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Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 08:37 am
by ramfandan
Mike Trout ...
In his first full MLB season (2012), Mike Trout began slowly, hitting below .200 in late April before a torrid May fueled his Rookie of the Year campaign. After being called up in late April 2012, his batting average was .220 on April 29, but by May 31, it had risen to .306. He was batting .182 on May 1
Jackson Chourio .. His rookie year , he hit .209 thru June 7th... then finished strong earning 3rd place ROY
Jackson Chourio overcame a challenging start to his 2024 rookie season with the Milwaukee Brewers, transforming from an overwhelmed 20-year-old in April/May into a superstar by June. After hitting just .209 with a .588 OPS through June 7, he adjusted to MLB pitching, finishing the season with a .275 average, 21 HRs, and 22 steals.
Remember the season is 6 months long not the first couple months. Could Wetherholt start out decent ? Sure but more likely facing the best pitchers in the sport for the first time, he will struggle early as he adjusts just like Trout , Chourio,and others have done in the past. Be patient .
Even the good ones don't look so hot in their first few months. They need to adjust to major league pitching.
PS Of course a struggling start won't stop some on this forum to roundly criticize him . Sure Trout , Chourio and others got the same treatment .. the over hype stuff, etc.
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 08:48 am
by scoutyjones2
Thanks for telling me this ..I'd have never expected a struggle...
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 08:57 am
by 45s
Not buying this...
May I refer you to Cardinals4life, who has assured me that the young man is the real deal, has all the tools, will be the club's best hitter, and a star from day one.
Is there a greater authority than that??
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
by rockondlouie
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 09:07 am
by Jatalk
ramfandan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:37 am
Mike Trout ...
In his first full MLB season (2012), Mike Trout began slowly, hitting below .200 in late April before a torrid May fueled his Rookie of the Year campaign. After being called up in late April 2012, his batting average was .220 on April 29, but by May 31, it had risen to .306. He was batting .182 on May 1
Jackson Chourio .. His rookie year , he hit .209 thru June 7th... then finished strong earning 3rd place ROY
Jackson Chourio overcame a challenging start to his 2024 rookie season with the Milwaukee Brewers, transforming from an overwhelmed 20-year-old in April/May into a superstar by June. After hitting just .209 with a .588 OPS through June 7, he adjusted to MLB pitching, finishing the season with a .275 average, 21 HRs, and 22 steals.
Remember the season is 6 months long not the first couple months. Could Wetherholt start out decent ? Sure but more likely facing the best pitchers in the sport for the first time, he will struggle early as he adjusts just like Trout , Chourio,and others have done in the past. Be patient .
Even the good ones don't look so hot in their first few months. They need to adjust to major league pitching.
PS Of course a struggling start won't stop some on this forum to roundly criticize him . Sure Trout , Chourio and others got the same treatment .. the over hype stuff, etc.
Best post of the day. Thank you. I’ve been bashed for setting lower expectations.
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 09:29 am
by bccardsfan
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Precisely. Just let the kid play. Oli tends to bench guys, even when they go 2-3 the day before. I think the word from on high will keep JJW in the lineup unless he is absolutely stinking it up, but we shall see. It JJW is struggling, then bat him in the 6 or 7 hole, but let him play.
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 10:10 am
by rockondlouie
bccardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:29 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Precisely. Just let the kid play. Oli tends to bench guys, even when they go 2-3 the day before. I think the word from on high will keep JJW in the lineup unless he is absolutely stinking it up, but we shall see. It JJW is struggling, then bat him in the 6 or 7 hole, but let him play.
Agreed bcc
I don't think C. Bloom will allow Oli to mess w/JJW (or any of the other key players on the roster or on the way up).
Guys like T. Edman, B. Donovan and now T. Saggese are the types you can make SUP's, that's their roles in MLB.
But a player w/the upside potential of JJW needs to be planted at 2nd Base and not jerked around from position to position, wondering what glove he'll need on his ride to the stadium.
I want this kid concentrating on one thing..........HITTING!
(And from the few fielding videos I've been able to see he's going to be a well above average defensive 2nd baseman too!)
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 10:14 am
by 45s
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 10:10 am
bccardsfan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:29 am
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Precisely. Just let the kid play. Oli tends to bench guys, even when they go 2-3 the day before. I think the word from on high will keep JJW in the lineup unless he is absolutely stinking it up, but we shall see. It JJW is struggling, then bat him in the 6 or 7 hole, but let him play.
