year's end. After a down season offensively in 2021, Herrera returned to Triple-A Memphis out of camp in 2022. He responded with a solid season, while spending a month with the major league team as Yadier Molina's understudy.
  
  Scouting Report: A stout, stocky player with plenty of physical strength, Herrera has limited athleticism and twitch. Despite his stiff physical nature, his game is predicated on his above-average contact skills and on-base ability. Herrera deploys a level swing that leads to lots of grounders. He runs high contact rates and rarely expands the zone. While his exit velocity data is fringy, Herrera showed improvements to his 90th percentile exit velocity, hinting at average raw power. In games, his average power rarely flashes, and Herrera projects to hit 10-14 home runs over a full season. His low-end speed limits his numbers because he is unlikely to beat out any infield grounders. Behind the plate, Herrera has regressed as both a receiver and thrower, and he caught just 18% of basestealers in 2022. He is likely to stick at catcher, but as the offensively slanted side of a platoon.
  
  The Future: After being pushed aggressively over the past two seasons, Herrera has a year to adjust and catch up in 2023, when he likely will split time once again between Triple-A Memphis and St. Louis.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Run: 20. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45
• December, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/Medium
  
  Track Record: Herrera signed out of Panama for $200,000 days after the July 2 signing period opened in 2016. He was a Dominican Summer League all-star in 2017. Over the next two seasons, Herrera proved to be one of the better contact and on-base hitters in the Cardinals' system. He spent the 2020 season at the alternate training site and was assigned to Double-A Springfield out of camp in 2021, reaching Triple-A for a game by year's end. After a down season offensively in 2021, Herrera returned to Triple-A Memphis out of camp in 2022. He responded with a solid season, while spending a month with the major league team as Yadier Molina's understudy.
  
  Scouting Report: A stout, stocky player with plenty of physical strength, Herrera has limited athleticism and twitch. Despite his stiff physical nature, his game is predicated on his above-average contact skills and on-base ability. Herrera deploys a level swing that leads to lots of grounders. He runs high contact rates and rarely expands the zone. While his exit velocity data is fringy, Herrera showed improvements to his 90th percentile exit velocity, hinting at average raw power. In games, his average power rarely flashes, and Herrera projects to hit 10-14 home runs over a full season. His low-end speed limits his numbers because he is unlikely to beat out any infield grounders. Behind the plate, Herrera has regressed as both a receiver and thrower, and he caught just 18% of basestealers in 2022. He is likely to stick at catcher, but as the offensively slanted side of a platoon.
  
  The Future: After being pushed aggressively over the past two seasons, Herrera has a year to adjust and catch up in 2023, when he likely will split time once again between Triple-A Memphis and St. Louis.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hitting: 60. Power: 40. Run: 20. Fielding: 45. Arm: 45
• April, 2022 Scouting Report
  BA Grade: 50/High
  
  Track Record: Herrera signed with the Cardinals for $200,000 when he was 16 and immediately became one of the most productive hitters in their system. He spent 2020 spring training learning under Yadier Molina&#39s tutelage and was invited to the Cardinals alternate training site in the summer. Herrera jumped to Double-A in 2021 and experienced his first offensive struggles with a career-worst .229/.342/.403 slash line, but he still hit 17 home runs and earned a promotion to Triple-A Memphis for his last game of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Known for his above-average hitting ability, Herrera has a compact swing and makes solid contact. He has a good approach at the plate and does a good job of controlling the strike zone with low chase rates. Herrera posts low exit velocities and doesn&#39t hit the ball very hard with fringe-average power, but he makes so much contact he is still able to pick up extra-base hits. Herrera&#39s defense behind the plate is further behind. His receiving regressed during the coronavirus shutdown and he struggled with drops throughout the 2021 season. At his best, Herrera flashes good hands, moves well and has average arm strength, but he has long demonstrated a lack of focus and intensity that prevents him from performing up to his capabilities of being an above-average defender.
  
  Scouting Grades:Hit: 55. Power: 45. Speed: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
• December, 2021 Scouting Report
  Track Record: Herrera signed with the Cardinals for $200,000 when he was 16 and immediately became one of the most productive hitters in their system. He spent 2020 spring training learning under Yadier Molina’s tutelage and was invited to the Cardinals alternate training site in the summer. Herrera jumped to Double-A in 2021 and experienced his first offensive struggles with a career-worst .229/.342/.403 slash line, but he still hit 17 home runs and earned a promotion to Triple-A Memphis for his last game of the season.
  
  Scouting Report: Known for his above-average hitting ability, Herrera has a compact swing and makes solid contact. He has a good approach at the plate and does a good job of controlling the strike zone with low chase rates. Herrera posts low exit velocities and doesn’t hit the ball very hard with fringe-average power, but he makes so much contact he is still able to pick up extra-base hits. Herrera’s defense behind the plate is further behind. His receiving regressed during the coronavirus shutdown and he struggled with drops throughout the 2021 season. At his best, Herrera flashes good hands, moves well and has average arm strength, but he has long demonstrated a lack of focus and intensity that prevents him from performing up to his capabilities of being an above-average defender.
  
