The Future is Bright for the St. Louis Cardinals: Young Team Aims to Get Even Younger in Offseason
The St. Louis Cardinals have their sights set on a younger and more dynamic team for the upcoming season. As they bid farewell to veteran players like Miles Mikolas, the Cardinals are also exploring potential trades for big names like Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, and possibly Willson Contreras. But amidst all the changes, one name stands out as a key player for the future of the team: top prospect JJ Wetherholt.
Wetherholt, a rising star in the Cardinals’ farm system, has been making waves with his impressive skills and potential. The 21-year-old catcher has been turning heads with his strong arm, quick reflexes, and powerful hitting. And with the Cardinals’ focus on building a younger and more dynamic team, Wetherholt’s talents make him a valuable asset for the future.
But it’s not just his on-field abilities that make Wetherholt a standout prospect. His work ethic and determination have also caught the attention of the Cardinals’ coaching staff. Wetherholt’s dedication to improving his game and his willingness to learn from experienced players make him a promising addition to the team.
As the Cardinals continue to make moves in the offseason, all eyes will be on Wetherholt and his potential impact on the team. With his impressive skills and bright future, he is sure to be a key player in the Cardinals’ quest for success. So keep an eye out for JJ Wetherholt, because he is definitely a name to remember in the world of baseball. his performance in Triple-A, it’s a risk worth taking.
The Future of the St. Louis Cardinals: Extending Top Prospect JJ Wetherholt Before His MLB Debut
The St. Louis Cardinals are a team with a clear focus on the future. As they head into the offseason, they are looking to get even younger by potentially trading away veterans like Miles Mikolas and Nolan Arenado. But one of the most exciting prospects for the Cardinals is JJ Wetherholt, who has been dominating in Triple-A and could soon make his Major League debut.
Wetherholt’s potential has caught the attention of Redbird Rants writer Josh Jacobs, who believes the Cardinals should take a bold step and sign him to a long-term deal before he even plays a game in the Majors. While this may seem like a risky move, Jacobs argues that the potential reward is worth it.
“Extending a prospect who has never even played a game at the Major League level is quite the risk,” Jacobs writes, “but if I were the St. Louis Cardinals, I would be exploring that right now with JJ Wetherholt.”
Jacobs acknowledges that such a decision could backfire if Wetherholt struggles in the Majors, but he also points out the success of other young players who have received early contract extensions, such as Corbin Carroll and Roman Anthony.
According to Jacobs, the Cardinals should offer Wetherholt a deal worth over $100 million, which would cover several years of his free agency. With his impressive performance in Triple-A, this could be a reasonable offer for the Cardinals.
In 26 games in Triple-A, Wetherholt has been a force at the plate, hitting .310 with a .403 on-base percentage, a .670 slugging percentage, and a remarkable 1.073 OPS. He has also shown his power with nine home runs and 17 RBIs in just 100 at-bats.
It’s likely that Wetherholt will either make his MLB debut in the final games of the 2025 season or in 2026 under the leadership of new president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom. Jacobs believes that Bloom could make a statement by offering Wetherholt a long-term deal, but ultimately, it would be up to ownership to approve such a move.
While there is always a risk when signing a player who has yet to prove themselves in the Majors, Jacobs believes that Wetherholt’s potential is worth taking a chance on. And with the Cardinals’ focus on the future, signing Wetherholt to a long-term deal could be a smart move for the team.
