Reigning Texas League (AA) MVP Jimmy Crooks II, the Cardinals’ 4th round pick in the 2022 draft, is collecting rbis like they owe him money. 68 rbis in 80 games. That’s a 138 rbi / 162 games pace for those keeping score at home. Albert Pujols’ best season was 137 rbis, albeit in 143 games (that’s actually insane). Joe Torre is the best comp at 137 rbis in 161 games, in 1971. He was pretty good.

Yes yes, it’s a fluke you say.

Let’s check. Last year? 112 rbi pace.

The year before? 102.

And here’s a video of him hitting a HR tonight. The man is a machine.

And he keeps getting better. He’ll probably have 200 at St Louis next year. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

3 comments

  1. A LH hitting catcher too! It’s been over a decade since our last one, Cards legend Cody Stanley.

  2. He’s apparently got a 55 glove and 60 arm. For comparison, Pages was 55 glove and 55 arm, which is also what Leonardo Bernal is rated as but he is a switch hitter. Cardinals have a lot of catchers

  3. His splits with Runners on vs Empty are fascinating. Under .600 OPS vs over 1.000 OPS.

    Might as well be a call up in September, it’s obvious Pages isn’t a full time starter in the big leagues, he’s a serviceable back up at best. I would predict Crooks is slightly better. Let Crooks have a chance next season until Bernal is ready (then repeat with Rainel if necessary). Crazy how much depth they have

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