JJ Wetherholt made his debut at the major league level on Thursday after time at the minor league level last season, and the former first round MLB Draft selection made clear exactly why he belongs in the lineup for the St. Louis Cardinals.
Big things were expected from Wetherholt after his strong performance at the Double-A and Triple-A level last year, and he was named a Top 5 MLB Prospect entering the year. So it was no surprise to see him in the starting rotation come Thursday's Opening Day clash between St. Louis and the Tampa Bay Rays, and he earned the distinction of becoming the first rookie to make his debut as a lead-off hitter for the club since 1949.
Former WVU baseball star JJ Wetherholt smashes a solo homer for his first MLB hit
Wetherholt didn't manage to snag a hit at his first at-bat in the majors, but he certainly didn't end the day without his first MLB hit. And when that moment came, it came in a big way.
In the third inning of the contest, Wetherholt blasted a solo home run in his first-ever hit at the MLB level, sending it 425 feet over the centerfield wall to put the Cardinals up 1-0 in the game.
First MLB hit ✅
— St. Louis Cardinals (@Cardinals) March 26, 2026
First MLB home run ✅
First MLB curtain call ✅
Welcome to St. Louis, JJ Wetherholt!! pic.twitter.com/sj61G1I1bV
Later in the contest, Wetherholt would drive home two RBIs during an eight-run sixth inning for the Cardinals which would end up securing a 9-7 victory for the team in their first game of the season. He finished 1-of-4 at the plate with two RBIs and one run.
His former West Virginia teammate Victor Scott II also had a strong day at the plate, going 3-of-4 ad tallying on run of his own.