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WVU Baseball Alum JJ Wetherholt Earns Promotion From St. Louis Cardinals

JJ Wetherholt was called up to the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds on Monday, getting one step closer to achieving his dreams of playing in the MLB.
ByDylan Pauley|
Feb 25, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter JJ Wetherholt (87) prepares for batting practice before a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images
Feb 25, 2025; Dunedin, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals designated hitter JJ Wetherholt (87) prepares for batting practice before a spring training game against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images | Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

Fresh off his first multi-home run game in minor league baseball, former WVU baseball standout JJ Wetherholt has earned a call-up from the St. Louis Cardinals to their Triple-A affiliate program.

Former WVU baseball great JJ Wetherholt got the news on Monday that he was being promoted to the Memphis Redbirds at the Triple-A level, which is the highest level of minor league baseball. This comes after Wetherholt has spent just two seasons in the minor leagues, starting in Single-A after he was selected as the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft by the Cardinals. This season, he's been playing for Double-A affiliate Springfield Cardinals -- during his 62 games this season with the team, Wetherholt hit an even .300 with seven home runs and recorded a .891 OPS in his time in Double-A.

Ranked as the Cardinals' number one prospect and MLB’s 19th-ranked prospect, it's only a matter of time before Wetherholt makes the jump to the main MLB roster. Some who follow the Cardinals were concerned that Wetherholt might be log-jammed at the Double-A level because of Thomas Saggese, who is currently on the major league roster but might be moving back down to the minor leagues after struggling at the big league level. Also, ahead of Wetherholt in the infield is Mason Wynn, who has established himself as a viable young shortstop with some upside that the Cardinals are excited about for his future.

Across his minor league career, Wetherholt's slash line reads .299/419/.445, good for a .864 OPS. However, he has made tremendous strides between year one and year two. In 33 more games at the Double-A level than the Single-A level, Wetherholt was able to increase his batting average by .005, increase his on-base percentage by .020, and his slugging by .066 despite the inr.ese in action. That level of increased production is rarely seen. Instead of taking a step back or taking some time to adjust to the increase in competition, Wetherholt got better with his move from Single-A to Double-A.

If Wetherholt can continue to get better at the next level of competition, then we could be seeing the former Mountaineer join his fellow former WVU teammate Victor Scott II on the St. Louis Cardinals' main roster before the season is over. Even with other middle infielders ahead of him in the system, if he continues to improve at the next level, it is not crazy to wonder if Wetherholt can leapfrog those teammates.

When Wetherholt makes his debut with the Memphis Redbirds, Cardinals fans and WVU fans alike will be excitedly awaiting to see what the young middle infielder is capable of at the doorstep of the big leagues. Hopefully we hear his number being called by the Cardinals sooner rather than later.

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