Cardinals' Catching Prospect Holding his Own in Arizona Fall League

While electrifying center field prospect Tai Peete has gotten most of the attention for the impressed way he has hit the ball in the Arizona Fall League, St. Louis Cardinals catching prospect Sammy Hernandez has certainly held his own so far.

Herenandez, who took over the catching duties in High-A Peoria (Ill.) when top prospect Rainiel Rodriguez was promoted to Double-A Springfield, has carried over his stellar play during the 2026 season to the Arizona Fall League.

Hernandez, a native of Ponce, Puerto Rico who went to high school in Lakeland, Fla., has a game-winning walk-off single to his credit in the AFL, along with a double and a triple in nine games played so far. Hernandez is slashing .257/.333/.343/.676 in Fall league play.

Hernandez, who was acquired from the Blue Jays in the trade for reliever Genesis Cabrera in 2023, posted an impressive .940 OPS in 65 games with High-A Peoria in 2026. He had 18 doubles, 11 homers and 35 RBI while also stealing 21 bases in 26 tries.

Peete, the center fielder with plenty of pop and speed, is slashing .333/.429/.646/1.075 with four doubles, four triples, a homer and six RBI in 12 Arizona Fall League games so far. He also has stolen nine bases in 11 tries and he has scored 15 runs.