How aggressive should Cards be with Wetherholt?

[Ronnie Dobbs]

He’s doing very well, but not like he’s annihilating AA. Leave him be for now. I also try not to get too excited when a see an exciting offensive stat line in that league. Lots of offense there.

And let’s not forget how the Cardinals being aggressive with their prospects based on AA success has bitten them before.

[An Old Friend]

Could he hit better than Walker? Bring him up and stick him in LF

Or play him at 2B and move Donovan to LF.

Why would you bring Weterholt up instead of Saggese? Saggese had better numbers at AA and at a younger age.

Wetherholt hasn’t even played 30 games there. He’s got an immensely better profile in the batters box than does Saggese (caveat - Saggese is showing better discipline this season, clearly a focus).

[Swuhgen]

He’s doing very well, but not like he’s annihilating AA. Leave him be for now. I also try not to get too excited when a see an exciting offensive stat line in that league. Lots of offense there.

And let’s not forget how the Cardinals being aggressive with their prospects based on AA success has bitten them before.

Exactly. He’s doing well but not lighting it up. Keep him there another couple months.

[AZ_Cardsfan]

I let him rake in AA all season and if he is still hot and STL is out of the playoffs give him a cup of coffee in September. never a bad idea to open their eyes to ML pitching so they understand why they are going back to AAA the next year.

I would cosign the above strategy. What on earth is the rush? We have four pending free agents and Nado that may all be moving on by 30july. Even at five games over .500, the Cards are not preparing for a playoff run. Maybe Roby, Koperniak and Sagesse and a few others get some playing time in August and September. JJ can get a whiff of MLB pitching.

The rush is the Cards may have him pencilled in for a starting role in St Louis as soon as next season.

What was the rush with Skenes? Or Pujols? Or Al Kaline? Jackson Holliday? Bobby Witt Jr? Countless other young stars.

If he's not ready, he's not ready. BUT...if he's ready, why not be aggressive?

I am not advocating for JJ but agree with you ..
Never bought into the ‘why rush a player?’ mantra.
If you can play at MLB , you play. Some think EVERY kid must ‘prove himself’ at AA, move to AAA ,etc before going to the Show.
Nationals picked Bryce Harper first pick. Some on here would have said yeah great talent but at 19 start him in minors so he can prove himself. No need to rush this teenager.
He did play at 19 hit 34 HR .270 BA in 139 games
My point is.. it’s individualized a few can play at highest level and do fine.
Years ago when I lived in Wisconsin the Brewers started an 18 yr old at SS. What was the rush ? Robin Yount was the kid. He now is in Cooperstown Hall of Fame. Did reward know thru had H of F player at 18? No, but they did know he had lot of talent so they played him in big league from the get go.
So a rare few can play.. to say all need to ‘show it in minors first’ is a preconceived idea. Have to be open minded on each player.

I play golf with a guy who never got a shot at the majors because he was a SS in the MIL system behind Yount. Not lucky that.

BTW I agree a few can make the jump. Griffey Jr. A-Rod. But it is rare and I will hope that Cards can see what level of play JJ is up to and not rush him or artificially hold him back.

[11WSChamps]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

Walker is not proof of that. Besides I believe Walker played a full season in AA (and did well) before getting promoted to AAA, if not it was very close to a full season. Each player is their own entity and each player should have their own development plan, if not the organization is sunk.

With that said, I have no idea what these players need or don't neither does anyone on this forum, I am hopeful they do the right thing, not the thing that I or you or anyone else wants.

Yeah I kind of think he is.

It's clear with all the back and forth with Walkers swing which is still a work in progress he wasn't ready.

[11WSChamps]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

So what are Argo and Winn proof of? Not every prospect/suspect is JW. JJ was a potential #1 pick if not for his hammies. Successful college career. JW have any of that?

He needs to bring AAA.

Who said anything about Winn or Scott?

