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) expected to see early DH time

Herrera (elbow) was confined to designated hitter duties during the final months of last season due to elbow problems and defensive concerns. He underwent elbow surgery during the offseason.

Fantasy Impact

He made his first start at catcher this spring on Sunday against Pittsburgh in a Grapefruit League game. Herrera's goal is to return to catching as his primary position in 2026. Pedro Pages will serve as St. Louis' main catcher to open the season, with Herrera projected to receive the majority of his early-season at-bats as the designated hitter. The organization does not anticipate determining Herrera's catching workload by the conclusion of spring training.