In a surprising yet strategic move, the St. Louis Cardinals selected West Virginia middle infielder JJ Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 MLB draft Sunday night. This selection comes despite a challenging junior year that saw Wetherholt, once a candidate for the No. 1 overall spot, face significant adversity.
Wetherholt carried high expectations into the season, ranking No. 1 on many preseason lists and drawing considerable attention from scouts and evaluators. However, his draft standing took a hit following a serious hamstring injury sustained during Opening Weekend. The injury sidelined him for nearly two months, cutting his junior year essentially in half. Ultimately, this limited Wetherholt to approximately a half-season's worth of at-bats.
Despite these setbacks, Wetherholt’s performance during his limited appearances still showcased his potential. Over 36 games, he slashed .331/.472/.589, with eight home runs and nearly twice as many walks (30) as strikeouts (17). Evaluators project a 70-grade on his hit tool, a testament to his exceptional batting skills. However, concerns about his power projections have been noted, with some suggesting that his in-game power might peak at an average level.
Wetherholt's journey to becoming a first-round pick is noteworthy. He is the first player from West Virginia University to be selected in the first round since the Toronto Blue Jays picked Alek Manoah with the No. 11 pick in 2019. Furthermore, he is West Virginia's first first-round position player since Joseph Honce was chosen No. 12 by the Minnesota Twins in 1973.
The Cardinals' decision to invest in Wetherholt speaks volumes about his potential to solidify their infield defense. Second base is seen as his likely landing spot, where his defensive skills and solid hitting ability could make a significant impact. The team’s confidence in Wetherholt suggests that they believe his injury woes are behind him, and that his future in professional baseball is bright.
Wetherholt’s selection marks the beginning of his professional career, a milestone that many in the baseball community believe he is well-equipped to handle. The Cardinals’ faith in his abilities, despite the challenging junior year, highlights his resilience and talent. As Wetherholt embarks on this next chapter, the baseball world will be watching closely to see how his career unfolds.
The St. Louis Cardinals, known for their ability to spot and nurture talent, have shown once again why they are a respected organization in Major League Baseball. By selecting Wetherholt, they have demonstrated that they value not just past performance, but potential and the ability to overcome adversity. For Wetherholt, the journey from West Virginia to the majors has just begun, and if his college career is any indication, he has a promising road ahead.