[scoutyjones2]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

So what are Argo and Winn proof of? Not every prospect/suspect is JW. JJ was a potential #1 pick if not for his hammies. Successful college career. JW have any of that?

He needs to bring AAA.

Who said anything about Winn or Scott?

Hey dumb[ash], you referenced JW as why not to rush...I cited 2 more as why. Sorry that flew to far over your head. And JJ has a college background and would have been the #1 choice, if not for hammies. JW has no pedigree like that

[11WSChamps]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

So what are Argo and Winn proof of? Not every prospect/suspect is JW. JJ was a potential #1 pick if not for his hammies. Successful college career. JW have any of that?

He needs to bring AAA.

Who said anything about Winn or Scott?

Hey dumb[ash], you referenced JW as why not to rush...I cited 2 more as why. Sorry that flew to far over your head. And JJ has a college background and would have been the #1 choice, if not for hammies. JW has no pedigree like that

I've seen your posts for years and believe me you (buzz) you're the consummate dumb[ash].

If you can't grasp the concept of not rushing this guy a few months removed from college ball coming off injury then you're even fkin stupider than I thought.

Now go FO.

[scoutyjones2]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

So what are Argo and Winn proof of? Not every prospect/suspect is JW. JJ was a potential #1 pick if not for his hammies. Successful college career. JW have any of that?

He needs to bring AAA.

Who said anything about Winn or Scott?

Hey dumb[ash], you referenced JW as why not to rush...I cited 2 more as why. Sorry that flew to far over your head. And JJ has a college background and would have been the #1 choice, if not for hammies. JW has no pedigree like that

I've seen your posts for years and believe me you (bleep) you're the consummate dumb[ash].

If you can't grasp the concept of not rushing this guy a few months removed from college ball coming off injury then you're even fkin stupider than I thought.

Now go FO.

I'm not the idiot using JW as a definitive measuring stick.

[11WSChamps]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

So what are Argo and Winn proof of? Not every prospect/suspect is JW. JJ was a potential #1 pick if not for his hammies. Successful college career. JW have any of that?

He needs to bring AAA.

Who said anything about Winn or Scott?

Hey dumb[ash], you referenced JW as why not to rush...I cited 2 more as why. Sorry that flew to far over your head. And JJ has a college background and would have been the #1 choice, if not for hammies. JW has no pedigree like that

I've seen your posts for years and believe me you (bleep) you're the consummate dumb[ash].

If you can't grasp the concept of not rushing this guy a few months removed from college ball coming off injury then you're even fkin stupider than I thought.

Now go FO.

I'm not the idiot using JW as a definitive measuring stick.

No you are just an idiot.

Too many fanboys want to send this kid to the moon after a hot streak seeing dead red fastball in springfield.

Does that simplify it for you now?

[renostl]

No rush.

Walker is proof of that.

Let him rake and gain work habits at the lower levels.

Skipping steps in his development is not needed.

Walker is not proof of that. Besides I believe Walker played a full season in AA (and did well) before getting promoted to AAA, if not it was very close to a full season. Each player is their own entity and each player should have their own development plan, if not the organization is sunk.

With that said, I have no idea what these players need or don't neither does anyone on this forum, I am hopeful they do the right thing, not the thing that I or you or anyone else wants.

Yeah I kind of think he is.

It's clear with all the back and forth with Walkers swing which is still a work in progress he wasn't ready.

It gets done with 20/20 hindsight in most cases.
Walker probably should have been further in his development.
In fairness do we know if Walker would have been receptive to adjustments
without some failures.

He doesn't go back and forth though unless he fails. It will be the same with JJ.
He will confirm one side of the discussion, and they will be able to say "see"

[Shady]

Could he hit better than Walker? Bring him up and stick him in LF

Or play him at 2B and move Donovan to LF.

Why would you bring Weterholt up instead of Saggese? Saggese had better numbers at AA and at a younger age.

