The St. Louis Cardinals have promoted catcher Jimmy Crooks and outfielder/designated hitter Nelson Velazquez from Triple-A Memphis. To make room for them on the active roster, the Cardinals have optioned catcher Yohel Pozo and infielder Cesar Prieto to Memphis.

Crooks, 24, is currently hitting .262 with 35 runs, 37 hits, 4 doubles, 13 home runs, 29 RBI’s, 1 stolen base, 30 walks, .412 OBP, and a .980 OPS with Triple-A Memphis in 2026. Crooks ranks as the Cardinals 7th best prospect.

Crooks made his MLB debut last season with the Cardinals. Crooks appeared in 15 games and hit .133 with 3 runs, 6 hits, 1 triple, 1 home run, and 1 RBI.

Overall, Crooks is currently in his 5th minor league season. Crooks has played 365 games with 221 runs, 378 hits, 76 doubles, 6 triples, 53 home runs, 250 RBI’s, 7 stolen bases, and 173 walks.

Velazquez, 27, is currently hitting .232 with 21 runs, 32 hits, 5 doubles, 7 home runs, 22 RBI’s, 4 stolen bases, and 22 walks.

Velazquez did well in spring training but was sent to Memphis to start the season. In the first couple of months, Velazquez struggled. Velazquez has since been hitting in May. With 18 games in May, Velazquez is hitting .308 with 14 runs, 20 hits, 4 doubles, 5 home runs, 15 RBI’s, 11 walks, 3 stolen bases, .418 OBP, and a 1.018 OPS.

Overall, Velazquez is currently in his 9th minor league season. Velazquez has played 599 games with 314 runs, 543 hits, 110 doubles, 13 triples, 101 home runs, 331 RBI’s, 78 stolen bases, 235 walks, and a ,249 batting average.

In the MLB, Velazquez has played 3 seasons. Velazquez has played 194 games with 86 runs, 117 hits, 21 doubles, 4 triples, 31 home runs, 87 RBI’s, 7 stolen bases, 52 walks, and a .212 batting average.

Velazquez had his best season in 2023, combined between the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals. That season, Velazquez hit .235 with 35 runs, 38 hits, 6 doubles, 17 home runs, 34 RBI’s, and 14 walks. The batting average, runs, home runs, and RBI’s were all career highs for Velazquez.

In 2022, with the Cubs, Velazquez had career highs in hits (38), doubles (7), stolen bases (5), and walks (19).

Velazquez had an opt-out in his minor league contract by June 1st. It will be interesting to see if his stay is short or long. Velazquez is capable of having good power if he can avoid striking out a lot. If not, Velazquez won’t last long with the Cardinals.

Crooks should be able to help the Cardinals offense; he finally looks like he’s ready for the MLB. The Cardinals offense has struggled lately so they are trying to get better from within by calling up players they have in their minors. Does Blaze Jordan come up soon? Jordan is knocking on the door for the MLB. Jordan, 23, his currently hitting .317 with 29 runs, 58 hits, 15 doubles, 9 home runs, 29 RBI’s, 2 stolen bases, 14 walks, .375 OBP, and a .921 OPS in Triple-A Memphis.