Agreed bcc
I don't think C. Bloom will allow Oli to mess w/JJW (or any of the other key players on the roster or on the way up).
Guys like T. Edman, B. Donovan and now T. Saggese are the types you can make SUP's, that's their roles in MLB.
But a player w/the upside potential of JJW needs to be planted at 2nd Base and not jerked around from position to position, wondering what glove he'll need on his ride to the stadium.
I want this kid concentrating on one thing..........HITTING!
(And from the few fielding videos I've been able to see he's going to be a well above average defensive 2nd baseman too!)
Interference in the dugout from the front office?
Can the ticket office be far behind?
Meet the new boss…..same as the old boss..
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 10:19 am
by Goldfan
Curious why no one cares about these fellas in the lineup who have made a career out of struggling
Gorman
Walker
Noot
Scott
Pages
Could be in the lineup a majority of games and posters are worrying if a ROOK struggles???
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 10:34 am
by The Nard
Yes, even for Ted Williams and Willie Mays, etc.
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 10:48 am
by Ozziesfan41
ramfandan wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:37 am
Mike Trout ...
In his first full MLB season (2012), Mike Trout began slowly, hitting below .200 in late April before a torrid May fueled his Rookie of the Year campaign. After being called up in late April 2012, his batting average was .220 on April 29, but by May 31, it had risen to .306. He was batting .182 on May 1
Jackson Chourio .. His rookie year , he hit .209 thru June 7th... then finished strong earning 3rd place ROY
Jackson Chourio overcame a challenging start to his 2024 rookie season with the Milwaukee Brewers, transforming from an overwhelmed 20-year-old in April/May into a superstar by June. After hitting just .209 with a .588 OPS through June 7, he adjusted to MLB pitching, finishing the season with a .275 average, 21 HRs, and 22 steals.
Remember the season is 6 months long not the first couple months. Could Wetherholt start out decent ? Sure but more likely facing the best pitchers in the sport for the first time, he will struggle early as he adjusts just like Trout , Chourio,and others have done in the past. Be patient .
Even the good ones don't look so hot in their first few months. They need to adjust to major league pitching.
PS Of course a struggling start won't stop some on this forum to roundly criticize him . Sure Trout , Chourio and others got the same treatment .. the over hype stuff, etc.
That sucks I thought for sure he would never struggle in his career and hit .350 from beginning to end
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 12:08 pm
by Cardinals4Life
45s wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 08:57 am
Not buying this...
May I refer you to Cardinals4life, who has assured me that the young man is the real deal, has all the tools, will be the club's best hitter, and a star from day one.
Is there a greater authority than that??
You are correct in your analysis. J.J. will not disappoint. (Well, he might disappoint you since you are not a Cards fan, but he will not disappoint most.)
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 12:09 pm
by Cardinals4Life
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Correct, Rock! He will thrive there and will be our best player!
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 12:10 pm
by rockondlouie
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 12:09 pm
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Correct, Rock! He will thrive there and will be our best player!
Look at the NL C4L, he could be an all-star 2nd baseman very soon if he's the hitter we thing he'll be!
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 12:12 pm
by Cardinals4Life
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 12:10 pm
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 12:09 pm
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Correct, Rock! He will thrive there and will be our best player!
Look at the NL C4L, he could be an all-star 2nd baseman very soon if he's the hitter we thing he'll be!
That wouldn't surprise me to see him in the ASG this summer. Not in the least bit.
Re: Be ready for early struggles with JJ..it's happened to other fine players
Posted: 17 Feb 2026 12:14 pm
by rockondlouie
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 12:12 pm
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 12:10 pm
Cardinals4Life wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 12:09 pm
rockondlouie wrote: ↑17 Feb 2026 09:04 am
Plant him at 2nd base for as many games as he can play....
No jerking him around between 2nd base and 3rd base, he's NOT A SUP....
Bat him #2 or lead-off....
And just leave the kid alone!
Correct, Rock! He will thrive there and will be our best player!
Look at the NL C4L, he could be an all-star 2nd baseman very soon if he's the hitter we thing he'll be!
That wouldn't surprise me to see him in the ASG this summer. Not in the least bit.
We will need one rep at the ASG.
If it's not I. Herrera, then let's hope JJW gets off to a fast start and makes it!