In a move that blends both surprise and strategic foresight, the St. Louis Cardinals took a significant step forward by selecting West Virginia's middle infielder JJ Wetherholt with the No. 7 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft on Sunday night. Once considered a top contender for the No. 1 overall spot, Wetherholt’s journey to this point has been anything but straightforward.
Entering the 2024 season, Wetherholt was heralded as one of the premier talents in college baseball. He topped numerous preseason rankings with scouts and evaluators across the board keeping a close eye on his progress. However, a serious hamstring injury sustained during Opening Weekend dramatically altered the course of his junior year. The injury sidelined Wetherholt for nearly two months, reducing his season to roughly half the usual number of games and impacting his draft standing significantly.
Despite the setback, Wetherholt's statistics over the truncated season remained impressive. In 36 games, he posted a slash line of .331/.472/.589, hit eight home runs, and demonstrated impeccable plate discipline with nearly twice as many walks (30) as strikeouts (17). These numbers reflect the high expectations that evaluators had for him before the season began, particularly the 70-grade projection on his hit tool.
However, there are notable concerns regarding his power projections. While Wetherholt has shown flashes of power, evaluators believe his in-game power might only peak at an average level. This hasn’t dampened the Cardinals' enthusiasm about his overall skill set, particularly his ability to enhance their infield defense.
Notably, Wetherholt becomes the first player from West Virginia University to be selected in the first round since Alek Manoah was picked by the Toronto Blue Jays at No. 11 back in 2019. Additionally, he is the first West Virginia position player to achieve a first-round selection since Joseph Honce was chosen by the Minnesota Twins at No. 12 in 1973.
The Cardinals' decision to invest in Wetherholt speaks volumes about his potential. Despite the injury-riddled junior season, the organization views him as a player capable of making a significant impact at the professional level. Second base is seen as his most likely position, where his defensive capabilities can solidify the Cardinals' infield.
Wetherholt’s journey from a highly touted prospect to overcoming injury adversity and finally hearing his name called in the first round marks the beginning of a promising professional career. The Cardinals’ faith in him underscores his potential to become a mainstay in their lineup, showcasing that resilience and talent often find their way to the forefront, even when the path is unexpectedly challenging.