JJ Wetherholt's Absurd Season Keeps Getting Better for Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals rookie has looked like a superstar all season to this point.

Aug 17, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) runs off the field at the end of the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

When Spring Training rolled around ahead of the 2026 season, it was expected that JJ Wetherholt would come in and have a big role with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Wetherholt technically had to win a job on the big league roster out of camp, but again, the expectation was that Wetherholt would make the club out of camp and have a big role. He did just that.

The 23-year-old earned his spot on the Cardinals' Opening Day roster and has completely lived up to the hype. He entered the season as one of the top prospects in baseball. Now, with just about five weeks left in his rookie season, it's safe to say that Wetherholt has looked like one of the best two-way players in the game overall.

JJ Wetherholt Offensively

Aug 19, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) runs to third base on a single by first baseman Alec Burleson (not pictured) during the fifth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Tanner Pearson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Since Wetherholt was drafted, it was known that he has elite upside offensively. The 23-year-old has shown why that is the case so far this season. Wetherholt has slashed .244/.347/.377 with a .724 OPS, 17 home runs, 48 RBIs, 14 stolen bases, 14 doubles and 87 runs scored in 126 games played.

Wetherholt has a 107 OPS+ right now, meaning he has been seven percent better than the average big leaguer offensively right now.

JJ Wetherholt Defensively

Aug 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) grounds the ball hit by Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dane Myers (not pictured) in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Wetherholt's defense has been the biggest shock of the season for the rookie. Back in Spring Training, it was talked about how defense was an area that he could improve. Well, he has done just that and now he's not only a solid defender, but one of the best defensive players in baseball.

Wetherholt is in third place in baseball right now with 22 outs above average. Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals is leading the league with 24 outs above average and Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs is in second place at 23. These are the only three players in the league with 20 or more outs above average.

Luis Arráez of the Philadelphia Phillies is in second place across baseball among second basemen, but he has just 11 outs above average. Wetherholt's season has been a shocker defensively, to say the least.

JJ Wetherholt vs. Other Top Rookies

Aug 18, 2026; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) throws to first to get Cincinnati Reds outfielder Dane Myers (not pictured) out in the second inning at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

At this point, it's hard to argue against Wetherholt as the top rookie in the National League. Sal Stewart of the Cincinnati Reds is the other guy who has a shot at the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Stewart has slashed .263/.336/.472 with an .808 OPS, 27 home runs, 98 RBIs, and 24 doubles. He has put up great offensive stats, to say the least. Defensively, he has zero outs above average right now, though.

Wetherholt has been a significantly better two-way player. He is at 4.9 wins above replacement, tied for 16th in Major League Baseball. Stewart is at 1.9 wins above replacement, tied for 175th in Major League Baseball. It shouldn't even be a debate. Wetherholt is the guy.