JJ is tremendous, but stats show he's struggling with breaking stuff

[Strummer Jones]

Wetherholt is the last guy Im worried about.

Sure there will some trying times but his knowledge of the strike zone is perhaps his biggest asset.

Never thought much about all the hype here on him but as much as people want to talk about Walker I believe this team's offensive success to this point rides with the rookie.

And to your point, I think having a bonafide lead-off hitter for the first time in a long, long time is an underrated key to how successful this line-up has been.

I think of all the guys, I feel most confident when JJ comes up. Seems even when he makes an out, he's taking 5+ pitches to do so. If you can't get a hit, at least make the pitcher work his butt off to get you out. So I like that out of the leadoff spot. Plus the offense that he's been bringing to the table. Think about it...the leadoff hitter is a guy who knows the strike zone like he's been around the block, and knows his hot zones. You know he's got no problem spitting on a pitch that's not his. And if you move into his zone, you're looking at him getting on base...or worse.

And when he does get on base, he runs well. Not a burner, really, but a guy who knows when to stretch for another base, and when to be more conservative. He reminds me of Scott Rolen in that way. Neither were classically fast, but both punched way above their weight on the bases.

I don't think JJ will be as good as Pujols (shocker statement, I know) but he reminds me of Albert in that when he got to the majors, he looked like he belonged immediately. Already was playing like a smart vet...but had the physical talent of a guy who was still on his way to his prime.

I agree with all of that, and what has also blown me away is how good a defensive player this guy is. He and Winn up the middle..? 'nuff said. Those two look like they really enjoy playing next to each other.

They've got great defensive chemistry. I though JJ would be an alright defensive 2B. Not great, but able to make the plays he should and maybe a little bit more. I didn't expect him to be...this.

[11WSChamps]

Wetherholt is the last guy Im worried about.

Sure there will some trying times but his knowledge of the strike zone is perhaps his biggest asset.

Never thought much about all the hype here on him but as much as people want to talk about Walker I believe this team's offensive success to this point rides with the rookie.

And to your point, I think having a bonafide lead-off hitter for the first time in a long, long time is an underrated key to how successful this line-up has been.

I think of all the guys, I feel most confident when JJ comes up. Seems even when he makes an out, he's taking 5+ pitches to do so. If you can't get a hit, at least make the pitcher work his butt off to get you out. So I like that out of the leadoff spot. Plus the offense that he's been bringing to the table. Think about it...the leadoff hitter is a guy who knows the strike zone like he's been around the block, and knows his hot zones. You know he's got no problem spitting on a pitch that's not his. And if you move into his zone, you're looking at him getting on base...or worse.

And when he does get on base, he runs well. Not a burner, really, but a guy who knows when to stretch for another base, and when to be more conservative. He reminds me of Scott Rolen in that way. Neither were classically fast, but both punched way above their weight on the bases.

I don't think JJ will be as good as Pujols (shocker statement, I know) but he reminds me of Albert in that when he got to the majors, he looked like he belonged immediately. Already was playing like a smart vet...but had the physical talent of a guy who was still on his way to his prime.

Yeah while the Pujols thing is far fetched you can't help but think about the possibility even if it is a smaller scale.

I've been talking about the need for a "generational" talent to rejuvenate this "rebuild" and could he be it?

Lot to hope for but we'll see.

[imetsatchelpaige]

Not surprised. It happens with pretty much all gifted hitters. My guess is he adjusts pretty quickly. No stopping this kid.

Concur

[Ronnie Dobbs]

For sure. If he starts chasing down and away like crazy again, then all bets are off. The EV and hardhit% won't matter. But at least we now see what his true potential is.

It's also been really cool seeing the improvement in the OF too. We always knew about the cannon, but he's actually playing good D now too. Dude has all the tools.

Yep. And the way he is running the bases has been great too. He’s stealing bases. He’s constantly looking to take the extra base. Not in a reckless way. He seems confident and in control and those decisions seem to have been paying off.

[imetsatchelpaige]

Lots of pitchers have trouble throwing strikes with their breaking stuff and JJ is patient. I gotta be honest - I think STL struck gold with this kid and there won't be an adjustment problem.

Walker I'm still nervous about. 2 years of suckage and now he is Pujolsian. is it a mirage?

My thoughts exactly. I love what Walker is doing but I have been refraining myself from getting too excited.

I’m just not ready to be hurt again

I have to admit that I, too, suffer that fear.
I think I’m wrong.
But….

