#5 - C Jimmy Crooks
Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 30 | Arm: 55 | Field: 60 | Overall: 45+
Background:
Crooks was the Cardinals’ fourth-round pick in the 2022 Draft. He played his college ball at the University of Oklahoma, where he was a steady presence behind the dish and one of the most well-liked players to come out of the program in recent years. Known for his strong leadership and outstanding baseball IQ, Crooks embodies the values the Cardinals organization consistently prioritizes at the catcher position.
Scouting Report:
Crooks is one of the premier line-drive hitters in the Cardinals organization. He has a natural knack for finding the sweet spot and avoiding mishits, giving him one of the strongest batted-ball profiles in the system. His contact rates are decent, but they play up significantly thanks to his elite BABIP skills and advanced feel for placement.
His game power projects around average. While he’s not a major home run threat, he does flash some raw juice—recording a 90th percentile exit velocity of 104 mph in 2024. A considerable amount of his impact comes on line drives, but when he gets lift, there’s enough thump to tap into potentially average power production.
Defensively, Crooks is a strong receiver with the potential to be a plus framer and blocker at the next level. He’s equipped with a solid arm and is capable of producing plus pop times. More importantly, he’s built a strong reputation as a game manager—pitchers trust him, and he shows the ability to tailor game plans around their strengths. His presence, leadership, and feel for managing a staff are consistently praised by his teammates and coaches.
The biggest area for growth in Crooks’ offensive game is his ability to handle spin. He still shows inconsistencies against offspeed and breaking pitches, which could become more problematic against advanced arms at the next level. If those struggles persist, his contact rate could regress from average to fringy, putting even more pressure on his BABIP-driven profile. He made strides against left-handed pitching in 2024, but questions remain about how well that success will translate—especially considering his issues against spin. Crooks also lacks adjustability in the box, making improved patience and plate discipline all the more important moving forward.
Future:
Crooks projects as a left-handed platoon catcher with plus defensive value, strong intangibles, and the baseball IQ to manage a pitching staff at the big-league level. Even if the bat doesn’t fully come around, his glove and leadership skills give him a solid floor as a reliable backup. His 2025 season at Triple-A will be pivotal in determining whether there’s everyday upside in the offensive profile.
