James Dale Crooks II Bio
James Dale Crooks II is an American professional baseball catcher who currently plays for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball. Born on July 19, 2001, Crooks developed his catching skills through a strong amateur career in Texas before the St. Louis Cardinals selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He made his MLB debut in August 2025 and has emerged as one of the organization’s top catching prospects. Crooks attended Trinity High School in Euless, Texas, and continued his development at McLennan Community College before transferring to the University of Oklahoma, where he established himself as a talented collegiate backstop.
Early Life and Background
Crooks grew up in Texas and attended Trinity High School in Euless, where he began building his reputation as a reliable defensive catcher with developing offensive skills. His high school performance positioned him well for the collegiate level, and he chose to continue his baseball career at McLennan Community College. At McLennan, Crooks refined his catching mechanics and received increased attention from major league scouts.
After his time at McLennan Community College, Crooks transferred to the University of Oklahoma, one of the premier baseball programs in the Big 12 Conference. His collegiate career demonstrated his ability to handle quality pitching staffs while producing offensively. In the summer of 2021, Crooks played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League, widely regarded as one of the top amateur summer leagues in the country. This experience against top collegiate talent further prepared him for professional baseball.
Path to Professional Baseball
The St. Louis Cardinals identified Crooks as a promising catching prospect and selected him in the fourth round of the 2022 MLB Draft with the 127th overall pick. Being drafted in the fourth round represented a significant achievement and validated the years of development Crooks invested in his game. The Cardinals’ scouting department saw potential in his defensive instincts behind the plate and his ability to contribute offensively.
Immediately after signing, Crooks began his professional career in the Cardinals organization. He debuted with the Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals in 2022 and appeared in 23 games, batting .266. This initial professional season allowed him to adjust to the speed and strategy of pro baseball while continuing to develop his receiving and throwing skills. The organization was encouraged by his smooth transition and moved him up the minor league ladder relatively quickly.
James Dale Crooks II Career
Minor League Development (2022–2024)
Crooks spent the 2023 season primarily with the High-A Peoria Chiefs, where he emerged as one of the more productive hitters in the Cardinals system. Across 115 total appearances that season, including one game with Triple-A Memphis, he hit .271 with 12 home runs and 73 runs batted in. These numbers demonstrated his ability to hit for average while also showcasing developing power. Following the regular season, Crooks participated in the Arizona Fall League, playing for the Scottsdale Scorpions, where he continued facing advanced competition.
The 2024 season proved to be a breakthrough year for Crooks. Assigned to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals, he appeared in 90 games and posted a remarkable .321 batting average with 11 home runs and 62 RBI. This performance positioned him as one of the top catching prospects in all of minor league baseball and accelerated his timeline toward the major leagues. His consistent contact-hitting ability combined with his defensive profile made him an increasingly valuable asset within the Cardinals organization.
St. Louis Cardinals (2025–Present)
Crooks opened the 2025 season with Triple-A Memphis, continuing to refine his game against experienced professional hitters. On August 29, 2025, the Cardinals selected his contract and promoted him to the major league roster for the first time. He made his MLB debut that same evening, catching the final two innings of a game against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals won that contest 7-5 in 10 innings.
Crooks made his first MLB start on August 31, 2025, again against the Cincinnati Reds. In that game, he recorded his first major league hit, launching a solo home run off reliever Sam Moll. This milestone moment represented the culmination of his journey through the minor leagues. He appeared in 15 games during his rookie campaign, batting .133 with one home run and one RBI. Crooks began the 2026 season with Triple-A Memphis after being optioned to start the year.
Defensive Profile and Catching Ability
Crooks has established a reputation as a defensive-minded catcher with solid receiving skills and a strong throwing arm. His ability to work with pitching staffs and call games has been a consistent strength throughout his development. The Cardinals have valued his leadership behind the plate and his capacity to handle the strategic aspects of the catching position.
Notable Milestones
The most significant moment of Crooks’ early career came on August 31, 2025, when he recorded his first major league hit and home run against the Cincinnati Reds. This moment marked his official arrival in MLB and provided a memorable milestone early in his professional journey. His promotion to the Cardinals in late August 2025 represented the culmination of steady minor league progression that began with his 2022 draft selection.
James Dale Crooks II Career Statistics
Throughout his professional career, Crooks has demonstrated the ability to hit for average and power at every minor league level. His most impressive statistical performance came during the 2024 Double-A season with Springfield, where he posted a .321 batting average. His minor league track record shows consistent improvement and adaptability as he moved through the Cardinals system.
Minor League Highlights
Crooks’ most productive professional season came in 2024 with Double-A Springfield, where he hit .321 with 11 home runs and 62 RBI in 90 games. Prior to that, he showed power potential in 2023 with Peoria and Memphis, combining for 12 home runs and 73 RBI across 115 appearances. His 2022 debut with Palm Beach showed promise as he batted .266 in 23 games.
Major League Statistics
Through June 21, 2026, Crooks has appeared in 15 MLB games with the Cardinals, compiling a .153 batting average with 2 home runs and 7 RBI. His rookie campaign in 2025 provided valuable experience at the highest level, and his early 2026 statistics reflect his continued adjustment to major league pitching.
| Level | Games | BA | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLB (2025–2026) | 15 | .153 | 2 | 7 |
| Double-A Springfield (2024) | 90 | .321 | 11 | 62 |
| High-A Peoria (2023) | 115 | .271 | 12 | 73 |
| Single-A Palm Beach (2022) | 23 | .266 | — | — |
James Dale Crooks II Family
Family Background and Lineage
Public information regarding James Dale Crooks II’s family background is limited. He has maintained privacy regarding his family life and personal relationships throughout his professional career. Any additional details about his family would require verification from official sources.
Personal Life
Crooks has focused his public profile on his baseball career and has not disclosed extensive details about his personal life. He continues to work toward establishing himself as a reliable major league catcher while pursuing competitive excellence with the St. Louis Cardinals organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a landmark year in Crooks’ career, as he received his first major league call-up in late August. After opening the season with Triple-A Memphis, he impressed the Cardinals’ front office with his consistent performance and readiness for the majors. His promotion came at a time when the Cardinals were evaluating their catching depth for the future.
Crooks made immediate history by recording his first MLB hit and home run in his first start against the Cincinnati Reds. This memorable moment provided momentum as he navigated the remainder of his rookie campaign. While his offensive numbers were modest across 15 games, the experience of facing major league pitching provided invaluable learning opportunities.