Wetherholt hasn’t even played 30 games there. He’s got an immensely better profile in the batters box than does Saggese (caveat - Saggese is showing better discipline this season, clearly a focus).

Let's see if Wetherholt becomes the Texas League MVP like Saggese was at 21 years old.

[Futuregm2]

Could he hit better than Walker? Bring him up and stick him in LF

Or play him at 2B and move Donovan to LF.

Why would you bring Weterholt up instead of Saggese? Saggese had better numbers at AA and at a younger age.

Wetherholt hasn’t even played 30 games there. He’s got an immensely better profile in the batters box than does Saggese (caveat - Saggese is showing better discipline this season, clearly a focus).

Let's see if Wetherholt becomes the Texas League MVP like Saggese was at 21 years old.

The following are former Texas League MVPs

2024: Jimmy Crooks
2023: Thomas Saggese
2022: Moises Gomez
2021: MJ Melendez
2019: Dylan Carlson
2018: Joey Curletta
2017: Matt Beaty
2016: Matt Chapman
2015: Chad Pinder
2014: Alex Yarbrough
2013: George Springer
2012: Oscar Taveras
2011: Matt Adams
2010: Mike Moustakas
2009: Chris Carter
2008: Kila Ka’aihue
2007: Chase Headley
2006: Alex Gordon
2005: Andre Ethier


Bold= Made a MLB all-star team

[renostl]

Could he hit better than Walker? Bring him up and stick him in LF

Or play him at 2B and move Donovan to LF.

Why would you bring Weterholt up instead of Saggese? Saggese had better numbers at AA and at a younger age.

Wetherholt hasn’t even played 30 games there. He’s got an immensely better profile in the batters box than does Saggese (caveat - Saggese is showing better discipline this season, clearly a focus).

Let's see if Wetherholt becomes the Texas League MVP like Saggese was at 21 years old.

The following are former Texas League MVPs

2024: Jimmy Crooks
2023: Thomas Saggese
2022: Moises Gomez
2021: MJ Melendez
2019: Dylan Carlson
2018: Joey Curletta
2017: Matt Beaty
2016: Matt Chapman
2015: Chad Pinder
2014: Alex Yarbrough
2013: George Springer
2012: Oscar Taveras
2011: Matt Adams
2010: Mike Moustakas
2009: Chris Carter
2008: Kila Ka’aihue
2007: Chase Headley
2006: Alex Gordon
2005: Andre Ethier


Bold= Made a MLB all-star team

one season does not make a career

[An Old Friend]

Could he hit better than Walker? Bring him up and stick him in LF

Or play him at 2B and move Donovan to LF.

Why would you bring Weterholt up instead of Saggese? Saggese had better numbers at AA and at a younger age.

Wetherholt hasn’t even played 30 games there. He’s got an immensely better profile in the batters box than does Saggese (caveat - Saggese is showing better discipline this season, clearly a focus).

Let's see if Wetherholt becomes the Texas League MVP like Saggese was at 21 years old.

Why?

[Monsieur De Treville]

Could he hit better than Walker? Bring him up and stick him in LF

Or play him at 2B and move Donovan to LF.

Why would you bring Weterholt up instead of Saggese? Saggese had better numbers at AA and at a younger age.

Wetherholt hasn’t even played 30 games there. He’s got an immensely better profile in the batters box than does Saggese (caveat - Saggese is showing better discipline this season, clearly a focus).

Let's see if Wetherholt becomes the Texas League MVP like Saggese was at 21 years old.

No one (other than you) gives a rat's turd about TLMVP. Who cares?

It's like if I said, "Let's see if Saggese can be the 7th pick in the draft and the Cards #1 prospect". Again, who cares.

It's not about who was best in Little League or the minors. It's all about how they project as MLB players and who becomes a star in MLB.

Personally, I hope it's both of them. But...and I know this hurts you...right now JJ is the more highly regarded prospect. Doesn't mean he'll have a superior career...but right now, he's the one everyone is watching!