Mountaineers in the Pros
JJ Wetherholt Named National League Rookie of the Year Favorite
Former WVU baseball star JJ Wetherholt is the top prospect for the St. Louis Cardinals. And after being drafted in the 2024 MLB Draft and having minor league season worthy of national recognition in 2025, Wetherholt is now predicted to win the National League Rookie of the Year.
Wetherholt made an impact during his three seasons with the Mountaineers from 2022 to 2024. With West Virginia, Wetherholt hit 29 total home runs, 129 RBI, stole 57 bases, and had an overall batting average of .370. He was named the Big 12 Conference Baseball Player of the Year in 2022.
Wetherholt would become the highest draft pick in WVU baseball history when he was drafted seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft.
Wetherholt would play in both Double-A and Triple-A throughout 2025. Across both levels, Wetherholt hit 28 doubles, 17 home runs, 59 RBI, and stole 23 bases. He was named the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month in July.
In July 2025, Wetherholt took part in MLB’s All-Star Futures Game. Wetherholt would be the leadoff hitter and recorded one hit for the NL Futures.
“When you see him on the field, he does stand out, especially defensively or even on the bases. He might not be the fastest but he’s going to put pressure on the pitcher, try to steal a base,” Wetherholt’s father said during the All-Star Futures Game.
With the 2026 season looming, Wetherholt will get a chance to make the starting lineup for the Cardinals. With St. Louis retooling after finishing last season with a record of 78-84, Joel Reuter of Bleacher Report is projecting Wetherholt to make the starting lineup. For this to happen, veteran infielders such as Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan would need to be traded.
“I think you are going to see him starting in St. Louis here pretty soon,” Chipper Jones, Baseball Hall of Famer and All-Star NL Futures Manager, said about Wetherholt.
Find more coverage of JJ Wetherholt at WV Sports Now.
