Photo/Tom DiPace
The St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospect JJ Wetherholt is making waves early. While there’s plenty of hype surrounding him, fans need to remember that he’s still young, so patience will be required. Undoubtedly, there will be bumps along the road, but it’s hard not to get excited when a player of his caliber comes along.
Drafted seventh overall by St. Louis in the 2024 MLB Draft, the young infielder, has quickly become the most talked about player in the Cardinals’ farm system. With many believing he’s on a fast track to Busch Stadium.
Wetherholt Dominant in Colege
Wetherholt’s journey to professional baseball was marked by an exceptional collegiate career at West Virginia University. As a sophomore, he dominated the NCAA, securing the Division I batting title with an astounding .449 average. His impressive 1.304 OPS earned him the Big 12 Player of the Year award, solidifying his status as a potential No. 1 overall draft pick. While a hamstring injury slightly impacted his junior season, he still showcased his talent by hitting .331 with eight home runs in 36 games.
Wetherholt Might Be Anothet Flores Gem
The Cardinals’ assistant general manager and scouting director Randy Flores is known for strong scouting and the ability to assess talent. He has had some excellent draft classes, most notably the 2020 draft, which included Masyn Winn, Jordan Walker, Tink Hence, and Alec Burleson.
Flores recognized Wetherholt’s immense potential and selected him early in the first round. Many experts felt it was a steal at the number seven slot as some believed he was the best hitter available. Most experts projected him starting the season in Single-A Palm Beach or Peoria to begin his professional career. However, Wetherholt’s breakout performance in spring training earned him a direct assignment to Double-A Springfield for the 2025 season. This aggressive placement speaks volumes about the organization’s confidence in his abilities.
Has All the Tools and All-Star Potential
Standing at 5-foot-10 and weighing 190 pounds, Wetherholt is a left-handed hitter with exceptional bat-to-ball skills. Growing up, his father instilled in him a philosophy of avoiding strikeouts, a trait evident in his high contact rates. Additionally, he possesses a keen eye at the plate and demonstrates an ability to hit to all fields. Undoubtedly, this makes him a challenging matchup for opposing pitchers.
Beyond his hitting prowess, he also boasts above-average running speed and developing power, making him a well-rounded offensive threat.
Defensively, Wetherholt primarily played shortstop in college and has continued that transition in the minor leagues. While he has the athleticism and arm strength to handle the position, the presence of Masyn Winn, the Cardinals’ current shortstop, in the major leagues might lead to a future position change. Potentially to second, third base, or even the outfield. The young infielder’s versatility makes him a valuable asset to the organization regardless of where he ultimately settles defensively.
His debut with the Springfield Cardinals in April 2025 has been highly anticipated, and early returns suggest he is living up to the hype. After a slow start, Wetherholt has started to showcase his hitting ability, including a three-hit game where he also recorded his first Double-A RBIs. After an impressive showing in spring training, the young left-handed slugger has put up a nice slash line of .310/.410/.375 to start the 2025 season. Undoubtedly, these early performances have only intensified the excitement surrounding his development and potential impact in the near future.
Bright Future Ahead
Wetherholt represents the future for the Cardinals. The young slugger has the bat and athleticism to potentially make rapid ascent through the minor league ranks. As he continues to develop and gain experience, fans and experts alike will be eagerly following his progress. As previously mentioned, there will undoubtedly be struggles along the way. However, Cardinals’ fans should be excited about what the future holds for this young prospect. And if all works out, he could make an impact sooner than expected. The organization has had a rough couple of seasons, but the future is looking bright.
