After a hot start in his cup of coffee in the Majors, Leo Bernalheaded to the Dominican Winter League and showed off a similar power stroke for the Estrellas Orientales.
In the first inning of Monday's 6-3 victory over the Gigantes del Cibao, MLB's No. 80 prospect quickly turned on a pitch by former Padres Minor League right-hander Jackson Goddard in a 2-2 count and pulled it over the right-field wall.
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The switch-hitting Bernal is tied for fourth on the circuit with 12 RBIs following his fourth homer of the offseason. The Cardinals' No. 4 prospect drove in 21 RBIs across 24 games in the big leagues after his September promotion.
The 22-year-old catcher slashed .284/.333/.474 with five homers, three doubles and 12 runs. The 60-grade thrower started 15 of his 20 appearances behind the plate while making four additional starts at first base.
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At Triple-A in his sixth Minor League season, the Panama-born prospect notched a career-best .831 OPS, 16 homers and 77 RBIs. He also threw out roughly 27.4 percent of would-be basestealers.
In a deeply talented St. Louis farm system, Bernal could be the backstop of the future for the next wave of arms, which includes Liam Doyle (STL No. 2/MLB No. 40), Tanner Franklin (No. 6) and Jurrangelo Cijntje (No. 12).