There’s a growing sense of optimism around the St. Louis Cardinals, and much of it centers on rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt, who is already exceeding expectations early in his big-league career.
Drafted seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Wetherholt wasted little time proving he belonged at the highest level. After rapidly climbing through the Cardinals’ minor league system, the 23-year-old has transitioned seamlessly into the majors, becoming a consistent contributor in just over a month of action. Through his first 32 games, he’s posted a solid .246 batting average with a .365 on-base percentage and a .459 slugging percentage, good for an .824 OPS. His production includes seven home runs, 16 RBIs, four stolen bases, and an impressive ability to draw walks, highlighting both his discipline and offensive versatility. Defensively, he’s been elite as well, ranking in the 99th percentile in outs above average an early indicator of his all-around value.
What’s most striking isn’t just that Wetherholt looks like a promising rookie it’s that he’s performing like one of the better players in the league overall. His 1.5 WAR already puts him in elite company, tied with Tarik Skubal and ahead of established stars such as Willson Contreras, Cody Bellinger, Carlos Correa, and Munetaka Murakami. That level of impact, so early in his career, suggests that his ceiling could be even higher than originally projected.
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol has been vocal about his confidence in Wetherholt, emphasizing that this strong start is only scratching the surface. Marmol noted that the decision to place him at the top of the lineup was intentional, rooted in the belief that he possesses both the talent and work ethic to thrive in that role and potentially grow into something even more impactful as he gains experience.
For Cardinals fans, the excitement is justified. While it’s still a relatively small sample size, Wetherholt has already demonstrated the tools and mindset of a future star. His emergence, alongside fellow young standout Jordan Walker, gives St. Louis a strong foundation to build around. As the 2026 season unfolds, one of the team’s biggest priorities will be identifying which young players can become long-term cornerstones—and Wetherholt is making a compelling case that he belongs firmly in that group.
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