As Spring Training gets underway for the St. Louis Cardinals, much of the early attention surrounding the club centers on one name in particular. While veterans are working to get their timing back and pitchers are building up innings in preparation for the long season ahead, the spotlight has quickly shifted toward the organization’s most exciting young talent. It hasn’t taken long for it to become obvious that the player drawing the most curiosity and anticipation in camp is top prospect JJ Wetherholt.
Ranked as the Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect, Wetherholt has arrived in big league camp with a legitimate opportunity in front of him. He isn’t just there to gain experience or soak in the atmosphere; he has a realistic path to making the Opening Day roster when the 2026 season begins. For a player coming off his first full professional campaign, that’s a remarkable position to be in. Yet based on what he showed throughout 2025, it’s not hard to understand why the organization and its fan base are so eager to see what he can do next.
During his first full year in pro ball, Wetherholt looked every bit like a future cornerstone. Across 109 games, he posted an impressive .306 batting average to go along with a .421 on-base percentage and a .510 slugging percentage.
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Those numbers underscore not only his ability to make consistent contact, but also his advanced approach at the plate and his emerging power. He launched 17 home runs, drove in 59 runs, and swiped 23 bases, showcasing a well-rounded offensive profile that blends patience, pop, and speed.
What made his season even more encouraging was the steady progression he displayed as he climbed the minor league ladder. Wetherholt ultimately advanced to Triple-A, placing himself just one step away from the majors.
Reaching that level in his first full professional season speaks volumes about both his talent and the confidence the Cardinals have in his development. He didn’t merely survive the challenge of upper-level pitching; he continued to perform at a high level, reinforcing the belief that he may not need much more seasoning before he’s ready for the big stage.
Now, with Spring Training in full swing, the next few weeks could prove pivotal. If Wetherholt continues to demonstrate maturity at the plate, solid defense, and the ability to handle the speed of the game against major league competition, the conversation about his debut will only grow louder.
A strong showing in camp could force the organization’s hand and make it difficult to leave him off the roster. In that scenario, his major league arrival wouldn’t be a matter of “if,” but “when.”
Of course, talent alone doesn’t determine a player’s role. The question looming over Wetherholt’s potential promotion is where he would fit defensively. One of his biggest assets is his versatility. He has experience at second base, shortstop, and third base, giving the Cardinals flexibility in how they might deploy him. That adaptability could work in his favor as he competes for a spot, particularly if the club values lineup flexibility and depth across the infield.
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Shortstop, however, appears to be spoken for. Masyn Winn has already established himself as the primary option at that position. With Winn entrenched there, it’s unlikely Wetherholt would break into the lineup as the everyday shortstop—at least not without an injury or a dramatic shift in the team’s plans. That effectively narrows the discussion to second base and third base.
Those two positions present intriguing possibilities, but they also come with competition. The Cardinals have several internal options they can consider. Nolan Gorman remains in the mix as a power-hitting infielder who has shown flashes of impact at the major league level.
Meanwhile, Thomas Saggese is another young player pushing for opportunities and looking to carve out a role. With Wetherholt added to that equation, the Cardinals suddenly have multiple capable players vying for two primary spots.
That competition could create difficult decisions for the coaching staff and front office. On one hand, Wetherholt’s upside may be too enticing to ignore. His ability to get on base at a high clip, drive the ball with authority, and contribute on the basepaths gives him a dynamic profile that could lengthen the lineup. On the other hand, development timelines and roster management considerations always factor into decisions about young prospects. The Cardinals must weigh immediate impact against long-term growth.
Still, it’s clear that Wetherholt has put himself firmly in the conversation. His performance in 2025 erased much of the uncertainty that sometimes surrounds highly touted prospects. Rather than struggling through adjustments, he thrived, proving capable of handling increasingly difficult competition. That success has carried momentum into Spring Training, where every at-bat and defensive rep will be scrutinized.
For fans, the excitement is palpable. The organization has been searching for its next homegrown star, and Wetherholt appears to fit the bill. If he continues on his current trajectory, he could soon become a central figure in the Cardinals’ lineup for years to come. Whether he breaks camp with the team or begins the year in Triple-A, his debut feels closer than ever.
