Mountaineers in the Pros
JJ Wetherholt Signs Rookie Deal with St. Louis Cardinals
JJ Wetherholt and the St. Louis Cardinals have officially agreed to terms on the WVU product’s rookie contract. The Cardinals announced the signing of Wetherholt on Tuesday, awarding him a $6.9 million signing bonus as part of the deal.
On July 14, Wetherholt was drafted by the Cardinals with the seventh overall pick of the 2024 MLB Draft.
Ready to work! 💪
We have agreed to terms with our 2024 first round draft pick, JJ Wetherholt!#ForTheLou pic.twitter.com/3WNYeKdqL1
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) July 23, 2024
Despite missing half of the season with an injury, Wetherholt still hit eight home runs and recorded 30 RBI while posting a .375 batting average during the regular season.
In 2023, Wetherholt hit .449 with 16 home runs and 36 bases stolen bases and was a finalist for college baseball’s Dick Howser Trophy.
Wetherholt became the top star during the most successful period in WVU baseball program history. The team accomplishments were highlighted by back-to-back NCAA Regional appearances, a Super Regional and even a share of a Big 12 regular season title.
The Mars, Pa. native became the highest drafted player in program history. Prior to JJ Wetherholt, former West Virginia ace Alek Manoah tied ex Mountaineer Chris Enochs for the honor. Manoah was drafted 11th overall by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2019. Enochs was also taken at No. 11 in 1997 by the Oakland Athletics.