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What to Expect from Cardinals Infielder JJ Wetherholt

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Mar 24, 2026 10:49 AM ET

Over the last few months, the Cardinals have made it well-known what the focus will be for the near future: get young. That will be on full display in March, as JJ Wetherholt has made the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster for 2026.

A Look at Wetherholt

When JJ Wetherholt was at West Virginia, not only was he one of the best college players around but also someone who was an early favorite to go first overall in 2024.

That, ultimately, did not happen. The 2023 D1 batting champion, Wetherholt hit well in an injury-shortened 2024 season. He slid to seventh overall that July.

Between Double-A and Triple-A, Wetherholt put up phenomenal results. Wetherholt slashed .306/.421/.510 with 17 home runs and 47 extra-base hits over 109 contests. He walked (72) almost as many times as he struck out (73), and also added 23 stolen bases overall.

His numbers in Triple-A were fantastic, to say the least. The 23-year-old hit 10 of his 17 home runs in Memphis and posted a 12.3% Barrel%.

Wetherholt’s swing-and-miss rates jumped as he moved up the ladder. With Springfield, Wetherholt’s 17.5% Whiff% was among the lowest in the Texas League last season. That ticked up to above 24% with Memphis, mostly thanks to splitters, and oddly enough, two-seamers/sinkers.

(via New Baseball Media)

That trend did continue in the spring, although exhibition numbers mean something and nothing at the same time. During Grapefruit League action, Wetherholt posted a 28.6% Whiff% with the Cardinals. It was part of a spring where he slashed .212/.386/.394 with two home runs, seven strikeouts, and nine walks over 15 contests.

The power has become a very pleasant surprise for Wetherholt, who has long been considered a plus-plus hitter. He can very much go the other way if need be.

And from a discipline standpoint, Wetherholt can check that box, as well. A sub-20% Chase% on pitches outside of the zone in Triple-A tells the story on that front.

Defensively, Wetherholt was a primary shortstop in the Minor Leagues. He also played second and third, and Wetherholt will likely wind up at one of those positions long-term. More likely at second base, where he spent the bulk of his time during Grapefruit League action.

The Cardinals confirmed that JJ Wetherholt would make the team’s Opening Day roster.

Analysis

The road to a roster spot opened up weeks and months ago, as the Cardinals traded away Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan in separate trades. Now, Wetherholt has the chance to solidify his status as a building block in the organization.

We’ll see exactly where the Cardinals choose to bat Wetherholt when the season starts. However, he does have the potential to be an ideal leadoff hitter in the new age. He gets on base, either via a walk or a base hit. And there’s enough power intrigue to consider him a potential 20-home run hitter.

He’ll also seek to form a strong up-the-middle duo with Masyn Winn, who enters the 2026 season as a reigning NL Gold Glove winner.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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