Wetherholt Highlights from 2025

[ggnoobs]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a156ok-_C8U

My apologies if you have already seen this, but I hadn't actually seen a lot of video of JJ, just more read about his skills and upside.

3 things stand out to me about the highlight video:

1. He is elite at going to the opposite field, and even with power
2. He is faster than I thought
3. He has more pop than I thought

Seriously would not be surprised to see JJ win a batting title at some point in his career with his ability to go the other way so easily. Really looking forward to seeing him this year in St. Louis.

[CCard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a156ok-_C8U

My apologies if you have already seen this, but I hadn't actually seen a lot of video of JJ, just more read about his skills and upside.

3 things stand out to me about the highlight video:

1. He is elite at going to the opposite field, and even with power
2. He is faster than I thought
3. He has more pop than I thought

Seriously would not be surprised to see JJ win a batting title at some point in his career with his ability to go the other way so easily. Really looking forward to seeing him this year in St. Louis.

He appears to have that nice stroke to left center and left. Not just a pull hitter. If he hits anywhere like that facing major league pitching then he's your 3rd place hitter. There's a lot of difference between AAA and the big leagues though. I hope he's the next Will Clark.

[OldRed]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a156ok-_C8U

My apologies if you have already seen this, but I hadn't actually seen a lot of video of JJ, just more read about his skills and upside.

3 things stand out to me about the highlight video:

1. He is elite at going to the opposite field, and even with power
2. He is faster than I thought
3. He has more pop than I thought

Seriously would not be surprised to see JJ win a batting title at some point in his career with his ability to go the other way so easily. Really looking forward to seeing him this year in St. Louis.

He appears to have that nice stroke to left center and left. Not just a pull hitter. If he hits anywhere like that facing major league pitching then he's your 3rd place hitter. There's a lot of difference between AAA and the big leagues though. I hope he's the next Will Clark.

You just said the exact same thing I was about to post. He reminds me more of Keith Hernandez than Will Clark. Hopefully in a season or two he is a real star.

[ramfandan]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a156ok-_C8U

My apologies if you have already seen this, but I hadn't actually seen a lot of video of JJ, just more read about his skills and upside.

3 things stand out to me about the highlight video:

1. He is elite at going to the opposite field, and even with power
2. He is faster than I thought
3. He has more pop than I thought

Seriously would not be surprised to see JJ win a batting title at some point in his career with his ability to go the other way so easily. Really looking forward to seeing him this year in St. Louis.

He appears to have that nice stroke to left center and left. Not just a pull hitter. If he hits anywhere like that facing major league pitching then he's your 3rd place hitter. There's a lot of difference between AAA and the big leagues though. I hope he's the next Will Clark.

Many lefty hitters are heavy pull-side hitters and occasionally slap a ball to left field. That is not Wetherholt. He hits the ball hard to all fields.
In fact, he says when he gets a fastball on outside corner his mindset it to drive the ball hard to left center gap NOT to try to pull that pitch.
That's why since his college days and first two years in minors he has hit for higher averages. He does have good power going oppo field.
One advantage is that outfielders cannot 'cheat' in their positioning on him . Need to play him pretty much straight up which gives him more space to drive balls to both gaps .

[BleedingBleu]

It’s not quite the same flair, and probably not the same pop, but I couldn’t help but see some of Tavares’ swing in those highlights.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

[OldRed]

It’s not quite the same flair, and probably not the same pop, but I couldn’t help but see some of Tavares’ swing in those highlights.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

I don't see it. Travares had a huge sweeping swing.

[earp]

it's going to be practically impossible for the Cardinals to deny Wetherholt a starting job this year!

What about the Mozeliak Rule?

“Mozeliak Rule”- keeping top prospects in the minors long enough to gain an extra year of team control.
Fans use the phrase to describe when the Cardinals delay promoting a prospect until:

After roughly 1/2 of the MLB season,

So the player does not earn a full year of MLB service time,

Which gives the team an extra year before the player becomes a free agent.

This is a real strategy used by St. Louis — the nickname stuck because the Cardinals have been especially conservative with promotions.

[45s]

Given the overall state of the club, there seems to be little reason to rush him.

[BleedingBleu]

It’s not quite the same flair, and probably not the same pop, but I couldn’t help but see some of Tavares’ swing in those highlights.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

Disclaimer: The video above is hosted on Youtube, and has not be reviewed by the staff of the Post-Dispatch.

