Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt Eyes Speedy MLB Arrival
Once the fans gathered at the fence had his attention and he was quickly at work signing his first autographs of his first big league camp, JJ Wetherholt fielded the question that will find him many more times in the coming months.
When will they see him in the big leagues?
“You mean this year?” the 22-year-old shortstop said with a smile and a head shake.
Less than a year removed from his final college season at West Virginia, Wetherholt arrived at camp at a time when the Cardinals are focusing on clearing way for the future. Like his, for example.
Drafted seventh overall in 2025, Wetherholt stormed into pro ball when he joined Low-A Palm Beach in its championship run. He hit .295/.405/.400 in 29 games to flash what made him one of the top college hitters available in the draft.
“He’s just an exciting player,” Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said. “You can tell he’s a focused guy.”
Wetherholt is a brand ambassador for Pison, a biotech company launching baseball-related tech that helps measure reaction time and improve decision-making speed. Nearly a full year removed from the hamstring injury that limited his junior season to 36 games, he wants to bring stolen bases back to his game.
And that same health, he hopes, will give him a chance to show his improvements at shortstop.
“I spent countless hours on glove work and positioning and working on throws, and then to go down in like the fourth game was just tough,” Wetherholt said of his final WVU season. “When I got back to playing shortstop, I wasn’t even at full capacity because I was still dealing with recovery.”
One of his goals this year is to developing into a “true shortstop, not just a guy who is playing shortstop.”
The Cardinals remain open to Wetherholt advancing at shortstop, second base or third, and he could see time at all three. His bat will carry him, and that’s where the question gains some immediacy. He’s expected to move swiftly toward Double-A.
From there, St. Louis will be on the horizon.
REDBIRD CHIRPS
— One of the minor league invites to spring training the Cardinals added for depth was Jose Barrero, an infielder who was once ranked as a top prospect for the Reds. Barrero, 26, played 139 games in the majors for the Reds and had a brief look as their starting shortstop. A collision on the field caused a spleen injury that ultimately led to his availability and look for fresh start.
—- Among the many promotions, reassignments and hires in the Cardinals’ minor league system during the offseason was a new title and expanded role for a former outfielder. Bernard Gilkey, a St. Louis native who played for the Cardinals, will be a roving instructor for the coming season and work with a lot of young outfielders. He had been at the Class A level in recent years.
