JJ Wetherholt Is Gold Gloving His Way to Rookie of the Year

Down the stretch, there are lots of races that have been flat-out electrifying. Pete Crow-Armstrong is challenging Shohei Ohtani for National League MVP. The AL Cy Young is open for business after the Tigers parted ways with ace Tarik Skubal, and the NL Rookie of the Year Award is heating up with about five different suitors. One of those suitors is St. Louis’ JJ Wetherholt.

Wetherholt, 23, was the St. Louis Cardinals‘ first-round draft pick in 2024. Since his debut this season, all he’s done is help the Redbirds win.

Whether it’s his precise eye at the plate, sneaky pull-side power, elite baserunning, or his glittering glove on defense, he’s the complete package.

Wetherholt currently leads National League rookies in WAR and trails only Tigers’ Kevin McGonigle among all rookies.

That settles it, right? Shouldn’t the award go to the “most valuable” rookie? Well, not quite.

Sal Stewart, first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds, is attempting to slug his way to the award. Additionally, TJ Rumfield (Rockies), Carson Benge (Mets), and Nolan McLean (Mets) are all making noise.

What sets Wetherholt apart? How can he stand out in such a prolific rookie class?

Let’s dive in. 

Stats were taken prior to play on August 19.

JJ Wetherholt Dominates the Little Things

Stewart, Rumfield, and Benge all lead Wetherholt in OPS and most offensive categories, largely due to a recent skid by the Cardinals’ second baseman. He’s slashed .165/.306/.252 over his last 28 games.

Conversely, Stewart, Rumfield, and Benge have picked up steam down the stretch. The eye test has long been favorable, but fans and even some analysts are starting to call for Wetherholt to win the award.

However, one thing none of these other competitors can claim is the defensive value Wetherholt brings to a club.

Ahead of his eventual debut, scouts promised average defense at best and room for growth. The ascension must’ve taken place during Spring Training, because as soon as Opening Day rolled around, Wetherholt was picking it at second base like prime Frankie Frisch.

This season, Wetherholt is in the 100th percentile in fielding run value (21) and outs above average (22). There are very few players in the game who can compare to that, let alone rookies.

The accumulation of runs saved on defense is what drives Wetherholt’s WAR sky-high, and, according to FanGraphs, his production would be projected to land him $33.3 million per year in free agency.

That’s with a 105 OPS+, .717 OPS, and over a month of pitiful offensive performance. The game of baseball has more than one side, and the reality is that Wetherholt dominates the game in more facets than any other rookie in the National League.

For an even more specific example of how some folks view the race, Stewart is on track to post 30-plus long balls and 100-plus RBI. To some, that should lock him in for the award, irrespective of Wetherholt’s many talents.

Unfortunately, this point seems to be moot. From an unbiased standpoint, Stewart plays in one of the most hitter-friendly ballparks league-wide. Furthermore, he amasses RBI at a higher clip because he bats in the middle of the order. The same can be said for Rumfield and his personal stomping grounds at Coors Field.

Wetherholt bats leadoff and has a .795 OPS on the road. For context, his .639 OPS at Busch Stadium, which has been treacherous for batters all season, wouldn’t earn him any notoriety for an award.

Even with his field advantage, it’d be disrespectful not to mention Stewart’s success in clutch situations. He’s definitely had more opportunities, but he’s maximized them.

However, Wetherholt has done the same, only in a different way.

According to Baseball Reference, he has 86 plate appearances in “late and close” games. In those chances, he’s posted a slash line of .280/.372/.440, equaling an OPS of .812.

All of this is to say Stewart’s offensive accomplishments do not outweigh Wetherholt’s overall value. The defense is significant enough, and the offense is close enough, that Wetherholt should win the race.

Although that may not be the only award he’s on track for.

JJ Wetherholt Could Bring Home Lots of Hardware This Year

Aside from the Rookie of the Year race, Wetherholt is in serious competition for the Gold Glove Award at second base.

If it weren’t for rival center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, he might even have a chance at the Platinum Glove.

Through August 19, Wetherholt ranks tied with Bobby Witt Jr. for second in all of baseball in OAA. He leads names like Dansby Swanson, and Ceddanne Rafaela — only trailing the aforementioned Crow-Armstrong.

That’s a list of names that are often considered the best defenders at their respective positions. Wetherholt has been decidedly better, and it shouldn’t go unnoticed.

Starting shortstop Masyn Winn won the 100th Gold Glove in St. Louis Cardinals history, underscoring the organization’s longstanding prominence in defense.

Wetherholt is just the latest example of a tradition that spans generations. One organization has had potentially the best defensive catcher (Yadier Molina), third baseman (Nolan Arenado), first baseman (Keith Hernandez), and shortstop (Ozzie Smith) of all time.

Read more

MLB

What JJ Wetherholt’s Success Means for the Cardinals’ Future

Prospects

Evaluating the Cardinals’ 2026 Trade Deadline Return

If Wetherholt continues his defensive dominance, he’ll break the century mark in St. Louis for Gold Glove fielders and cement himself as one of the game’s best surehanded second basemen.

Only 19 rookies have been recognized with Gold Gloves in MLB history. Wetherholt would be in very rare air if he were to take home the hardware, furthering his case for Rookie of the Year.

This season has been nothing short of storybook for fans in St. Louis. Countless moments have led the Cardinals’ faithful back to Busch Stadium and have placed the team within reach of the ever-so-attainable third Wild Card spot.

But before Jordan Walker’s Home Run Derby drama, or Dustin May’s one-hit shutout, or the greatest MLB debut of all time from Joshua Báez, there was Wetherholt.

It all started with an Opening Day blast to topple the Rays. The journey continued in his hometown of Pittsburgh, where, in front of friends and family, he led an inconceivable comeback. And to close it all out, Wetherholt’s glove should be golden, and he should be recognized as the National League Rookie of the Year.