Cardinals’ prized prospect JJ Wetherholt battles back from soreness but stays in minors as Memphis falls to Jumbo Shrimp
The St. Louis Cardinals are nurturing one of the most promising talents in baseball with JJ Wetherholt, currently ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the game. Drafted seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft, Wetherholt has showcased his prowess in the minor leagues, leaving a trail of impressive statistics in his wake.
Dominance in the Minor Leagues
Wetherholt’s performance this season is nothing short of remarkable. Through 101 games spread across Double-A and Triple-A, he has maintained a batting average of .306, coupled with an impressive .421 on-base percentage and a .513 slugging percentage. His power and speed are evident in his 16 home runs, 55 runs batted in, and 21 stolen bases. Despite this stellar performance, the Cardinals have been clear about their intentions: Wetherholt will not be called up to the big leagues this season.
Injury Update
Recently, Wetherholt faced a setback as he missed five consecutive games for the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. While some speculated about the potential impact on his ascent to the majors, the team has indicated that the issue is not serious. A team spokesperson reported that Wetherholt was dealing with general soreness stemming from a non-baseball-related ailment.
Return to Action
After this brief absence, Wetherholt made his return to the Memphis lineup on Wednesday, taking the leadoff spot. Although he did not record a hit, he still managed to contribute by drawing a walk and scoring a run, all while striking out once. Unfortunately for the Redbirds, Wetherholt’s efforts were not enough to secure a win, as they fell to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp by a narrow margin of 9-8.
As the season progresses, the Cardinals remain committed to developing Wetherholt in the minors, allowing him to hone his skills further before making the leap to the major leagues. His journey continues to be one to watch as he refines his game in hopes of one day donning a Cardinals uniform at the highest level.
