JJ Wetherholt To Make Cardinals' Opening Day Roster
MLB Trade Rumors • • sports
Key Points:
- Cardinals prospect JJ Wetherholt has made the Opening Day roster, along with infielders Thomas Saggese, José Fermín, and outfielder Nathan Church; outfielder Nelson Velázquez was assigned to Triple-A Memphis.
- Wetherholt, the seventh overall pick in the 2024 draft, impressed in Double-A and Triple-A last year with a .306/.421/.510 batting line, strong defense at shortstop, and 23 stolen bases.
- The Cardinals cleared roster space over the offseason by trading veterans like Willson Contreras, Nolan Arenado, and Brendan Donovan to give younger players, including Wetherholt, more major league opportunities.
- Wetherholt’s inclusion on the roster allows the Cardinals to keep the Prospect Promotion Incentive active, potentially earning an extra draft pick if he achieves Rookie of the Year or finishes top three in MVP voting during his pre-arbitration years.
- Despite a strong spring training performance, Velázquez was sent to Triple-A due to roster constraints and the need to open a 40-man spot for Wetherholt, with the team managing injuries and roster flexibility carefully.
