JJ Wetherholt Playing At Dominant Level Since Earning Triple-A Promotion

The former WVU baseball star is hitting his stride for the Memphis Redbirds.
2025 MLB All-Star Week: Futures Game
2025 MLB All-Star Week: Futures Game | Jasen Vinlove/Miami Marlins/GettyImages

Former WVU baseball star JJ Wetherholt could not be playing much better than he is right now. After a recent promotion from the Double-A to Triple-A level, Wetherholt is trying to force the St. Louis Cardinals into a tough decision about just how soon they want to call him up to the majors.

On Wednesday, Wetherholt blasted a pair of home runs in a 6-0 for the Memphis Redbirds, who serve as the Cardinals' Triple-A affiliate. This comes just a month after his first multi-homer game at the Double-A level. It was another impressive effort in a stretch of massive games for Wetherholt -- he led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run a day prior on Tuesday, and recorded two doubles that both registered over 106 mph exit velocities last Friday as he went 4-4 for the first time in his professional career. Wetherholt raised his slash line to .359/.455/.956 in eight games at the Triple-A level with the effort.

Wetherholt is having the best stretch of his career. From making the MLB All-Star Futures Game and ripping a double during the contest, to getting promoted to the Triple-A level, and now dominating the competition at that level -- it's safe to say Wetherholt's career prospects look good.

But one arguable reason why Wetherholt might not be promoted to the majors this year despite his dominant play is due to the Cardinals' control over his contract. The Cardinals could be trying to save money by keeping Wetherholt in those pre-arbitration years before they have to pay him more money after arbitration.

WVU baseball fans will be waiting to see if Wetherholt gets the call to the big leagues this year or next. It will be interesting to see what the St. Louis Cardinals will do regarding Wetherholt.


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