Top Cardinals prospect impresses in spring training, creating difficult Opening Day decision

JJ Wetherholt's strong performance has manager Oliver Marmol weighing options at second base

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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As the St. Louis Cardinals prepare for the 2026 season, top prospect JJ Wetherholt has emerged as a standout performer in spring training, hitting .375 with a home run, four RBIs, and five runs scored. Wetherholt's impressive play has created a difficult decision for manager Oliver Marmol, who must decide whether to give the 23-year-old the starting job at second base on Opening Day or go with more experienced options like Thomas Saggese, Jose Fermin, and Roman Urias.

Why it matters

The Cardinals are entering a rebuild, and getting playing time for their top young prospects like Wetherholt could be crucial for the team's long-term success. Wetherholt's strong spring training performance has made him a leading candidate for the second base job, but Marmol must weigh the benefits of starting an inexperienced player against the potential upside of Wetherholt's high ceiling.

The details

Wetherholt was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft after a standout college career at West Virginia. In 2025, he played at the Triple-A level for the Memphis Redbirds and was named the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year. This spring, Wetherholt has continued to impress, showcasing his power, speed, and advanced approach at the plate. He is competing for the starting second base job with Saggese, Fermin, and Urias, all of whom have more professional experience.

  • Wetherholt was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft.
  • In 2025, Wetherholt played at the Triple-A level for the Memphis Redbirds and was named the Cardinals' Minor League Player of the Year.
  • The Cardinals are preparing for the 2026 season through spring training.

The players

JJ Wetherholt

A 23-year-old top prospect in the Cardinals' farm system, Wetherholt was the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft and is competing for the starting second base job in 2026.

Oliver Marmol

The manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, Marmol must decide whether to give the starting second base job to the inexperienced but talented Wetherholt or go with more experienced options.

Thomas Saggese

A player competing with Wetherholt for the starting second base job with the Cardinals.

Jose Fermin

A player competing with Wetherholt for the starting second base job with the Cardinals.

Roman Urias

A player competing with Wetherholt for the starting second base job with the Cardinals.

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What they’re saying

“He's impressive, man. He really is. The skill set is what it is; we have talked enough about that, but the mentality is what continues to stand out for me. I love his mentality, his competitive nature, the way he is going about camp, and the way he's responding to things not going his way sometimes. He's going to help us win a lot of games for years to come.”

— Oliver Marmol, Manager, St. Louis Cardinals (Foul Territory)

What’s next

Marmol will continue to evaluate Wetherholt and the other second base candidates throughout the remainder of spring training before making a decision on the Opening Day starter.

The takeaway

Wetherholt's impressive spring training performance has put the Cardinals in a difficult position, as they must weigh the potential upside of starting the talented prospect against the risk of relying on an inexperienced player. Marmol's comments suggest Wetherholt has earned strong consideration for the job, but the manager will need to carefully evaluate all options before making a decision that could significantly impact the team's 2026 season.