One of the biggest question marks among MLB prospects in the last few months has been the question of when former WVU infielder JJ Wetherholt was going to get the call-up to the big-league team this season. We now might have an answer to that question, but not one that WVU faithful wanted to hear.
During an interview earlier this month with “The Morning After,” an ESPN radio show, St. Louis Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak did not think it was a good idea to call up Wetherholt when MLB rosters are expanded in September. Citing that Wetherholt would be protected from the Rule 5 Draft. Wetherholt does not need to be included on the 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft until the year 2028.
John Mozeliak pours cold water on Cardinals' potential promotion of JJ Wetherholt (via @jbuc14)https://t.co/DKRUTCR8Iv
— Redbird Rants (@FSRedbirdRants) August 13, 2025
"It's not the protection year, so I think it's not necessarily in the best interest for the organization to do that. Even though it might be fun and exciting, you're not forced to put them on the roster this offseason, and so that's definitely something that should be a part of the equation," Mozeliak said.
There is still a chance that Wetherholt might be called up in September. The Cardinals are still in the thick of the NL Wild Card hunt and could advance their position with an easy schedule during August. Mozeliak and Chaim Bloom, who has been named as the successor to Mozeliak after the conclusion of the 2025 season, could be on different pages. It is unclear who is making the roster decisions as of right now for the Cardinals, giving Wetherholt a chance to be activated to the major league roster in September.
Wetherholt is doing his part to be called up in his first full professional season
Since joining the triple-A team, the Memphis Redbirds, Wetherholt has been posting a staggering .310/.403/.640 slash line and a 1.073 OPS. In addition to his slash line, the young former Mountaineer infielder has hit nine home runs, driven in 17 RBIs, and swiped three bags in his 26 games played for Memphis. Many assumed his numbers would take a little dip facing tougher pitching in AAA, but the numbers scream the exact opposite. Wetherholt’s batting average, slugging percentage, and OPS have all increased from his 62 games played in AA. His home run total increased from seven home runs in 62 AA games to nine home runs in only 26 games in AAA.
It is safe to assume that Wetherholt’s play on the field is not the reason he has not been called up. There are several rumored reasons why Wetherholt has not been called up yet, but no one knows for sure the true reason(s). It appears to Cardinals fans, MLB fans, WVU fans, and other fans that some behind-the-scenes strings are, or are not, being pulled in favor of the young infielder.
Cardinals and WVU fans should be patient for the arrival of Mr. Wetherholt. Whenever his name is finally called, it will be a special day for the Wetherholt family, Cardinals fans, and WVU fans. One of the greatest anticipations for a Cardinals prospect in a long time. Cardinals and WVU fans will have to wait until that day arrives.