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JJ Wetherholt set for impactful MLB arrival in Cardinals' starting lineup

The former West Virginia standout and first round 2024 MLB draft pick will make his major league debut on Opening Day on Thursday.
ByJoseph Smith|
Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter JJ Wetherholt (77) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 27, 2026; Jupiter, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter JJ Wetherholt (77) rounds the bases after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the fourth inning at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

It's Opening Day for several MLB Teams on Thursday, including the St. Louis Cardinals. And one former WVU baseball star will make his debut at the top level of professional baseball in a big way.

JJ Wetherholt, who was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, has spent the first season and a half of his career at the minor league level, but was recently named to the Opening Day roster for the Cardinals after entering Spring Trainingas a Top 5 MLB prospect.Now, with the first pitch of the season scheduled for Thursday afternoon for the Cardinals, Wetherholt's massive role with the Cardinals has been revealed.

JJ Wetherholt in prominent role for massive Opening Day debut with St. Louis Cardinals

Wetherholt will start for the Cardinals on Thursday at second base, andwill also serveas the lead-off for St. Louis as they host the Tampa Bay Rays in the first of a three-game series at Busch Stadium this weekend. He is the first rookie tomake his MLB debut as the lead-off man for the Cardinalssince 1949 and the first to do so on Opening Day since 1944.

JJ Wetherholt leads off (!) and starts at second base for the@Cardinalsin his MLB debut today.

Here's what to expect:https://t.co/MzUhu4AFaOpic.twitter.com/zeNC2Qd1oL

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline)March 26, 2026

The Cardinalsnamed Wetherholttheir 2025 Minor League Player of the Year for his effort at the Double-A and Triple-A levels, spending the summeron a dominant tour of the minor leagues.

He played in 109 games split between the two levels, Wetherholt slashed .306/.421/.510/.931 with 28 doubles, 17 homers and 59 RBIs. He also managed four lead-off home runs – an indicator of why the Cardinals may want him in that lead-off role – and recorded 23 stolen bases.

Wetherholt spent three seasons at the collegiate level with the Mountaineers, recording 206 hits, 129 RBIs, and 29 home runs during his tenure with the program. Hewill join former West Virginia teammate Victor Scott IIin the Cardinals' starting rotation after beinga prominent fixturein the line-up in recent season. Now, West Virginia and St. Louis fans can look forward to seeing both on the same team on the biggest stage in the sport.

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