No Disrespect to Michael McGreevy, but the Cardinals’ Youth Movement Begins and Ends with JJ Wetherholt
The St. Louis Cardinals are shifting gears as the season winds down. Sitting just below .500 and officially entering evaluation mode for 2026 and beyond. With two months left on the schedule, attention needs to turn to a youth movement, particularly their top prospect — JJ Wetherholt.
How soon will Wetherholt follow Michael McGreevy to the Big Club?
Ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect and the No. 16 overall in baseball by MLB Pipeline, Wetherholt has made an immediate impact since his recent promotion to Triple-A Memphis. Through 16 games, the 22-year-old infielder is slashing an impressive .344/.417/.762 with six home runs, two stolen bases, and a stellar 1.179 OPS. Even more notable is his plate discipline: just eight strikeouts in 61 at-bats.
Wetherholt was drafted seventh overall in 2024 out of West Virginia University and quickly rose through the ranks. After a brief stint in A-ball last year, he began 2025 in Double-A Springfield and hit .300 over 62 games with seven homers. That performance earned him a ticket to Memphis.
What Position Does Wetherholt Play for the Cardinals?
Defensively, Wetherholt offers positional flexibility. Primarily a shortstop in the minors, he has experience at second base and played third base during his college career. With Masyn Winn and Brendan Donovan locked in as the middle infield duo for the rest of this season, third base may offer Wetherholt his best opportunity to break into the Cardinals’ lineup.
That timing lines up with Nolan Arenado’s trip to the injured list due to a right shoulder strain — and his ongoing offensive struggles. The veteran is having the worst statistical season of his career, and with the Cardinals no longer chasing a playoff spot, there’s little urgency to rush him back. Wetherholt started his first professional game at third base this past Sunday, perhaps offering a preview of what’s to come.
Looking ahead, St. Louis still sees Donovan and Winn as integral to their future. Arenado, meanwhile, has been the subject of trade rumors for over a year. If the front office finally pulls the trigger on a deal this offseason, Wetherholt could find himself competing for the starting third base job in 2026. If not, the Cardinals may need to get creative to get their top prospect everyday at-bats.
Either way, JJ Wetherholt’s breakout is impossible to ignore — and he could be the centerpiece of the Cardinals’ next chapter.