  The Future: Herrera will have to improve his defense to be Yadier Molina’s successor as the Cardinals catcher. He will still be only 21 when he begins next season at Triple-A and has plenty of time to rebound both offensively and defensively from a difficult 2021.
  
• July, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Herrera earned an invitation to big league spring training in 2020 and took advantage of the opportunity to work with his boyhood hero Yadier Molina. Herrera stayed attached to the hip of the Cardinals great, whether it was early work in the batting cage at spring training or picking Molina's brain at summer camp. Herrera spent the summer at the Cardinals' alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: While Herrera worked with Molina on how to run a pitching staff, his bat is his calling card. He is one of the best hitters in the Cardinals' system with a compact swing that is geared for contact and hard line drives. His exit velocities have steadily improved as he's gotten stronger and he'll flash above-average to plus raw power. Defensively, Herrera is a student of the game and has a tick above-average hands, which should allow him to present pitches well. His blocking and receiving still show signs of his youth, but he moves well and should eventually be at least an above-average defender. He's steadily improved his throwing mechanics, although his pop times are fringe-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera's well-rounded skill set, excellent makeup and grinder mentality make him the team's likely catcher of the future.
• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Herrera earned an invitation to big league spring training in 2020 and took advantage of the opportunity to work with his boyhood hero Yadier Molina. Herrera stayed attached to the hip of the Cardinals great, whether it was early work in the batting cage at spring training or picking Molina’s brain at summer camp. Herrera spent the summer at the Cardinals’ alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: While Herrera worked with Molina on how to run a pitching staff, his bat is his calling card. He is one of the best hitters in the Cardinals’ system with a compact swing that is geared for contact and hard line drives. His exit velocities have steadily improved as he’s gotten stronger and he’ll flash above-average to plus raw power. Defensively, Herrera is a student of the game and has a tick above-average hands, which should allow him to present pitches well. His blocking and receiving still show signs of his youth, but he moves well and should eventually be at least an above-average defender. He’s steadily improved his throwing mechanics, although his pop times are fringe-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera’s well-rounded skill set, excellent makeup and grinder mentality make him the team’s likely catcher of the future.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  Hitting: 55. Power: 45. Running: 30. Fielding: 55. Arm: 50.
  
  TRACK RECORD: Herrera earned an invitation to big league spring training in 2020 and took advantage of the opportunity to work with his boyhood hero Yadier Molina. Herrera stayed attached to the hip of the Cardinals great, whether it was early work in the batting cage at spring training or picking Molina’s brain at summer camp. Herrera spent the summer at the Cardinals’ alternate training site.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: While Herrera worked with Molina on how to run a pitching staff, his bat is his calling card. He is one of the best hitters in the Cardinals’ system with a compact swing that is geared for contact and hard line drives. His exit velocities have steadily improved as he’s gotten stronger and he’ll flash above-average to plus raw power. Defensively, Herrera is a student of the game and has a tick above-average hands, which should allow him to present pitches well. His blocking and receiving still show signs of his youth, but he moves well and should eventually be at least an above-average defender. He’s steadily improved his throwing mechanics, although his pop times are fringe-average.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera’s well-rounded skill set, excellent makeup and grinder mentality make him the team’s likely catcher of the future.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A veteran of Panama’s junior national teams, Herrera signed with the Cardinals for $200,000 in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the system’s top hitters. He hit .335 in the Dominican Summer League and .348 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to start his career, then jumped to full-season ball in 2019 and hit .286 with an .805 OPS as the third-youngest player in the low Class A Midwest League on Opening Day. He finished the year at high Class A Palm Beach.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Herrera is an offensive catcher who makes frequent contact with a compact, righthanded swing. He is short to the ball, rarely swings and misses in the strike zone and lines the ball to all fields. He continues to get stronger and has a chance to hit 12-15 home runs as he fills out. Herrera has the strong, athletic frame to catch and is willing to learn, but his blocking and receiving are inconsistent and his above-average arm strength plays down with a slow release. He threw out 31 percent of basestealers in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera will be just 19 on Opening Day and has lots of time to polish his game. He has the upside of an everyday catcher who can provide impact on both sides of the ball.
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A veteran of Panama's junior national teams, Herrera signed with the Cardinals for $200,000 in 2016 and quickly established himself as one of the system's top hitters. He hit .335 in the Dominican Summer League and .348 in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League to start his career, then jumped to full-season ball in 2019 and hit .286 with an .805 OPS as the third-youngest player in the low Class A Midwest League on Opening Day. He finished the year at high Class A Palm Beach.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Herrera is an offensive catcher who makes frequent contact with a compact, righthanded swing. He is short to the ball, rarely swings and misses in the strike zone and lines the ball to all fields. He continues to get stronger and has a chance to hit 12-15 home runs as he fills out. Herrera has the strong, athletic frame to catch and is willing to learn, but his blocking and receiving are inconsistent and his above-average arm strength plays down with a slow release. He threw out 31 percent of basestealers in 2019.
  
  THE FUTURE: Herrera will be just 19 on Opening Day and has lots of time to polish his game. He has the upside of an everyday catcher who can provide impact on both sides of the ball.