WVU’s JJ Wetherholt Continues To Accrue Preseason Awards

Anticipation continues to build for what will likely be standout shortstop JJ Wetherholt’s final season for WVU Baseball, as the 2023 Big 12 Player of the Year received preseason All-American honors from Baseball America, one of the six major polling publications that covers collegiate baseball. 

This recognition marks the most recent in a series of preseason awards for the likely MLB lottery pick, as Wetherholt also received preseason All-American selections from publications like D1 Baseball and Perfect Game, along with a unanimous selection as the 2024 Big 12 Player of the Year.

The junior burst onto the scene last season, leading the nation with his .449 batting average and adding 16 home runs, 24 doubles and 36 stolen bases. His performance helped pave the way for perhaps the best season in the history of the program, as the Mountaineers won a share of the regular season Big 12 conference title.

Given the national attention and sky high expectations surrounding him, JJ Wetherholt will have his work cut out for him as he tries to build on last season’s performance, but he’s shown throughout his career with the Mountaineers that he’s more than capable of rising to the occasion. he will also have ample opportunities to showcase his ability as a leader, as the Mountaineers are a young team that lost much of the core of veteran leaders that helped them succeed last season.