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The myth was that some were saying that a good batting JJ's average was necessary for him to make the team.imyourhuckleberry wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 19:27 pm What myth?
He made the team the moment the Donovan trade was finalized. The balls will find holes eventually or he'll just start hitting them out. I have zero doubts JJW will hit.
Sorry, I misunderstood.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 19:33 pmThe myth was that some were saying that a good batting JJ's average was necessary for him to make the team.imyourhuckleberry wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 19:27 pm What myth?
He made the team the moment the Donovan trade was finalized. The balls will find holes eventually or he'll just start hitting them out. I have zero doubts JJW will hit.
Most posters knew that was not true . Everything you stated is true yet a few on CT were saying otherwise .
ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pmImprove ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:36 pmHe will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?
I think 600 at bats last season are more telling than 25 this springJatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:36 pmHe will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
He’s making the team no matter what.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
So your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 18:01 pmHitsramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pmImprove ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:36 pmHe will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?
At this early date I’m not concerned but let’s assume much of his spring has similar results. Let’s assume for the first 30 days of the regular season he makes contact but has few hits. Will that win us games? Can we judge whole roster that way based on contact alone?ramfandan wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 07:07 amSo your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 18:01 pmHitsramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pmImprove ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:36 pmHe will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?
Except for the 3 walks.
I'm inclined to agree with you, on the other hand, Cardinals4life has assured me on multiple occasions that the player is a star from day one.Jatalk wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 07:40 amAt this early date I’m not concerned but let’s assume much of his spring has similar results. Let’s assume for the first 30 days of the regular season he makes contact but has few hits. Will that win us games? Can we judge whole roster that way based on contact alone?ramfandan wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 07:07 amSo your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 18:01 pmHitsramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pmImprove ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:36 pmHe will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?
Except for the 3 walks.
It’s time to stop justifying JJ based on last year and his college career. He needs to demonstrate he can get hits and drive the ball for hits.
Others have said the same and they may be right. He certainly has the pedigree. I’m just tired of people over justifying his performance to date and making him a star because of a coupe of walks and the fact he has made contact.45s wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 08:39 amI'm inclined to agree with you, on the other hand, Cardinals4life has assured me on multiple occasions that the player is a star from day one.Jatalk wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 07:40 amAt this early date I’m not concerned but let’s assume much of his spring has similar results. Let’s assume for the first 30 days of the regular season he makes contact but has few hits. Will that win us games? Can we judge whole roster that way based on contact alone?ramfandan wrote: ↑26 Feb 2026 07:07 amSo your concern is that none of his batted balls have landed for hits Despite every at bat resulting in JJ ‘hitting’ the ball in play.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 18:01 pmHitsramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:44 pmImprove ? Meaning what ..He has either walked or put every ball in play . How does one change where the ball goes in the field of play to get a hit.S For example, one can hit 4 hard hit grounders but right at the fielders ..all outs ..other times the grounders go between the fielder. A batter can hit 5 line drives to the outfield either right at the OF or a running catch .. other times the balls go down the line or safely go in the gaps.Jatalk wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:36 pmHe will make it by default but if he does not improve you can’t really say he earned it.ramfandan wrote: ↑25 Feb 2026 15:33 pm More than one poster stated on CT that if JJW has a poor batting average in ST , he won't (or should not ) make the final roster and be sent back to Memphis. Bloom , on the other hand, stated long before camp that "JJ's batting average in ST will not be a determing factor.'
Well, thus far Bloom is spot on and a few posters way off target .
Offensively , JJ has a batting average of .000 . He is yet to get a hit but look how productive he has been despite that fact.
In 3 games he has drawn a walk in every game. He has scored a run for his team in each of those 'walks' . Twice from 3rd base and today part of Gorman's 3 run homer.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I don't believe JJ has struck out yet this spring. On each of his outs, he has put the ball in the field of play .
His bat to ball skills are playing as advertised. In 2025, JJ had a low 14.7% strike out rate with Double A and Triple A combined.
So don't get too hung up on batting average in ST. JJ has been productive in his starts this year .
With drawing three walks and scoring all 3 times, one can see why many want him to continue as a leadoff hitter for the 2026 squad as he mostly did in 2025 in the minors. Low strikeout rate, putting batted balls in play , and drawing numerous walks are ideal characteristics for leadoff spot not to mention speed to steal 2nd base.
Finally ,someone said if JJ only bats .100 in ST no way he makes the team . Think again !
This has been a very small sample size . In what way does JJ need to improve his batted balls that have been all outs ?
Except for the 3 walks.
It’s time to stop justifying JJ based on last year and his college career. He needs to demonstrate he can get hits and drive the ball for hits.