In a move that combines surprise with strategy, the St. Louis Cardinals have chosen West Virginia middle infielder JJ Wetherholt with the No. 7 pick in the 2024 MLB draft on Sunday night. This selection comes as a testament to the Cardinals' belief in Wetherholt's potential, despite the challenges he faced during his junior year.
Ranked No. 1 on many preseason lists and attracting significant attention from scouts, Wetherholt was once in contention for the No. 1 overall pick. However, a serious hamstring injury sustained during Opening Weekend sidelined him for nearly two months. This setback truncated his season to roughly half its expected length and significantly impacted his draft standing.
Despite the injury, Wetherholt posted impressive statistics, slashing .331/.472/.589 with eight home runs over just 36 games. His plate discipline was notable, as he recorded nearly twice as many walks (30) as strikeouts (17). Evaluators have bestowed a 70-grade on his hit tool, underscoring his offensive prowess. Nonetheless, there are concerns regarding his power potential, with projections suggesting his in-game power might peak at an average level.
Second base is considered Wetherholt's likely landing spot, where the Cardinals hope he will solidify their infield defense. His selection marks a significant moment for West Virginia University, making him the first player from the school to be chosen in the first round since the Toronto Blue Jays picked Alek Manoah with the No. 11 pick in 2019. Additionally, Wetherholt becomes West Virginia's first first-round position player since Joseph Honce, who was selected No. 12 by the Minnesota Twins in 1973.
The Cardinals' commitment to Wetherholt sends a strong signal about his potential to contribute at the Major League level. Despite the injury-related setbacks, the organization sees promise in his ability to enhance their team dynamics and strengthen their roster depth.
Wetherholt's journey to this point has been marked by high expectations and unwavering determination. His resilience in the face of adversity, combined with his promising performance when healthy, has earned him this opportunity to embark on his professional career with the Cardinals.
The MLB draft is always a moment of excitement and anticipation, where teams look to secure the future stars of the game. For the Cardinals, selecting Wetherholt represents a calculated risk that they believe will pay off in the long run. As he transitions from collegiate baseball to the professional ranks, all eyes will be on Wetherholt to see how he adapts and develops within the Cardinals' system.
In a sport where potential is closely scrutinized and every pick is a gamble, the choice of JJ Wetherholt at No. 7 speaks volumes about the Cardinals' confidence in both his talent and character. As the next chapter of his baseball career begins, Wetherholt has the chance to prove that he is more than capable of meeting and exceeding the expectations placed upon him, injury concerns notwithstanding.