Young Cardinals Star Draws Eye-Opening Comparison to Albert Pujols
Ivan Herrera is quickly becoming a must-watch hitter for the St. Louis Cardinals. Boasting a .385 batting average and ranking among the league’s top offensive performers, the 24-year-old catcher has caught the attention of longtime Cardinals writer and “Cardinal Territory” podcast host Bernie Miklasz. During a recent episode with co-host Katie Woo, Miklasz made a thinly veiled comparison between Herrera and Cardinals legend Albert Pujols.
While Miklasz stopped short of naming Pujols directly, he alluded to “a guy I first met in 2001” and tempered expectations with a reminder not to get carried away. Still, the implication was clear—he sees shades of Pujols in Herrera’s game.
Miklasz pointed out that the similarities lie more in approach and presence than in accomplishments. Herrera, like Pujols in his early years, exudes confidence at the plate, blending power, contact ability, and a sharp batting eye. He currently leads MLB in wRC+ (254) among players with at least 40 plate appearances, just edging out Aaron Judge. Since returning from injury on May 9, Herrera is hitting .389 and has recorded nine extra-base hits in just 12 games.
While the Pujols comparison grabs headlines, a more grounded parallel might be Allen Craig, a former Cardinals slugger who was a dependable middle-of-the-order presence before injuries derailed his career. Craig, like Herrera, was a well-rounded hitter developed within the organization.
However, unlike Pujols, who earned two Gold Gloves at first base, Herrera’s defensive game is still a work in progress. He has struggled to control the running game in 2025, allowing seven stolen bases without recording a single caught stealing. This raises the possibility of a future position switch, perhaps even a move to designated hitter, though the Cardinals aren’t ready to make that call just yet. They’ve seen what defensive development can do—Jordan Walker being a prime example.
Although it’s unlikely Herrera will ever replicate Pujols’ Hall of Fame-caliber career, his offensive prowess gives him a chance to become one of the most exciting homegrown talents the Cardinals have produced in years.
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