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. Once pegged as a potential No. 1 overall pick, Wetherholt's draft standing was notably impacted by a challenging junior year.
High Expectations Tempered by Injury
Entering the season, Wetherholt carried high expectations, ranking No. 1 on many preseason lists and drawing considerable attention from scouts and evaluators. However, a serious hamstring injury during Opening Weekend essentially cut his junior year in half. Sidelined for nearly two months, Wetherholt only managed to scrape together approximately a half-season's worth of at-bats. Despite these setbacks, his performance over 36 games was noteworthy. He slashed .331/.472/.589, featuring eight home runs and nearly twice as many walks (30) as strikeouts (17).
Scouting Evaluations and Positional Projections
Evaluators are particularly impressed by Wetherholt's hit tool, projecting a stellar 70-grade in this area. However, concerns about his power projections have been noted. Some scouts believe his in-game power might peak at an average level. As discussions about his future role continue, second base is seen as his most likely landing spot, given his skill set and defensive capabilities.
Historic Achievement for West Virginia
Wetherholt's selection marks a historic moment for West Virginia University. He becomes the first player from the school to be selected in the first round since the Toronto Blue Jays picked Alek Manoah with the No. 11 pick in 2019. Additionally, Wetherholt is the first first-round position player from West Virginia since Joseph Honce was chosen No. 12 by the Minnesota Twins in 1973.
A Vote of Confidence from the Cardinals
The Cardinals' faith in Wetherholt's abilities speaks volumes about his potential. The organization sees significant promise in his ability to solidify their infield defense and contribute to their lineup. Despite the injury-plagued season, St. Louis remains confident in his overall development and long-term impact on the team. By investing their No. 7 pick in him, the Cardinals have made a clear statement about their belief in Wetherholt's talent and future contributions to the franchise.
Looking Ahead
With his selection, Wetherholt's professional career officially begins. The journey from a promising high school athlete to a first-round MLB draft pick is a testament to his resilience, talent, and perseverance. Although his junior year was marred by injury, Wetherholt's potential, especially reflected in his impressive slash line and scouting projections, remains undiminished.
The St. Louis Cardinals and their fans now eagerly await to see how Wetherholt will develop and integrate into their roster. His advancement through the minor leagues will be closely monitored, as expectations are high for the West Virginia standout to eventually make a significant impact at the major league level.