Cardinals Weigh Timing of Top Prospect's MLB Debut

Highly touted infielder JJ Wetherholt could crack St. Louis' Opening Day roster, but team must balance development with immediate needs.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The St. Louis Cardinals face a key decision this spring on when to promote top prospect JJ Wetherholt to the major league roster. Wetherholt, a 22-year-old infielder, dominated at Triple-A last season and is seen as the long-term answer at second base. However, the Cardinals must weigh his readiness against the potential risks of rushing his MLB debut.

Why it matters

The Cardinals are in a transitional phase, having traded away veterans like Brendan Donovan and Nolan Arenado. Wetherholt's development is crucial to the team's long-term plans, but bringing him up too soon could stunt his growth. The decision on his 2026 role will have major implications for the Cardinals' season and beyond.

The details

Wetherholt excelled at Triple-A in 2025, leading to calls from fans for the Cardinals to promote him to the majors. However, the team opted to hold him back, prioritizing his continued development over an immediate MLB debut. Now, with an Opening Day roster spot potentially available, the Cardinals must weigh Wetherholt's readiness against the risk of rushing him to the big leagues before he's fully prepared.

  • Wetherholt dominated at Triple-A in the second half of the 2025 season.
  • The Cardinals will make their final roster decisions during 2026 spring training.

The players

JJ Wetherholt

A 22-year-old infielder who is considered the Cardinals' top prospect and the long-term answer at second base.

Masyn Winn

The Cardinals' starting shortstop, who is considered too good defensively to move to another position to accommodate Wetherholt.

Brendan Donovan

A veteran infielder who was traded away by the Cardinals this offseason, opening up a spot for Wetherholt.

Nolan Arenado

A veteran third baseman who was also traded away by the Cardinals this offseason as part of their roster overhaul.

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What they’re saying

“He's an obvious candidate to crack the Cardinals' Opening Day roster, with the catch being that it won't be at shortstop. That's Masyn Winn's spot, and he's too good defensively to move somewhere else in deference to the kid.”

— Zachary Rymer, Bleacher Report Writer (Bleacher Report)

What’s next

The Cardinals will monitor Wetherholt's performance closely during spring training to determine if he is ready to make the Opening Day roster as the team's starting second baseman.

The takeaway

The Cardinals face a delicate balance in handling Wetherholt's development, needing to weigh his clear talent and potential against the risks of rushing him to the majors before he is fully prepared. Their decision on his 2026 role will have major implications for the team's short- and long-term future.