Ultimately, Spring Training will help clarify the path forward. Wetherholt’s versatility gives the Cardinals options, and his bat gives them reason to believe he could contribute sooner rather than later. With second and third base both in play, and competition heating up, the coming weeks may determine not only where he fits—but how quickly he arrives.
The Cardinals phenom is someone to watch
On Sunday, Jeff Jones of the Belleville News-Democrat shared an intriguing observation from early spring workouts. During structured infield drills, JJ Wetherholt was taking repetitions at second base, while Nolan Gorman was positioned across the diamond at third.
“As Cardinals infielders take their first structured ground ball rotation of spring, Nolan Gorman is stationed at third base and JJ Wetherholt is at second,” Jones noted. He added that Gorman was grouped with Ramos and Torres at third, while Wetherholt worked alongside Fermín, Saggese, and Prieto on the right side of the infield.
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While it’s still the earliest phase of Spring Training and nothing is close to finalized, these initial alignments offer insight into how the organization may currently be evaluating its infield mix. There are still roughly six weeks of camp remaining, and plenty can change before Opening Day.
Performance, health, roster decisions, and even external acquisitions could all shift the depth chart. Even so, the way players are deployed in the first organized defensive rotations can hint at the team’s early preferences and developmental plans.
Both Wetherholt and Gorman possess defensive versatility. Each has experience at second base and third base, giving the coaching staff flexibility as they experiment with different combinations. However, assigning Wetherholt — widely regarded as the club’s top prospect — to second base while placing Gorman at third may represent the most straightforward configuration for the current roster construction.
Gorman already has familiarity with third base at the major league level. When Nolan Arenado was sidelined last season, Gorman stepped in and handled duties at the hot corner. That prior experience likely gives the coaching staff confidence that he can capably manage the position if needed. Leaving him at third would minimize defensive disruption and allow him to settle into a consistent role rather than bouncing between spots.
Meanwhile, Wetherholt’s athletic profile and adaptability allow him to move around the infield. Still, second base may present his clearest and most immediate opportunity to carve out a path to the majors. If Gorman were locked in at third, the route for Wetherholt to break into the everyday lineup becomes more defined on the right side of the diamond. From a development standpoint, giving him steady reps there early in camp could be a strategic move aimed at accelerating that transition.
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Of course, early-spring positioning doesn’t guarantee regular-season roles. Spring Training is designed for experimentation. Coaches evaluate footwork, arm strength, reaction time, and comfort levels at various spots. Players often rotate through multiple positions before decisions are finalized. The organization may simply be testing different alignments to gather data before committing to anything concrete.
Still, the optics matter. When a club’s No. 1 prospect begins camp working primarily at a specific position, it can signal where the team envisions his future contributions. Placing Wetherholt at second base suggests the organization sees a viable long-term fit there. It also helps clarify how the pieces might coexist without unnecessary overlap.
From a roster-building perspective, this alignment arguably simplifies matters. Gorman’s power bat profiles well at third, and maintaining him there avoids a potential logjam at second. At the same time, Wetherholt’s defensive skill set and offensive upside could translate smoothly to second base, where range and agility are paramount. The pairing could provide balance across the infield, blending experience with emerging talent.
Another factor is continuity. Gorman already has major league exposure and has proven he can handle defensive responsibilities at third when called upon. Keeping him there would reduce adjustment time and allow him to focus on refining his offensive production. For Wetherholt, dedicating himself to second base reps early could speed up his defensive comfort and increase his readiness should the team need him sooner rather than later.
It’s important to emphasize how fluid things remain. Injuries, performance trends, and roster cuts over the next several weeks will inevitably influence the final configuration. Veterans could shift roles. Prospects could force the issue with strong showings. Coaches will continue mixing and matching throughout Grapefruit League play to determine the most effective combination.
Nevertheless, these first structured drills provide a snapshot of the team’s thinking. Positioning Wetherholt at second and Gorman at third appears to offer the cleanest, least complicated path forward for both players. It aligns with prior experience, maximizes defensive comfort, and opens a clearer developmental runway for the organization’s prized prospect.
As Spring Training unfolds, the infield picture will gradually sharpen. For now, though, the early arrangement hints at a potential blueprint: Gorman anchoring third base with familiarity and power, and Wetherholt carving out his opportunity at second. If that alignment holds, it could represent the most natural and efficient way to integrate both talents into the club’s long-term plans.
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