Number 1 — Yadier Molina
While Simmons may have the most bWAR (45.0) of any Cardinals catcher, it’s very possible that Yadier Molina (42.1 bWAR) will catch him before he hangs up his mask.
Yadier Molina’s impact on the St. Louis Cardinals is worthy of the top spot on the franchise’s all-time catching list
A 10-time All-Star, nine-time Gold Glove winner, and four-time Platinum Glove honoree, Molina was drafted by the Cardinals in the fourth round of the 2000 draft and has played all 18 seasons in a St. Louis uniform. He has appeared in four World Series with the Cardinals, posting a .328/.395/.403 slash line in 76 plate appearances. That includes a .412/.500/.529 slash line in 20 plate appearances during the 2006 St. Louis World Series win over the Detroit Tigers. In the Series-clinching Game 5 win, Molina went 3-for-4.
However, the Cardinals might not have reached the World Series that season had Molina not come through with a clutch two-run home run on the road in Game 7 of the 2006 National League Championship Series against the New York Mets. Molina’s ninth-inning heroics gave the Cardinals a 3-1 decision and eventually punched their ticket to the Fall Classic.
Molina has also been praised throughout his career for his leadership abilities and defense behind the plate, including his ability to throw out would-be base stealers.