NL Central: Can JJ Wetherholt stick at leadoff for the Cardinals?
Mar 20 2026
As Cardinals camp begins its final week, rookie shortstop JJ Wetherholt has taken over leadoff duties in each of the last three games he's started. Wetherholt at leadoff makes sense, he's posted a walk rate equal to or better than his strikeout rate through his minor league run, which is the kind of plate discipline that should persist in MLB. So far in 37 Grapefruit League plate appearances he's logged six hits, six strikeouts and eight walks.
The question isn't really whether Wetherholt can hit leadoff eventually. This isn't unfamiliar territory for him. What's unfamiliar is Busch Stadium and the scrutiny that comes from playing baseball at the highest level. He wouldn't be the first rookie to earn a big role out of...
Almost!
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