Down 2-1 in the sixth against the Twins, runner on, Cardinals needing life — JJ Wetherholt delivered the kind of swing that makes you sit up straight. The 23-year-old infielder turned on a pitch and blasted a two-run shot, flipping the score to 3-2 and sending a jolt through the lineup. The lead didn’t hold and Minnesota eventually walked away with the win after both clubs scratched across two more to knot it at four, but what Wetherholt did in that moment was ridiculous in the best way.
He’s not just producing — he’s producing at a level that forces you to check the rookie leaderboards and then double-check the calendar. Through 65 games, Wetherholt is hitting .256/.361/.404 with 10 homers and 31 RBIs. He’s started all but three games for St. Louis, played elite defense up the middle, and shown the kind of plate discipline and power that usually takes years to develop. The slash line tells the story: on-base skills that keep innings alive and enough extra-base pop to punish mistakes.
The historical bar sits high in St. Louis. Albert Pujols owns the franchise record with 37 homers as a rookie in 2001. Paul DeJong sits second with 25 in his debut season. Wetherholt’s current pace projects to just over 24 long balls across a full 159-game slate. That puts him squarely in range of DeJong’s mark and keeps the dream of climbing closer to Pujols territory alive, even if 37 would require an even hotter finish. Reaching second on that list would be a legitimate achievement for any first-year player.
What stands out most is how complete the package looks right now. The power is obvious, but the walk rate and hard contact have held steady while the defense has been a steadying force in the infield. St. Louis couldn’t have scripted a much better start from their top prospect. The Cardinals have played solid baseball overall this season and sit in a good spot — and a big reason starts with the kid who just keeps showing up.
Wetherholt has been every bit as advertised. The bat speed, the approach, the glove — it’s all translating faster than most expected. At 23, he’s already forcing conversations about not just Rookie of the Year but long-term cornerstone status. The organization has a star on its hands, and there’s no point pretending otherwise.