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Catcher Leonardo Bernal continued to make a name for himself at Double-A in 2025.

St. Louis Cardinals shortstop Masyn Winn won the National League Gold Glove Award at shortstop on Sunday night, but he wasn't the only member of the Cardinals organization to receive some notoriety, as catcher Leonardo Bernal was also named a Gold Glove winner at the minor league level.

The MiLB Gold Glovers are chosen from all levels, meaning that Bernal was seen as the best defensive catcher in the minors, regardless of affiliate level.

About Bernal 

Just 21 years old, Bernal signed with the Cardinals in 2021. A switch-hitter at the plate, he's projected to make his major league debut in St. Louis in 2026.

He spent the whole year in Double-A Springfield, hitting .247 with a .332 on-base percentage. He had 13 home runs, 70 RBIs and 13 stolen bases.

With the Cardinals going through a rebuild at the big-league level, he should get plenty of opportunity to show off his skillset in 2026.

What they are saying about his defense

Per MLB Pipeline, who provided further context on his defensive acumen:

Bernal came into his own defensively this season behind the plate, building on the previous strides in blocking and framing and solidifying himself as one of the Minors' best throwers. He threw out 27 of 69 attempting basestealers, good for an elite 39 percent caught-stealing rate, second-best among backstops at Double-A.

Other Minor League winners (with MLB Pipeline rankings)

C: Leonardo Bernal (STL No. 4/MLB No. 92), Springfield (AA)

1B: Tre' Morgan (TB No. 7), Durham (AAA)

2B: Kyle DeBarge (MIN No. 11), Cedar Rapids (A+)

3B: Pedro Ramirez (CHC No. 8), Knoxville (AA)

SS: Konnor Griffin (PIT No. 1/MLB No. 1), Bradenton (A), Greensboro (A+), Altoona (AA)

OF: Luis Lara (MIL No. 12), Biloxi (AA)

OF: Druw Jones (AZ No. 14), Hillsboro (A+)

OF: Homer Bush Jr. (TB No. 23), Montgomery (AA)

P: Robby Snelling (MIA No. 3/MLB No. 51), Pensacola (AA), Jacksonville (AAA)

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