Wetherholt in yesterday's game

[rockondlouie]

From the video I've seen and personal experience he's going to be an above average defensive 2nd baseman.

Those infields in Florida can be tricky and let's not get too overly excited if he boots a ball or rushes a throw.

He's human and nerves for a kid about to make his major league debut in a few weeks is understandable.

He's going to be inked in at 2nd base, IMO he's be just fine.

Good to hear. I didn’t make too much over the misplay because I haven’t seen him much.

I am intrigued by his ability to play 3B because it seems there is more depth at 2B. Cardinals said Sagesse is going to get a real shot this year, and I think Fermin has earned a shot. I’d rather see them at 2B and JJW at 3rd than the retread vet they brought in to play 3rd (forgot his name) if Gorman fails again because it does nothing for the future.

I don't think we see him at 3rd base CW, especially since Oli/Bloom have already stated N. Gorman is going to be given every opportunity to win the 3rd base job and then you toss in the signing of R. Urias too boot.

Looks like both Fermin/Saggese are going to be given OF'ers glove and see some reps out there this spring.

Honestly Rock, I don't care where JJW plays. He looks confident at the plate and spits on pitches outside the zone. That will serve him well. Contrast to Gorman who flails, and now and then walks into one, but he is the uniKKKorn. The other really impressive couple of ABs was Rodriguez. He took, what, 2 pitches, and the crushed the third at 106 off the bat for a double. Then I believe he took a walk in AB #2. Plate discipline. That is what separates really good hitters to me. Of course RR has to go conquer AA this year and no one is saying you will see him in STL anytime soon, but you can see the potential already. Let's hope he stays healthy and continues to develop.

JJW's got a great batting eye, why once he gets acclimated to MLB he could win a batting title and push a .400 OB% one day!

R.R., I'm having to tamp down my excitement for this kid but geeeez it seems like he may be on a path to becoming an all-star............okay I'll stop.

Yes, JJW will be fine. RR has a long way to go yet. Chill:) But he has that look about him at the plate..... not lost like Gorman or Walker. Probably 2027 at the earliest though.... I stand by my comments above. The team this year needs to adopt a much better hitting approach, avoid Ks, move runners, hit sac flies, go oppo, etc.... That culture needs to be instilled throughout the lineup. Chasing dingers will not be a good approach with this lineup. But I am not the manager......

I. Herrera
JJW
R.R.

These three just have the look of being "hitters".

No on else on the current roster, sans perhaps Noot, has the "look".

[Alex Reyes Cy Young]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

From a box score perspective not looking like a world class defender. Hopefully the bat is elite along with his PAs.

Obviously SSS at this point. If he gets a few more errors I’ll get concerned.

[rockondlouie]

I asked A.I., here's what scouts say about JJW's defense at 2nd base:

Second Base:
Viewed as his most natural fit, where he could become an above-average to plus defender.

-Elite Hands and Actions:
Wetherholt is praised for having the "hands and actions" (I can tell you from experience this is key at 2nd base)

His transfer and internal clock are well-suited for the quick pivots required at second base.

-Range and Athleticism:
Despite past hamstring issues, Wetherholt demonstrated "good range" and high baseball IQ during the 2025 season.

His agility and footwork allow him to cover significant ground, and he is noted for setting himself up well to make accurate throws.

[ScotchMIrish]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

Throwing or fielding? Also to get an error, especially ST must have been a badly played ball. Twice.

Saturday he had 1 plate appearance and 1 error - fielding. Most recent error was throwing.

[ScotchMIrish]

I asked A.I., here's what scouts say about JJW's defense at 2nd base:

Second Base:
Viewed as his most natural fit, where he could become an above-average to plus defender.

-Elite Hands and Actions:
Wetherholt is praised for having the "hands and actions" (I can tell you from experience this is key at 2nd base)

His transfer and internal clock are well-suited for the quick pivots required at second base.

-Range and Athleticism:
Despite past hamstring issues, Wetherholt demonstrated "good range" and high baseball IQ during the 2025 season.

His agility and footwork allow him to cover significant ground, and he is noted for setting himself up well to make accurate throws.

No offense but this isn't the hype me state. It's the show me state.

They should have had him at 2B last season.

[ScotchMIrish]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

He did play 2nd and 3rd (as well as SS) last year in the minors.

The error yesterday was on a backhand play that he knocked down then rushed the throw to try and get thr runner. Burleson also did a poor job of keeping it in front of him. Not a big deal at all.

JJ will be just fine at 2nd. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see him win a GG there. Relax, guy.

Also, it is 2 errors in 2 games that he has played in, not 3 games, lol. Still, he is fine!

60 games at SS. 20 at 2B. Why would they do that when he had zero chance of playing SS in St Louis?

[rockondlouie]

I asked A.I., here's what scouts say about JJW's defense at 2nd base:

Second Base:
Viewed as his most natural fit, where he could become an above-average to plus defender.

-Elite Hands and Actions:
Wetherholt is praised for having the "hands and actions" (I can tell you from experience this is key at 2nd base)

His transfer and internal clock are well-suited for the quick pivots required at second base.

-Range and Athleticism:
Despite past hamstring issues, Wetherholt demonstrated "good range" and high baseball IQ during the 2025 season.

His agility and footwork allow him to cover significant ground, and he is noted for setting himself up well to make accurate throws.

