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.
Wetherholt, who was once a candidate for the No. 1 overall spot, saw his draft standing impacted by a challenging junior year. Despite these challenges, he carried high expectations, ranking No. 1 on many preseason lists and drawing considerable attention from scouts and evaluators.
However, a serious hamstring injury sustained during Opening Weekend essentially cut Wetherholt’s junior year in half, sidelining him for nearly two months and limiting him to approximately a half-season's worth of at-bats. Even under such constraints, Wetherholt slashed .331/.472/.589, with eight home runs and nearly twice as many walks (30) as strikeouts (17) over 36 games, showcasing his prowess at the plate.
Evaluators have projected a 70-grade on Wetherholt’s hit tool, praising his ability to make consistent contact. However, there have been noted concerns about his power projections. While Wetherholt can certainly put the ball in play, his in-game power might peak at an average level, raising some questions about his long-term offensive ceiling.
For the Cardinals, the selection of Wetherholt marks a significant step in solidifying their infield defense. Second base is seen as Wetherholt's likely landing spot, where his defensive abilities and reliable hitting could make an immediate impact.
Wetherholt's selection is a landmark moment for West Virginia University. He is the first player from WVU to be selected in the first round since the Toronto Blue Jays picked Alek Manoah with the No. 11 pick in 2019. Additionally, he is West Virginia's first first-round position player since Joseph Honce was chosen No. 12 by the Minnesota Twins way back in 1973.
This move underscores the Cardinals' faith in Wetherholt’s abilities and potential. His selection signifies not just the beginning of his professional career, but also a story of perseverance and resilience, given the adversity he faced during his junior year. The faith shown by the Cardinals in selecting him at No. 7 speaks volumes about his potential to thrive at the professional level.
All eyes will be on Wetherholt as he transitions from the college ranks to professional baseball, with fans and analysts alike eager to see how his skills and determination will translate in the major leagues. In overcoming a challenging season and making it to the first round, JJ Wetherholt’s journey to the MLB is just beginning, and the Cardinals are confident that they have found a cornerstone infielder for the future.