JJ Wetherholt, the standout shortstop from West Virginia University (WVU), achieved a historic milestone as he was selected with the No. 7 overall pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2024 MLB Draft, held in Morgantown, West Virginia. This selection marks the highest draft position ever attained by a WVU baseball player, surpassing the previous records set by former Mountaineer pitchers Chris Enochs and Alek Manoah, who were drafted No. 11 overall in 1997 and 2019, respectively. Wetherholt becomes the fourth Mountaineer to be chosen in the first round of the MLB Draft.
The Cardinals’ acquisition of Wetherholt adds to their roster of WVU alumni, joining Victor Scott II, who was drafted in the fifth round in 2022 and has since risen as the third-ranked prospect in the Cardinals’ system, making his major league debut earlier in the season.
During his illustrious career spanning 145 games at WVU, Wetherholt left an indelible mark with his exceptional performance at the plate and on the field. He compiled impressive statistics, including a batting average of .370 with 206 hits, 29 home runs, 49 doubles, 148 runs scored, 129 RBIs, and 57 stolen bases, ranking within the top 20 in program history across these categories.
Wetherholt’s accolades speak volumes about his dominance in college baseball. He earned eight All-American honors during his tenure at WVU, highlighted by a unanimous selection as a First Team All-American in 2023. His standout sophomore season saw him lead the nation with a remarkable .449 batting average, coupled with 16 home runs, 24 doubles, 60 RBIs, 67 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases. His offensive prowess earned him recognition as the first power five player since Buster Posey in 2008 to achieve such statistics, showcasing a rare combination of hitting power and base-running agility.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Wetherholt was named the Big 12 Player of the Year in 2023, a historic first for WVU baseball, as he played a pivotal role in securing the Mountaineers’ maiden Big 12 title. He also garnered academic accolades, becoming WVU’s first player since 2005 to be named a College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American. His exceptional season saw him recognized as a finalist for the Dick Howser Trophy and a semifinalist for the prestigious Golden Spikes Award.
Despite facing adversity with injuries that sidelined him for 24 games during his junior year, Wetherholt’s resilience and talent shone through. He was named to the All-Big 12 First Team for the second consecutive year and earned recognition as a Perfect Game All-American. His contributions were pivotal in WVU’s journey to clinch the NCAA Tucson Regional championship and secure their first-ever NCAA Super Regional berth in program history.
As JJ Wetherholt embarks on his professional baseball career with the St. Louis Cardinals, his impact and legacy at WVU remain unparalleled, marking him as one of the most celebrated athletes in Mountaineer baseball history.