Central STL News

Jimmy Crooks, recently called up from Triple-A Memphis, made his first Major League start for the St. Louis Cardinals on Sunday at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati. In his third at-bat, Crooks hit a home run off Cincinnati reliever Sam Moll, marking his first MLB hit. The rookie catcher had been promoted after Yohel Pozo entered concussion protocol.

Crooks’ family, friends, and former coaches traveled to Cincinnati to watch his debut. His brother Dylan, who was selected by the Rockies in the 15th round this summer, was among those present. Also attending were coaches from the Midland Redskins amateur baseball program.

“We had family, friends and then a couple of other coaches that I work with on with the Redskins here, so they're family to me, so the fact they made it here and got to experience this with me -- it was kind of sick,” Crooks said.

Crooks described his approach against Moll: “I had a pretty good first two at-bats, and they didn't go my way. So I just stuck with it. We knew a lefty was coming in, and we loved his sweeper, so we kind of stuck with the game plan. And [he] threw it in the go zone, and I swung.”

Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol commented on Crooks’ performance: “I thought he handled it really well. And then good to see him hit the homer, stay on that pitch. Overall, even when he came into the game [Friday] -- that was a big part of the game -- he came in late and he kept his cool. He was under control and handled it perfectly.”

Second baseman César Prieto also made his first MLB start for St. Louis during Sunday’s game before an announced crowd of 27,238 fans in Cincinnati. Prieto collected his first Major League hit but committed an error that contributed to three unearned runs for Cincinnati in the second inning.

The Cardinals lost 7-4 to the Reds despite taking two out of three games in the weekend series. Andre Pallante started for St. Louis and allowed five runs (two earned) over five innings while working with Crooks behind the plate.

Pallante spoke about working with Crooks: “We talked a good bit. He had been up here for two days before that, so we were able to talk and kind of get across the plan that we wanted to do. I felt like it's even more difficult in a situation where I'm still trying to figure out what I'm trying to do out there and I'm making adjustments.

“And then to have a catcher also out there. But I felt like he handled it great. I thought that was awesome to see him hitting his first home run. Awesome. I think he's going to be a big part of what we're trying to build here.”

Manager Marmol reflected on Prieto’s error: “The error kind of leads to some runs there, and he wasn't able to limit some of that damage,” Marmol said. “But at the end of the day, I think you're continuing to give opportunity, and you're finding out what he's capable of doing and not capable of doing."