[hmoss859]

JJ's hitting mechanics and baseball IQ will take care of any struggles I would imagine.

Dude is legit.

[ramfandan]

Did major leaguers have more trouble with Clayton Kershaw’ curve ball or fastball.
Breaking pitch is tougher to make solid contact by far.

[10CWilliams]

Lots of pitchers have trouble throwing strikes with their breaking stuff and JJ is patient. I gotta be honest - I think STL struck gold with this kid and there won't be an adjustment problem.

Walker I'm still nervous about. 2 years of suckage and now he is Pujolsian. is it a mirage?

I haven't seen as much as I would like this year, but it seems like he is making adjustments at a much faster level. I also think that he is stealing bases to make the singles "hurt" more. Pitchers will be much less likely to live on the outside corner if he just flips it into right, steals 2nd and scores on the next single. I feel like this has been a deliberate change to his game. That's not to say he won't still slump, but I think it will be much rarer and shorter.

As far as JJ, no surprise there, it's hard to hit ML pitching. His ability to take a walk and the job that the hitters behind him have done should make the transition easier.

[rightthinker4]

Not surprised. It happens with pretty much all gifted hitters. My guess is he adjusts pretty quickly. No stopping this kid.

Once word gets around on a young hitter, they have to recognize how the opposition is pitching them and adjust. The good hitters will. JJ will adjust.

[Ozziesfan41]

Ill take having a weakness that needs adjustments on while hitting .246 .360 OBP .801 ops. He will get better at hitting those breaking pitches and laying off them and once he does he will be on another level of stardom

[ClassicO]

Ill take having a weakness that needs adjustments on while hitting .246 .360 OBP .801 ops. He will get better at hitting those breaking pitches and laying off them and once he does he will be on another level of stardom

I agree. I was only pointing out some pertinent stats. It made me want to see how he’d move forward because I’m confident he can.

[bccardsfan]

Ill take having a weakness that needs adjustments on while hitting .246 .360 OBP .801 ops. He will get better at hitting those breaking pitches and laying off them and once he does he will be on another level of stardom

I agree. I was only pointing out some pertinent stats. It made me want to see how he’d move forward because I’m confident he can.

Yes, this kid is for real. He is the least of my worries about this team!

[Strummer Jones]

Wetherholt is the last guy Im worried about.

Sure there will some trying times but his knowledge of the strike zone is perhaps his biggest asset.

Never thought much about all the hype here on him but as much as people want to talk about Walker I believe this team's offensive success to this point rides with the rookie.

And to your point, I think having a bonafide lead-off hitter for the first time in a long, long time is an underrated key to how successful this line-up has been.

I think of all the guys, I feel most confident when JJ comes up. Seems even when he makes an out, he's taking 5+ pitches to do so. If you can't get a hit, at least make the pitcher work his butt off to get you out. So I like that out of the leadoff spot. Plus the offense that he's been bringing to the table. Think about it...the leadoff hitter is a guy who knows the strike zone like he's been around the block, and knows his hot zones. You know he's got no problem spitting on a pitch that's not his. And if you move into his zone, you're looking at him getting on base...or worse.

And when he does get on base, he runs well. Not a burner, really, but a guy who knows when to stretch for another base, and when to be more conservative. He reminds me of Scott Rolen in that way. Neither were classically fast, but both punched way above their weight on the bases.

I don't think JJ will be as good as Pujols (shocker statement, I know) but he reminds me of Albert in that when he got to the majors, he looked like he belonged immediately. Already was playing like a smart vet...but had the physical talent of a guy who was still on his way to his prime.

Yeah while the Pujols thing is far fetched you can't help but think about the possibility even if it is a smaller scale.

I've been talking about the need for a "generational" talent to rejuvenate this "rebuild" and could he be it?

Lot to hope for but we'll see.

Again, talent wise, Albert was just on another level. JJ can't and won't reach those Pujolsian levels. We're talking about possibly the greatest right handed hitter to ever play.

With JJ, it's all about how he's come up and how the game hasn't been too fast for him. He doesn't seemed overwhelmed or in awe of the opportunity. It's how he carries himself on the field. He's a rookie...but he isn't playing like a rookie. I'm not talking about back of the baseball card stats. I mean in how he approaches every game, every chance in the field, every at-bat.

Oh, and while he's not Pujols talented...he's still pretty frikken talented.