Cardinals Must Call Up Top Prospect JJ Wetherholt
St. Louis Cardinals’ top prospect JJ Wetherholt has nothing left to prove in the minors. With the deadline to preserve rookie eligibility already passed and the team’s roster in desperate need of infield help, there’s no valid reason to keep him in Triple-A any longer.
The 22-year-old shortstop began 2025 in Double-A Springfield, posting a solid .891 OPS with seven home runs in 62 games. But his performance has skyrocketed since moving to Triple-A, where he’s slashed .328/.413/.648 with 10 doubles and nine home runs in just 31 games. MLB currently ranks him as the No. 6 overall prospect.
Meanwhile, the Cardinals are fading fast. Entering play on August 25, they sit 5.5 games out of the National League’s third Wild Card spot with just 31 games left, losing seven of their last ten. Injuries have also gutted their infield — Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan are on the injured list, while Masyn Winn is playing through nagging issues. Offensively, the team’s .702 OPS ranks 23rd in baseball.
Wetherholt could provide immediate help at the plate and in the field, having logged starts at shortstop, second base, and third this year. His call-up could also signal a new direction for the franchise. With John Mozeliak stepping down after the season and Chaim Bloom already overseeing player development, the Cardinals have an opportunity to prove they’re serious about competing rather than clinging to the status quo.
Fan frustration has been mounting as well. After ranking second in MLB attendance in 2022, the Cardinals have slipped to 19th this year — a clear sign of waning patience.
St. Louis opens a four-game series at home against the struggling Pirates on August 25 before facing the Reds, their direct Wild Card competitor. If the Cardinals want to make a push and avoid missing the playoffs for a third straight season, now is the perfect moment to bring Wetherholt to the majors.
There’s no time left to waste.
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