The St. Louis Cardinals’ top selection in the 2024 MLB Draft is already making waves with an impressive start to spring training, giving management some reassurance in case their Platinum Glove-winning third baseman is traded.
During his Grapefruit League debut on Sunday, infielder JJ Wetherholt launched an opposite-field, three-run home run that immediately caught the attention of onlookers, including manager Oliver Marmol. Marmol praised Wetherholt’s swing, noting how well the ball came off his bat. “He stood on that one, huh? Backside kind of stayed through it, (and) the ball jumped off his bat,” he told Daniel Guerrero of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. According to Statcast, the homer traveled 345 feet with an exit velocity of 100.6 mph. Wetherholt also added a single in the fourth inning, capping off a strong debut for the 22-year-old and adding some pressure on team president John Mozeliak.
JJ Wetherholt Could Make an Impact Sooner if Nolan Arenado is Dealt
Despite arriving at camp ready to play, Nolan Arenado’s future in St. Louis remains uncertain. Mozeliak, who is in his final season as the Cardinals’ president of baseball operations, could still explore trade options. However, Arenado has the ability to veto any move and appears content staying in St. Louis unless an offer from a preferred team materializes—something most fans are happy with for now.
If the Cardinals do trade Arenado, it would open the door for younger players, aligning with Mozeliak’s goal of building for the future. Nolan Gorman could become the everyday third baseman, while Thomas Saggese—who has seen time at third—could also rotate into the lineup. Wetherholt, who primarily plays second base and shortstop, would get more opportunities as well.
Moving Arenado would allow Gorman to settle in at third base rather than shifting between positions, while Saggese could step in when needed. Wetherholt would take over at second and could fill in at shortstop when Masyn Winn needs a break. All of these players are cost-controlled and entering their primes, positioning the Cardinals for a potential resurgence within the next couple of seasons.
For now, Arenado remains a key piece of the roster, much to the delight of fans. But with promising young talent like Wetherholt emerging, the future in St. Louis is looking bright. It will be interesting to see how things unfold as the season progresses.
