JJ Wetherholt Stats & Scouting Report

AB	105
AVG	.295
OBP	.405
SLG	.4
HR	2

Full name Jonathan David Wetherholt
Born 09/10/2002 in Baltimore, MD
Profile Ht.: 5'10" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: L / Throws: R
School West Virginia
Drafted in the 1st round (7th overall) by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024 (signed for $6,900,000).

View Draft Report

School: West Virginia
Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
BA Grade: 55/High
Tools: Hit: 65. Power: 55. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 50.

Wetherholt made his case as one of the best pure hitters in the 2024 class as a West Virginia sophomore in 2023. That season, he led the nation in hitting and slashed .449/.517/.782 with 16 home runs and 35 stolen bases. Despite being hampered by a hamstring injury that summer, Wetherholt was viewed as the top pure hitter on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Another hamstring injury early in 2024 cost him nearly two months of the season. A 5-foot-10, 190-pound shortstop, he has a clean and fluid lefthanded swing with a slight uphill bat path and plenty of hand speed through the zone. He’s able to manipulate his barrel to consistently get on plane with all pitch types and has the strength to homer to all fields with surprising pop for his size. In addition to his plus contact skills and above-average raw power, Wetherholt has a keen eye and rarely expands the zone, making him one of the most well-rounded hitters in the class. Wetherholt has played third base, second base and shortstop in college. He has the hands and actions for all three, but his arm could be best suited to second base, where he could be an above-average defender. When healthy, Wetherholt is a plus runner who could be a consistent basestealing threat, but multiple hamstring injuries could incentivize him to be less aggressive. Wetherholt should become the highest-drafted player in WVU history, bettering Alek Manoah in 2019 and Chris Enochs in 1997, both of whom were 11th overall picks.

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

BA Grade/Risk: 60/High.

Track Record: Wetherholt was a four-year star at Mars (Pa.) Area HS under head coach Andy Bednar and played alongside future Giants first-rounder Will Bednar. Despite growing up just 20 miles from Pittsburgh, Wetherholt committed to rival West Virginia. On campus in Morgantown, Wetherholt blossomed into one of the top hitters in the country. He hit .449 in 55 games as a sophomore to lead the nation in hitting. He spent the summer of 2023 in the Cape Cod League and with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team before hitting .331/.472/.589 as a junior. He was limited to just 36 games by a hamstring injury. The Cardinals drafted Wetherholt seventh overall in 2024 and signed him for $6.8 million. He made his professional debut with Low-A Palm Beach, hitting .295/.405/.400 in 29 games. Wetherholt is likely to begin 2025 at High-A Peoria, though he’s experienced enough to skip the level entirely and begin at Double-A Springfield.

Scouting Report: Wetherholt entered pro ball as an advanced hitter with an adjustable, righthanded swing geared for stinging line drives and punishing mistakes in the zone. He is adept at attacking all pitch types, producing near-identical underlying metrics against fastballs and breaking pitches. Wetherholt rarely expands the zone and should walk at a high rate in the majors. Power is not the primary focus of Wetherholt’s approach, but he shows above-average impact and the ability to elevate the ball consistently, portending mid-20s home run power at peak. Wetherholt produced a 90th percentile exit velocity of 105.3 mph in his pro debut to go with a 54.9% hard-hit rate, showcasing above-average power. Wetherholt stole 36 bases as a sophomore at West Virginia but has run considerably less after being hampered by lower body injuries. Wetherholt produces plus run times, but he will likely settle in as an above-average runner. It’s possible basestealing could become a part of his game again down the line as he recovers from the hamstring injury that continued to plague him into his pro debut. Wetherholt has played shortstop primarily since his sophomore season in college, and many within the organization believe he can stick at the position. He has an average arm that plays above-average on his best throws, pointing to a potential future on the left side of the infield. After seeing extensive time at both second and third base in college, a position switch should be easier for Wetherholt if he moves off shortstop.

The Future: After Wetherholt fell to pick No. 7 in the 2024 draft, the Cardinals view him as the top prospect in their system and a major part of their future. If Wetherholt gets to his peak power projection and proves he can stick at shortstop, he has all-star upside. In all likelihood, he develops into a third baseman with a plus bat and some star-level peak seasons.

Scouting Grades Hit: 65 | Power: 55 | Run: 55 | Fielding: 50 | Arm: 50

Draft Prospects

School: West Virginia Commit/Drafted: Never Drafted
Age At Draft: 21.9
BA Grade: 55/High
Tools: Hit: 65. Power: 55. Run: 60. Field: 50. Arm: 50.

Wetherholt made his case as one of the best pure hitters in the 2024 class as a West Virginia sophomore in 2023. That season, he led the nation in hitting and slashed .449/.517/.782 with 16 home runs and 35 stolen bases. Despite being hampered by a hamstring injury that summer, Wetherholt was viewed as the top pure hitter on USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. Another hamstring injury early in 2024 cost him nearly two months of the season. A 5-foot-10, 190-pound shortstop, he has a clean and fluid lefthanded swing with a slight uphill bat path and plenty of hand speed through the zone. He’s able to manipulate his barrel to consistently get on plane with all pitch types and has the strength to homer to all fields with surprising pop for his size. In addition to his plus contact skills and above-average raw power, Wetherholt has a keen eye and rarely expands the zone, making him one of the most well-rounded hitters in the class. Wetherholt has played third base, second base and shortstop in college. He has the hands and actions for all three, but his arm could be best suited to second base, where he could be an above-average defender. When healthy, Wetherholt is a plus runner who could be a consistent basestealing threat, but multiple hamstring injuries could incentivize him to be less aggressive. Wetherholt should become the highest-drafted player in WVU history, bettering Alek Manoah in 2019 and Chris Enochs in 1997, both of whom were 11th overall picks.