Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals No. 1 Prospect Spoils Devin Williams' Mets Debut in Just One Pitch

As if we needed more proof that the kid is special...
Jackson Roberts|
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Feb 17, 2026; Port St. Lucie, FL, USA; New York Mets pitcher Devin Williams (38) works in the bullpen during spring training at Clover Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images | Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

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St. Louis CardinalsNew York Mets

It would be hard to get St. Louis Cardinals fans much more excited about No. 1 prospect JJ Wetherholt.

Widely expected to make his major league debut on opening day as the Cardinals' everyday second baseman, Wetherholt has been one of the stories of spring training for St. Louis thus far. On Friday, he had a rude greeting for a National League rival's star closer.

That closer was New York Mets newcomer Devin Williams, who signed a three-year, $51 million contract to join the Mets in December. Whenever he sees Wetherholt in a save opportunity during those three years, he'll remember this moment.

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Wetherholt takes Williams very deep

JJ Wetherholt
Feb 16, 2026; Jupiter, FL, USA; St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt (77) during spring training workouts at Roger Dean Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images | Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

On Williams' very first pitch in a Mets uniform, Wetherholt turned on a 92.3 mph fastball and rocketed it 422 feet to dead center field. It was the first homer of the spring for the 23-year-old, and it was a statement by February competition standards.

Of course, the Cardinals' game against the Mets wasn't televised, for reasons that would be a lot more acceptable if we were still living in the 20th century. But there were still a few cameras rolling, so we have evidence that the dinger actually happened.

Williams was coming off a rough season with the New York Yankees, having drawn the ire of the fan base for his many blown saves. But the two-time National League Reliever of the Year was dominant back in his days with the Cardinals' Central division rivals, the Milwaukee Brewers.

In the grand scheme of things, Mets fans probably don't have to panic about Williams at this early juncture. But their favorite team was still put on notice about Wetherholt, who will face them six times a year, every year, until further notice.

If the Cardinals are battling for an unlikely playoff spot this season, maybe Wetherholt will come up in another big spot against Williams. But even if the team finishes with a losing record, as many expect, it will be entertaining to see the rookie take his hacks against all the other firemen across the league.

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Jackson Roberts
JACKSON ROBERTS

Jackson Roberts is a former Division III All-Region DH who now writes and talks about sports for a living. A Bay Area native and a graduate of Swarthmore College and the Newhouse School at Syracuse University, Jackson makes his home in North Jersey. He grew up rooting for the Red Sox, Patriots, and Warriors, and he recently added the Devils to his sports fandom mosaic. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding St. Louis Cardinals On SI, please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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