Cardinals' JJ Wetherholt Ranked Among MLB's Top Rookies The St. Louis Cardinals are in the middle of a substantial rebuild, having traded four of their best players during the offseason and relying heavily on young talent to carry the team this season. Among the emerging stars, rookie shortstop JJ Wetherholt has emerged as the team’s most promising player, though he is not yet the most impactful contributor in the lineup. Still, his potential has positioned him as a key figure around whom the Cardinals could build a competitive roster. The high expectations for Wetherholt, however, have been tempered by his early performance, which has drawn both praise and cautious optimism from analysts. CBS Sports’ Dayn Perry recently ranked Wetherholt as the No. 10 best rookie in Major League Baseball for the 2026 season, a recognition that highlights his value despite the challenges of adapting to the major leagues. Perry’s assessment underscores Wetherholt’s advanced skills and the potential he brings to the Cardinals’ future. However, the ranking may also reflect the gap between his current performance and the lofty expectations set by his pre-draft reputation. Wetherholt, a former No. 7 overall pick from West Virginia, was promoted to the majors ahead of the 2026 season, securing the second-base job in the Cardinals’ infield. His transition to the big leagues has been marked by steady development, with Perry noting that the move proved to be a “sage promotion” so far. While Wetherholt has not yet shown the power that made him a top prospect, his plate discipline and defensive abilities have made him a valuable asset. Through 12 games, he is slashing .244/.364/.333 with a .697 OPS, a home run, three stolen bases, and eight walks. His on-base percentage (.#west_virginia #jj_wetherholt #oliver_marmol #cardinals #dayn_perry
