The Cardinals made the decision this winter that Ivan Herrera will get his chance to prove he’s a big league catcher. They paved a path onto the major league roster after he’d gotten his feet wet in each of the past two seasons. Now, it’s up to the 23-year-old native of Panama to make the most of his shot.

Herrera will enter spring training as the club’s projected backup catcher, sharing duties behind the plate with returning starter Willson Contreras. Herrera appeared in 13 games in the majors last season but put together a highly impressive performance at Triple-A Memphis to earn the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year Award.

In November, the Cardinals nontendered catcher Andrew Knizner to open the slot for Herrera. Knizner’s departure wasn’t something Herrera celebrated, yet he realized it meant the organization had faith in his ability.

“I understand this is a business,” Herrera said Sunday during Winter Warm-Up at Busch Stadium. “I cannot say I was happy (about Knizner), but I was (about) just the chance and the confidence that the Cardinals are giving me. It’s huge. Now knowing that I have a good chance to be on the team, I’m excited for that.”

In his short time in the majors last season (two stints, 13 total games), Herrera batted .297 with a .409 on-base percentage and a .351 slugging percentage. In 83 games for Memphis, Herrera posted a slash line of .297/.451/.500 with 10 home runs and nearly as many walks (75) as strikeouts (77).

“I’ve been focusing on staying consistent,” Herrera said. “I think that’s one of the things that everybody wants at this level, being able to come every single day and play hard and show up ready. That’s what I’ve been working (to do). I think I’ve had one of the best offseasons I’ve had. I’ve been putting in the work since October, so I think I’m in good shape for the season.”

Herrera joined the Cardinals organization in 2016, and he made his major league debut in 2022. He’d come up in the organization where the model and standard for catchers had been established by franchise icon Yadier Molina, a 10-time All-Star and nine-time Gold Glove winner.

Molina, who retired at the end of the 2022 season, returned to the organization as an adviser to president of baseball operations John Mozeliak.

“Yadi, for me, is the best catcher ever,” Herrera said. “Working with him the past years says it all. I started working with him and my defense got so much better. I’m so thankful that I met him. I’m happy that he’s going to be back with us, helping us.”

Herrera and Contreras worked together last year, Contreras’ first season with the Cardinals after he began his career with the rival Chicago Cubs. They’ll look to form a catching tandem in the big leagues in 2024.

“He’s a funny guy; I kind of miss him,” Herrera said of Contreras. "He’s a competitor. He goes out and competes every single day. One thing that I like about him — and he always says it, ‘You will hate me if you play against me, and you will love me if you play with me.’ I agree with him. He’s one of the best competitors that I have met. I’m happy to be next to him.”