Herrera's historic hat trick shows peak of potential for Cards

ST. LOUIS -- Days like Wednesday, when Iván Herrera basically used the second and third decks at Busch Stadium as target practice for his record-setting, three-homer spree, are ones when the Cardinals dare to dream about a time when the 24-year-old catcher can be in their lineup on an everyday basis.

After all, Herrera’s potential as an elite hitter -- as evidenced by Wednesday’s historic performance in a 12-5 win over the Angels -- can be downright breathtaking at times to watch.

Herrera, who has been widely considered to be one of the best young hitters in the organization for years, became the first catcher in the 144-year history of the Cardinals to hit three homers in a game. That’s something neither Hall of Famer Ted Simmons nor World Series MVP Darrell Porter accomplished in St. Louis. Hall of Fame announcers and Cards backstops Tim McCarver and Bob Uecker never got near that feat. Neither did Yadier Molina, the icon who Herrera idolized while growing up in Panama and who made him want to be a Cardinal years ago.

“It’s amazing to do something that’s never [been] done before,” said Herrera, whose eyes grew misty and his voice wavered because of the emotion he was feeling. “All the grinding that you did during your career … growing up I didn’t have any money or anything and now being able to accomplish these things, it means a lot for me, for my family and for my country.

“A lot of [Panamanian] kids see me as an idol -- the way that I saw Molina. I’m just trying to be an example for the guys coming up from Panama.”

Herrera, the Cardinals Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2023, went a projected 395, 414 and 425 feet with his three home runs and the three exit velocities registered at 101.2, 112.1 and 110.7 mph, per Statcast. He has only been limited in recent years by his struggles with controlling the running game. He threw out just four of 59 basestealers in 2024 and he’s yet to nab a runner in 2025 in five tries. Herrera has been working in recent weeks at throwing from his knees to speed up his release times, something that gives the Cardinals hope that they can keep his bat in the lineup.

“He’s a confident kid, regardless of how it’s going, and he just carries himself that way,” said Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol, whose team has had at least 10 hits in six straight games -- one shy of a franchise record. “He’s hit his whole career. No one knows what his ceiling looks like, but it’s high.”

Teammate Willson Contreras’ advice to Herrera about his defensive woes: “Control what you can control. … What he’s able to do with his bat is better than anything [defensively].”

Masyn Winn and Contreras broke long hitless skids on Wednesday, but the day will be remembered for Herrera’s accomplishments -- the good and bad. In the third inning, while trying to throw the baseball to pitcher Sonny Gray, Herrera accidentally drilled Angels shortstop Nicky Lopez in the helmet. Later, after hitting the titanic third home run that landed near the top of the third deck, Herrera ran out to the field before being stopped by bench coach Daniel Descalso, who alerted him there were just two outs.

Herrera could be forgiven for the bloopers considering the amount of emotion and adrenaline that was coursing throughout his body following the historic performance. His mother, Dona, has been his strongest supporter for years when he got his big-league shots in 2022, ’23 and ’24 – only to be demoted to Triple-A Memphis each time. Dona, who regularly hosts watch parties at her home in Panama City, received a call from her son as soon as he left the playing surface.

“I called my mom, and she was so happy,” Herrera said. “She was about to cry, and I cried a little bit. My mom supported me, and my father supported me all the way. It wasn’t easy and I almost didn’t decide to play pro baseball. I chose the Cardinals over [more] money because Yadier Molina was here, and I still say that’s one of the best catchers in the game.

“To the people that loved watching [Molina], I’m trying to get the defense to that level one day.”

If he does, watch out, Winn said.

“He hit like .330 the year we played together in Triple-A, and he was way ahead of that league,” Winn raved. “I’m not surprised because that dude catches barrels and he won the Minor League Player of the Year for a reason. That dude hits and it’s impressive.”