Cardinals, Wetherholt ink 8-year extension

July 10, 2026 3

ST. LOUIS — Rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt will remain part of the St. Louis Cardinals per a news release Friday.

The Cardinals organization and Wetherholt agreed to an eight-year extension, keeping the 2024 first round pick through 2034.

Wetherholt, 23, has excelled in his debut season. As a rookie, he started off well in his thrilling Opening Day debut. He would continue that play worth of becoming an All-Star as a rookie.

“Since joining the Cardinals two years ago, JJ has impressed in every aspect,” said Cardinals President of Baseball Operations Chaim Bloom. “He is a dynamic player who produces in every facet of the game, and a true professional who is consistent, prepared, and hard-working.”

“Equally as important, he’s a great teammate who wants to win. He represents the organization with class both at the field and away from it,” Bloom added. “We are proud of the person JJ is and the player he continues to become, and are pleased to enter into this commitment with him. JJ is a very important part of what we are building. We look forward to winning together for many years.”

Wetherholt as an impact player on the Cardinals roster

The lefty-hitting Wetherholt, playing as an everyday second baseman and leadoff batter, has produced at a high level with a .267 batting average. He also has 13 home runs, 36 RBI and 9 stolen bases in 87 games played. He leads the majors with his steady defensive play, leading all Major League second sackers in defensive bWAR (1.5). His impactful play leads second basement in Runs Prevented (12) and Outs Above Average (16).

Wetherholt ranks fourth among all National League position players with his 3.9 bWAR. In addition, he owns the second best runs created total (63) for N.L. second basemen. He has produced 22 hits to lead off a game, the most by a Cardinals rookie since 1985 N.L. Rookie of the Year Vince Coleman collected a franchise rookie-record 44.

JJ has already hit a Cardinals rookie record four lead-off home runs this season. His 27 multi-hit games through the team’s first 92 games are second only to Albert Pujols. Pujols would collect 32 in the team’s first 92 games of his 2001 rookie campaign.

Wetherholt’s 13 home runs are the most ever by a Cardinals rookie second baseman. He’s one round-tripper shy of setting the franchise rookie mark for home runs as a lead-off batter.

The Mars, PA native, and West Virginia University alum, was the seventh overall MLB Draft selection in 2024. He was named the Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year and the Texas League (AA) Most Valuable Player in 2025.

Jake Leonard, Executive Editor-In-Chief

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Jake Leonard, a broadcast media and journalism veteran, is the editor-in-chief of Heartland Newsfeed. Leonard is also GM and program director of Heartland Newsfeed Radio Network, wrestling editor and contributing writer for Ambush Sports, a contributing writer for My Sports Vote and Midwest Sports Network, and a former contributor to Bleacher Report and Overtime Heroics. He resides at home in Nokomis, Ill. with his dog Buster.