Inside The Cardinals

Cardinals Star Top Prospect Could Be in St. Louis Before You Know It

The Cardinals could look to bring top prospect JJ Wetherholt to the big leagues early this year...
Zach Pressnell|
Jul 12, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; National League infielder JJ Wetherholt (26) of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases during the second inning against American League at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
Jul 12, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; National League infielder JJ Wetherholt (26) of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases during the second inning against American League at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images

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St. Louis Cardinals

The St. Louis Cardinals are in the middle of a massive rebuild right now. They've made a handful of massive moves to push the team in this direction.

Over the last eight months, the Cardinals have traded Phil Maton, Ryan Helsley, Steven Matz, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras, and Nolan Arenado to net a haul of prospects.

The next player the Cardinals could look to trade is All-Star second baseman Brendan Donovan. Donovan's contract is expiring and the Cardinals have a top prospect, JJ Wetherholt, who's seemingly ready to take over at second base.

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Just Baseball's Adam Akbani recently listed Wetherholt as one of the Cardinals prospects that could make an impact on the big-league club this season.

JJ Wetherholt looks like the next Cardinals star

St. Louis Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherhol
Mar 5, 2025; West Palm Beach, Florida, USA; St. Louis Cardinals left feilder JJ Wetherholt (87) celebrates after scoring against the Houston Astros during the second inning at CACTI Park of the Palm Beaches. Mandatory Credit: Rich Storry-Imagn Images | Rich Storry-Imagn Images

"The crown jewel of the Cardinals’ farm system and a former Dick Howser Award finalist, Wetherholt was a true 1:1 contender before the 2024 collegiate season," Akbani wrote. "A hamstring injury and a dip in production led to him falling into St. Louis’s lap at No. 7 in the 2024 draft.

"Since his professional debut, he’s done nothing but rake, posting a 140 wRC+ in the Fall after the draft and a 154 wRC+ between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. There were rumblings about him being a September callup, but given the Cardinals’ organizational strategy, their front office opted to keep him at Triple-A throughout the season."

If the Cardinals hold onto Donovan, Wetherholt might be blocked for the time being. This would likely leave him in the minor leagues until he gets hot this season.

But if Wetherholt can pick up this season where he left off last year, it won't take long until he's in the big leagues. Wetherholt could push Donovan onto the trade block if he begins the year hot. He could also push Donovan to a different position.

Either way, the young prospect is seemingly the Cardinals' second baseman of the future. It wouldn't be surprising to see him in the big leagues early on this season.

More MLB: Cardinals Predicted to Trade Brendan Donovan to NL Contender

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Zach Pressnell
ZACH PRESSNELL

Zach Pressnell has experience covering all major US sports at both the professional and collegiate levels. He’s produced content for FanSided, Blog Red Machine, The Game Haus, Bethany College Athletics and the Bethany College online newspaper, He graduated from Bethany College (WV) with a degree in Communications and Media Arts, specializing in Sports Journalism. Pressnell was also a four-year member of the baseball team where he earned himself All-PAC recognition as a pitcher (and a cool Tommy John surgery scar). Now, Pressnell specializes in NFL and MLB coverage for Sports Illustrated’s “On SI” network among others. For all business/marketing inquiries regarding "St. Louis Cardinals On SI," please reach out to Scott Neville: scott@wtfsports.org

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