This super utility prospect can play every infield position -- including catcher!

There were just a few days left in 2026 Spring Training when Cardinals prospect Cade McGee was given another task on his already busy plate.

The utility infielder often joked with catching coordinator Ethan Goforth about getting behind the plate.

The joke eventually became a reality.

“One of the days I joked with [Goforth], and I was like, 'Hey, when am I catching?’” McGee remembered. “Immediately he said, 'Today.’ And I was like, ‘What are you talking about?’ He's like, ‘No, I'm serious. Do you want to?’ And I was like, ‘Sure, let's do it.’”

McGee’s first day behind the dish included catching Major League starter Andre Pallante and 2025 first-round pick Liam Doyle. The joke then evolved into McGee catching 24 games with High-A Peoria while also playing 18 at first base, 14 at second and 16 at third before a promotion to Double-A Springfield in early September.

McGee is now honing in on his versatility in the Arizona Fall League, where he carries five gloves and his catcher’s gear just in case. The 23-year-old is making the most of the opportunity, while keeping his defensive options open.

“It adds a lot of value to your profile as well as to the organization,” McGee said. “Being able to do it all, you can always be that next guy up if someone gets hurt, or if there's a corresponding move. If you're playing all those positions and playing them at a high level, I think it's hard to get overlooked. I’ve really taken pride in it because I think defense is -- I don't want to say a lost art -- but I really like taking ground balls.”

Farm director Larry Day made it clear to McGee to focus on just second and third base, putting catching to the side for the month.

McGee, a native of Tucson, Ariz., was grateful for the opportunity to play in a league he grew up watching. McGee sees the league as a chance to continue work on lowering his attack angle at the plate. He also has felt more relaxed, which allows him to work on specifics in the field with less pressure of playing each night.

“He learned catching so late into Spring Training, and we asked so much of him throughout the year,” Cardinals infield coordinator Casey Demko said. “We almost owed it to him to just go out there and have success in a smaller amount.”

McGee hadn’t caught since he was 12, back when his team could put in a courtesy runner for him, as he likes to joke. When he played in the Cape Cod Baseball League in 2024 before being drafted in the ninth round out of Texas Tech by the Cardinals, McGee told teams he could catch if needed, and did so at a Fenway Park workout in front of scouts.

Demko thought McGee had the “makeup” and arm talent to at least try catching. Being behind the plate at this level was completely new to him, but McGee took it in stride while maintaining his abilities at other infield spots.

Third base is McGee’s most comfortable position, a spot he primarily played while in college. Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock said McGee would sometimes switch to first base in an intrasquad game, and they discussed catching at certain points.

The challenge with playing multiple positions was keeping his body and routines in order. McGee made sure to get in the ice bath after catching, and felt the Cardinals’ organization was transparent in the uniqueness of his situation to help him play six games a week.

Keeping McGee fresh at all positions is part of the Cardinals' developmental philosophy, and “keeps us up at night,” according to Demko. They hope to train athletes in order to put the puzzle together, making versatility a “hot topic.”

“When bats are available in St. Louis, we want to make sure that our guys are prepared and can excel wherever the staff wants them to play,” Demko said. “We don't want the defense to be the limiting factor on when they can't get on the field.”

McGee understands that, and sees it as his ticket to the big leagues.

“I definitely want to roll with the utility aspect,” McGee said. “That fits my profile and who I am as a person and player.”