On Monday, the St. Louis Cardinals announced that JJ Wetherholt will be on the team’s Opening Day roster. Eyes have been on Wetherholt since Spring Training opened, hoping that perhaps the 23-year-old would make the team. Now that it is official, the next topic of conversation is expectations for the infielder in his first MLB season.
Wetherholt’s Rookie Expectations
His Bat
The biggest reason for optimism surrounding Wetherholt is his bat. Dating back to his college days at West Virginia, Wetherholt consistently demonstrated an ability to control the strike zone and make high-quality contact. During the 2023 season, Wetherholt struck out just 22 times in 225 at-bats. In the minor leagues last year, he struck out just 73 times in 408 at-bats. He simply puts the ball in play. While he will be facing tougher pitchers in the big leagues, his consistency in getting a bat on the ball should play in his favor.
While he does put the ball in play, Wetherholt is not known as a power hitter. He has shown flashes of power, such as last season when he hit 17 home runs in the minors, but he is more of a gap-to-gap hitter. So, do not expect the young man to have an Albert Pujols-style rookie season (37 home runs in 2001).
While the home run totals will be on the lower side, a batting average between .260 and .280 is not unreasonable for someone who puts the ball in play as often as he does. To give a recent example, rookie Aledmys Diaz, who did not strike out much (60 times in 460 at-bats), hit .300 in 2016.
As far as the long ball goes, 10-15 is a reasonable expectation. It is a number that does not jump off the page, but it is only part of what the young infielder brings to the Cardinals.
Wetherholt on the Bases
Wetherholt’s baserunning may be an underrated part of his game. He is a smart runner who can take the extra base and contribute with a handful of stolen bases. He stole 36 bases for West Virginia in 2023 and stole 23 last year in the minors. Despite this, we do think it is best to lean on the lower side when it comes to swiping a bag. 10-15 steals feels like a safe number, but do not be surprised if it is more.
Even if the base stealing is on the lower side, do not overlook his instincts on the bases. His maturity on the base paths should help him avoid the costly mistakes that have plagued many rookies in the past.
The Glove
Wetherholt’s defense will be an interesting story in 2026. He was a shortstop in college but has been playing second base due to Masyn Winn, who is already a Gold Glove winner in the majors.
While playing shortstop, Wetherholt has been dependable. He has quick hands, and his athletic ability should help him get to balls quickly. Even away from his natural position of shortstop, Wetherholt should still hold his own just fine at second. Will he be winning a Gold Glove? Unlikely, at least for this season. However, will he be a liability with a glove? Absolutely not.
Spot in the Lineup
Wetherholt is someone who could be the top-three of the batting order at some point. However, do not be surprised if he is in the bottom half of the order to start things. He did bat leadoff for the team’s exhibition game Monday, so perhaps manager Ollie Marmol is considering batting him higher.
Wherever Wetherholt is batting on Opening Day will change depending on his and the team’s performance. If he is getting on base but the rest of the lineup is struggling, he may get moved up. If he is struggling, he will likely stay where he is, if not drop lower.
Keep Expectations in Moderation
We do want to stress that expectations should not be shaped solely by the immediate impact of other recent rookies. Players who burst onto the scene with All-Star numbers are the exception, not the rule. For every Aaron Judge (52 rookie home runs in 2017), there is a Roy Halladay (ERA over 10.00 in 2000). Not everyone’s career starts on a high note. However, it does not mean their career will reflect that. It certainly did not reflect Halladay’s career.
The point being, do not get too caught up in what we see in Wetherholt. If he struggles, be patient. If he succeeds, enjoy it, but understand he may come back down to Earth. Take things one day at a time.
An Ideal Rookie Season
A realistically successful rookie season for Wetherholt should be measured less by eye-popping numbers and more by signs of growth and adjustment. If he can establish himself as a reliable hitter, maintain competitive at-bats, and hold his own defensively, that would represent a strong foundation for his career. A stat line in the neighborhood of a .265 average, 10-15 home runs, a .340 on-base percentage, and solid all-around play would be a very encouraging outcome.
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 23, 2026
Wetherholt has the tools to become a long-term impact player, but expecting immediate stardom could set an unfair standard. His rookie year is just the first step. Let’s just sit back and see what it has to offer.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro- Imagn Images