I don't see it. Travares had a huge sweeping swing.

Yes, you should see a longer swing from a guy who is 6’-2” vs 5’-10” but I’m looking more at the mechanics producing contact. Look at the footwork, a modest leg kick. Look at the contact on a pitch on the outside part of the plate.




Wetherholts’ swing appears more compact, but both open up after contact with a strong release of energy.

[CCard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a156ok-_C8U

My apologies if you have already seen this, but I hadn't actually seen a lot of video of JJ, just more read about his skills and upside.

3 things stand out to me about the highlight video:

1. He is elite at going to the opposite field, and even with power
2. He is faster than I thought
3. He has more pop than I thought

Seriously would not be surprised to see JJ win a batting title at some point in his career with his ability to go the other way so easily. Really looking forward to seeing him this year in St. Louis.

He appears to have that nice stroke to left center and left. Not just a pull hitter. If he hits anywhere like that facing major league pitching then he's your 3rd place hitter. There's a lot of difference between AAA and the big leagues though. I hope he's the next Will Clark.

Many lefty hitters are heavy pull-side hitters and occasionally slap a ball to left field. That is not Wetherholt. He hits the ball hard to all fields.
In fact, he says when he gets a fastball on outside corner his mindset it to drive the ball hard to left center gap NOT to try to pull that pitch.
That's why since his college days and first two years in minors he has hit for higher averages. He does have good power going oppo field.
One advantage is that outfielders cannot 'cheat' in their positioning on him . Need to play him pretty much straight up which gives him more space to drive balls to both gaps .

All true. Now we need to see if he can hit major league pitching. It's a different animal. He certainly seems to have the tools to do it.

[blackinkbiz]

Can't really gauge weaknesses from a highlights video so, as others said, swing looks compact and easy. Lot easier to have that when you're only 5'10".

And barring a horrendous ST, I'd be surprised if he doesn't start the season in STL. This year may be a rebuild but they still want to sell as many tickets as possible. JJ's the prize fight in this organization, at least at the moment.

[CCard]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a156ok-_C8U

My apologies if you have already seen this, but I hadn't actually seen a lot of video of JJ, just more read about his skills and upside.

3 things stand out to me about the highlight video:

1. He is elite at going to the opposite field, and even with power
2. He is faster than I thought
3. He has more pop than I thought

Seriously would not be surprised to see JJ win a batting title at some point in his career with his ability to go the other way so easily. Really looking forward to seeing him this year in St. Louis.

He appears to have that nice stroke to left center and left. Not just a pull hitter. If he hits anywhere like that facing major league pitching then he's your 3rd place hitter. There's a lot of difference between AAA and the big leagues though. I hope he's the next Will Clark.

You just said the exact same thing I was about to post. He reminds me more of Keith Hernandez than Will Clark. Hopefully in a season or two he is a real star.

We could certainly use a few stars right now.

[ramfandan]

it's going to be practically impossible for the Cardinals to deny Wetherholt a starting job this year!

What about the Mozeliak Rule?

“Mozeliak Rule”- keeping top prospects in the minors long enough to gain an extra year of team control.
Fans use the phrase to describe when the Cardinals delay promoting a prospect until:

After roughly 1/2 of the MLB season,

So the player does not earn a full year of MLB service time,

Which gives the team an extra year before the player becomes a free agent.

This is a real strategy used by St. Louis — the nickname stuck because the Cardinals have been especially conservative with promotions.

That strategy has changed now since the 2022 CBA agreement. A new provision to encourage teams to play their top rookies was initiated .
It's the Prospect Promotion Incentive ( PPI) rule ) ...

The Prospect Promotion Incentive (PPI) is an MLB rule established in 2022 that rewards teams with an extra draft pick if they promote a top prospect for Opening Day and that player subsequently wins Rookie of the Year or finishes top-three in MVP/Cy Young voting within their first three years, preventing service time manipulation.

So if JJ is on the Opening Day roster this year and as stated above wins ROY award OR finishes in top 3 of MVP anytime within hius first 3 seasons, the Cardinals get a bonus pick at the end of Round 1 in the draft.
BTW A player must be rate in the Top 100 entering his rookie year ( JJ obviously is ). So that's why Bloom would play Wetherholt this year.
IBloom would love to have an extra high draft pick in his rebuild plans .