Welcome to The Show, JJ Wetherholt.
The Cardinals' top prospect -- also baseball's No. 5 overall prospect, per MLB Pipeline -- has made St. Louis' Opening Day roster, president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom told reporters on Monday.
Wetherholt figures to be the starting second baseman for Opening Day on Thursday against the Rays (3:15 p.m. CT) and is expected to hit leadoff or bat second behind shortstop Masyn Winn.
Taken seventh overall by the Cardinals in the 2024 MLB Draft out of West Virginia University, the lefty-swinging Wetherholt has made a rapid ascent through the Minors, compiling a .304/.418/.487 slash line with 19 homers across 138 games in Low-A, Double-A and Triple-A.
The 23-year-old has continued to impress this spring, showing strong plate discipline on his way to a .780 OPS in 15 games with the Cardinals through Sunday. His nine walks through Sunday were tied for the team lead, while his seven RBIs ranked as the second most on the team.
Though he doesn't possess big power, Wetherholt has displayed the type of bat control that still results in plenty of hard contact when he puts the ball in play. This makes him a potential .300 hitter and, given his above-average speed, a 20-20 threat, observers say.
Last week's Spring Breakout game against Nationals prospects showed what Wetherholt brings to the team. He went 2-for-3 with a walk and two runs scored in a 9-8 win.
“[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 last week. “He has a willingness to be coached. He craves what’s next for him. That’s a really good quality to have.”
Though mainly a shortstop in the Minors, Wetherholt has honed his skills at second base this spring. After initially having trouble making backhanded plays to his right, he has tightened up that part of his defense and made several impressive plays in Grapefruit League action.
A defensively solid Wetherholt at second base combined with the elite defense of Winn at shortstop (21 Outs Above Average in '25) could make for a formidable up-the-middle duo for the Cardinals. But Wetherholt is on the team for his offensive skills, and teammates are excited to add his bat to the mix.
“He will help [the Cardinals] a lot,” outfielder and former college teammate Victor Scott II said last week. “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.”
Last week, Wetherholt said he wasn't sure whether his play had earned a spot on the Opening Day roster.
“It’s in God’s hands,” he said. “I have to continue to go out competing, practicing, playing hard every day and being myself, and roll with whatever.”
Now, he's rolled right into the Cardinals' starting lineup.