Wetherholt makes Opening Day case with strong Spring Breakout performance

JUPITER, Fla. -- JJ Wetherholt is the Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect and No. 5 overall per MLB Pipeline, and he's lived up to the billing during the exhibition season. In fact, if things continue to go well, don’t be surprised if Wetherholt is named the Opening Day second baseman against the Rays on March 26 at Busch Stadium.

“I’m not sure [if I will make the team]. It’s in God’s hands,” Wetherholt said. “I have to continue to go out competing, practicing, playing hard every day and being myself, and roll with whatever.”

Wetherholt has been one of the Cardinals’ most patient hitters this spring and he proved it in Thursday afternoon’s 9-8 win in the Spring Breakout game against the Nationals’ prospects, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored, one walk and one strikeout. Entering Friday’s action against the Mets, Wetherholt has a Grapefruit League slash line of .214/.405/.429 with eight walks and is tied for the second-most RBIs on the team (six).

Wetherholt is glad to show fans that the Cardinals have a bright future when it comes to their farm system.

“You may be hearing about the top two guys or the most recent Draft pick, but some of these other guys have a chance to really impress people who watch and that’s how they are going to get remembered -- go out there and make a cool play or start off the game with a good swing,” Wetherholt said. “Just play their game and fans will notice that.”

According to MLB Pipeline, the Cardinals have the No. 4 farm system. Wetherholt is one of 14 prospects, including left-hander Liam Doyle and outfielder Joshua Báez, in St. Louis’ Top 30 in the Spring Breakout game. Wetherholt hopes to play in the World Series with those same players one day.

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“You want to be part of a farm system that is ranked high and has good prospects and good coaching behind them. That’s what we have ,” Wetherholt said. “It gives us an opportunity to build superstars in-house.”

The question is, will Wetherholt be St. Louis’ leadoff hitter or hit second behind Masyn Winn? Wetherholt appears to be the best choice for the top spot because of his plate discipline, while Winn may be better off in the middle of the order to drive in runs.

“[Wetherholt has the] ability to stay on the ball. He uses the whole field. He takes a professional at-bat,” Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol said. “He has a willingness to be coached. He craves what’s next for him. That’s a really good quality to have.”

A shortstop by trade, Wetherholt is holding his own with the glove at second base and he has made some nice diving plays. The issue entering spring was making backhanded plays to his right. Wetherholt got off to a slow start, but hard work before games has paid off and he doesn’t have any problems fielding the balls hit up the middle.

“Just a lot of work before the day starts,” Wetherholt said. “I’m in the back field with [first-base coach] Stubby Clapp, [bench coach] Daniel Descalso or any of those guys. [Former Cardinals infielder] Kolten Wong was here and I did some work with him. I’m just literally taking reps. It’s the only way I can get myself to feel better.”

When he is playing defense, Wetherholt doesn’t have the jitters because he has Winn on the other side of second base. It helps that Winn is the leader of the infield and one of the best defenders in the sport. Winn recorded 21 outs above average in 2025.

“He takes pressure off you, because he is going to track everything down close to him,” Wetherholt said. “He likes to go out and be the lead cutoff guy in every situation. I’m just there to just chill, get the balls that are hit to me and make the routine plays and just help him elevate his game.”

Once Wetherholt reaches the big leagues, center fielder Victor Scott II, a college teammate in 2022 at West Virginia University and now in St. Louis, expects Wetherholt to be an integral part of the team.

“He will help [the Cardinals] a lot,” Scott said. “He is a guy who can get on base, hit his share of home runs, play some good defense and run a little bit. He is an all-around really good player. To see him grow in the big leagues and become JJ Wetherholt will be fun to watch.”