Ivan Herrera

Ivan Herrera followed up his 2024 breakout with another step forward in 2025, logging 452 plate appearances and posting a .284/.373/.464 line with 19 home runs and a 140 Rbat+. His gains were backed by skills growth: a career-best 18.6% strikeout rate, 9.5% walk rate and 91.2 mph average exit velocity, along with a jump to a .180 ISO. While his BABIP dipped to .315, his rOBA (.372) and hard-hit rate (48.2%) supported the production, reinforcing that the bat is driving the value rather than batted-ball luck. The 2026 projections maintain him as an above-average offensive catcher with mid-to-high teens power and strong on-base skills, though a full repeat of last year's efficiency likely regresses slightly. Even with modest pull and fly-ball rates, Herrera's improving contact quality and stable plate discipline give him one of the higher offensive floors at the position. He only had 14 appearances at catcher in 2025, so check your league's position eligibility or prepare to have him only as a DH for a while into 2026.

Ivan Herrera (elbow) to catch Sunday

Herrera (elbow) had bone spurs surgically removed from his elbow in November. The issue confined him to designated hitter duties during the final months of last season.

Fantasy Impact

He will make his spring debut Thursday as the designated hitter. Manager Oliver Marmol said Thursday that Herrera will start at catcher on Sunday for his first Grapefruit League appearance behind the plate. Herrera is working his way back to catching this season.