US EditionTop Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt makes opening day roster
Wetherholt earned his spot after hitting .306 with 17 homers and 23 stolen bases last season, joining a Cardinals roster focused on youth and development.
- On Monday, the Cardinals announced that prospect JJ Wetherholt will join the major-league roster for Opening Day, with the 2024 draft pick expected to play second base and potentially serve as the everyday leadoff hitter.
- Entering the 2026 season, the Cardinals are focused on player development during a rebuild, having parted ways with veterans including Nolan Arenado and Willson Contreras to prioritize young assets like Wetherholt.
- Ranked as a top-five prospect by MLB Pipeline, Wetherholt hit.212/.386/.394 in 15 spring training games and is a favorite for National League Rookie of the Year, per Caesars, trailing Konnor Griffin and Nolan McLean.
- Promoting Wetherholt for Opening Day keeps the Prospect Promotion Incentive available, potentially netting an extra draft pick, while the team also added infielders Thomas Saggese, Ferm, and Nathan Church to the active roster.
- While the 2026 season may be challenging in a loaded Central division, Wetherholt is expected to pair with shortstop Masyn Winn to anchor the infield as the organization prioritizes evaluation of young talent.
28 Articles
28 Articles
JJ Wetherholt: From Hammons Field to Busch Stadium
Before the Cardinals arrived in Springfield, JJ Wetherholt learned he would start the season in St. Louis after a Texas League MVP performance in 2025. The post Following cameo back in Springfield, JJ Wetherholt will start season with St. Louis Cardinals appeared first on Springfield Daily Citizen.
Top Cardinals Prospect To Make Opening Day Roster
JJ Wetherholt wasn’t expected to break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals roster. Not this soon anyway.However, Wetherholt has made the Cardinals Opening Day roster, according to president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom and Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat. While this news is certainly notable, it’s not surprising that he was given a shot to be in the big leagues this early. The Cardinals have cleared out their roster with names suc…
The Toronto Star
Top Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt makes opening day roster
JUPITER, Fla. (AP) — JJ Wetherholt is heading to the majors.
J.J. Weatherholt makes Cardinals Opening Day roster
The St. Louis Cardinals beat their Double-A affiliate in Springfield 3-2. Alec Burleson hit a home run, and Dustin May threw four shutout innings. JJ Weatherholt, the organization’s top prospect, made the big league club and will be at Busch Stadium for Opening Day on Thursday when the Cardinals host the Tampa Bay Rays. JJ will be the starting second baseman and will bat either leadoff or second with Masyn Winn. The club is in a rebuilding year,…
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