Cardinals' rookie catcher Leo Bernal, who drilled a two-run, game-winning homer on Sunday, already has 17 RBI in the first 18 games of his MLB career. That's the most runs batted in by a Cards' rookie since Tom Alston had 20 RBI in 18 games in 1954.
Even though he’s just a rookie and still learning the MLB game, Leo Bernal wants it all. And he expects himself to do it all for the St. Louis Cardinals – both today and for years to come.
Sure, Bernal culminated a dazzling offensive start for the ages with a tiebreaking, game-winning home run on Sunday when the Cardinals topped the Nationals 5-3 at Busch Stadium.
However, the 22-year-old Bernal was just as excited on Sunday afternoon about the quick throw he made from his knees to nail Washington’s Jared Young at second base on a steal attempt earlier in the game. Again, the switch-hitting Bernal expects himself to be the kind of complete catcher that the Cardinals can count on for contributions in a variety of ways.
“Like I’ve said in the past, obviously I want to be a complete player,” Bernal said on Sunday after his 424-foot homer broke a 3-all tie and lifted the Cards to a victory. “I’m a switch hitter with two types of swings, so on both sides, I want to (be productive). And I want to do the things on the defense, too. And obviously, I’m going to be better every day. I want to prepare myself to do the things out there and have success.”
Even though Bernal was one of the top prospects in the Cardinals’ Minor League system, he has already had far more success than the organization thought possible for a rookie making his big-league debut. At the plate, he exhibits the calmness, balance and patience of seemingly a 10-year veteran. While running the pitching staff, Cardinals’ hurlers rave about his preparation skills and the “big target” he presents behind the plate. And Young was the fourth base runner to test out Bernal’s arm and pay the price with a caught stealing.
Through 18 games, Bernal’s production has been eye-popping. His 17 RBI in the 18 games are the most in Cards history in 72 years, dating back to Tom Alston in 1954 who had 20 RBI in the first 17 games of his MLB career. Two of his four homers have put the Cardinals ahead in the eighth inning or later, while he’s also had six multi-RBI games. And if he had enough at bats to qualify, here’s where his slash line would rank among the Cardinals: a .311 batting average (first), a .354 on-base percentage (second), a ,514 slugging percentage (first) and an .868 OPS (first).
“We've just seen him take really professional at bats -- righty or lefty -- and he has an idea what he wants to do, and he misses where he wants to miss," Cardinals’ manager Oliver Marmol raved. "There's a calmness to it, a presence to it and a ton of confidence. And it's a sneak peek of what's coming. There's a lot of excitement around what we've seen from him."
On a day when Jordan Walker recorded his ninth outfield assist, rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt knocked in his 50th run, fellow Panamanian Ivan Herrera belted two home runs and Thomas Saggese made a dazzling play at shortstop to go with Bernal’s late-game heroics, the Cardinals are confident that better days are ahead for the franchise with their bevy of young talent.
Clearly, Bernal has made himself a fixture of the Cardinals’ long-term plans with the spectacular start to his career.
“The energy we’re playing with, we can show to the fans what we can do,” Bernal said. “Moving forward next year, we're going to be prepared for the first game in training, looking for the playoffs, and looking to have success. We're going to work together, and prepare to be out there together and give the 100%.”