No offense but this isn't the hype me state. It's the show me state.

They should have had him at 2B last season.

That's not "hype", it's from major league scouts who watched him compete at the highest level in college and at AA/AAA.

[ScotchMIrish]

Another comment replying to thread title … Wetherholt in yesterday’s game.

His 5 pitch walk. Took 3 straight pitches for ‘balls’ .. then on 3-0
Took next pitch as he should do on that count. It was called strike.
Then on 3-1 a hitter’s count took a high pitch for ball 4 ..a walk
Walk = single … he stole 2nd .. later scored ftom 3rd

In both games he played, he had drawn a walk and scored both times.
His pich recognition is on display as advertised.
Watching his patience at the plate reminds me of a Juan Soto
Who also rarely chases and draws up teen walks.
For a rookie that is quite impressive

He's a good prospect. He should have been playing 2B in the minors. Winn has the SS position for several years to come.

[hugeCardfan]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

He did play 2nd and 3rd (as well as SS) last year in the minors.

The error yesterday was on a backhand play that he knocked down then rushed the throw to try and get thr runner. Burleson also did a poor job of keeping it in front of him. Not a big deal at all.

JJ will be just fine at 2nd. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see him win a GG there. Relax, guy.

Also, it is 2 errors in 2 games that he has played in, not 3 games, lol. Still, he is fine!

60 games at SS. 20 at 2B. Why would they do that when he had zero chance of playing SS in St Louis?

Is this a prediction that Winn will play 162 games a year ad infinitum?

[ScotchMIrish]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

It has to be infuriating that the brain trust of the organization just ignored the hell out of you on that call. I have the feeling that JJ will, in fact, play shortstop when Winn is rested or injured. I saw the play and am much less concerned than you about the error. He kept a ground smash from getting thru behind second base and then made a rookie error when he should have put the ball into his pocket. Where he played in the minors last year isn't relevant to this particular play. ST will afford him the opportunity to make general corrections to his exuberance and he'll be just fine.

Brain trust?

[bfib]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

2 errors in ST???!!

Release him immediately!!!

[hugeCardfan]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

It has to be infuriating that the brain trust of the organization just ignored the hell out of you on that call. I have the feeling that JJ will, in fact, play shortstop when Winn is rested or injured. I saw the play and am much less concerned than you about the error. He kept a ground smash from getting thru behind second base and then made a rookie error when he should have put the ball into his pocket. Where he played in the minors last year isn't relevant to this particular play. ST will afford him the opportunity to make general corrections to his exuberance and he'll be just fine.

Brain trust?

Zero chance of playing SS in St Louis?

[Cardinals4Life]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

He did play 2nd and 3rd (as well as SS) last year in the minors.

The error yesterday was on a backhand play that he knocked down then rushed the throw to try and get thr runner. Burleson also did a poor job of keeping it in front of him. Not a big deal at all.

JJ will be just fine at 2nd. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised to see him win a GG there. Relax, guy.

Also, it is 2 errors in 2 games that he has played in, not 3 games, lol. Still, he is fine!

60 games at SS. 20 at 2B. Why would they do that when he had zero chance of playing SS in St Louis?

A few reasons:

1.) SS is the toughest position to play. If a player can handle that, they can handle pretty much any of the others.

2.) JJ has played 2B previously in college, so the position isn't/wasn't foreign to him.

3.) If Winn has a day off, JJ likely slides over. Ot heaven forbid, Winn goes down with an injury, JJ is still sharp there.

JJ will be great at 2B. Nothing to worry about Scott!!

[renostl]

I saw both games. Error in first game was on a relatively easy chance slightly to his right which he booted. In yesterday’s game he dived to his right,got a glove on the ball which rolled a bit away. No error yet until he threw it away with no chance to get the runner His baserunning error was a poor choice. He was on first with a runner on second and a single to left came next. The runner on second was going to score easily and I guess he tried to draw the throw which was not necessary. His plate discipline has been very good. He seldom swings at bad pitches.

The error in the base running was his since the play was in front of him.

Additional factors were Burleson was on ahead of him and he partially caught up
to him. Warner was still fully waving the runners on while Burleson had passed 3B.
Fermin hit that ball hard, 111 mph, in season the throw goes home and it's close
on whether Burleson scores.

He also scored a run in the bottom of 4th due to a BB, a SB which at the very least prevented
a force at 2B and maybe a DP, went to 3B on the mishandled throw and came home on
the catchers rainbow throw to 2B on the SB by Fermin. 1R, no hits.

[ramfandan]

Apparently played half the game getting 2 plate appearances before being replaced by Weingartner. Stole a base. Made 1 error - his second error in three spring training games.

https://www.mlb.com/gameday/marlins-vs- ... /final/box

The question then becomes - something I raised before - why did we have him at shortstop all last season when the only position on the infield where he was guaranteed not to play was shortstop? 2 errors in 3 games at 2B would indicate he should have been at 2B or 3B - anywhere but SS.

2 errors in ST???!!

Release him immediately!!!

That's pretty drastic ... Thought some would say Don't send him back to Memphis but down to Peoria High A

[Clubmaker2]

JJ seemed comfortable at the plate with good pitch or strike zone recognition, didnt seemed over matched at all at the plate. Thats probably one of the nice takes from the game.