By: James Gravley | WV Sports Chat
The St. Louis Cardinals top prospect JJ Wetherholt has been on a tear ever since being drafted by the organization last summer. He hasn’t slowed down since being promoted to Triple-A either.
Wetherholt, on Saturday, hit his eighth home run of the season in Triple-A. That home run came off a 3-2 fastball that traveled 334 feet and it left the bat at 91.1 mph, per Statcast. Even though I wrote about him being ready for the show and likely earning a promotion this season according to MLB.com, it appears any rumors of a potential promotions this season have been shut down by Cardinals’ GM John Mozeliak.
“It’s not the protection year, so I think it’s not necessarily in the best interest for the organization to do that. Even though it might be fun and exciting, you’re not forced to put them on the roster this offseason, and so that’s definitely something that should be a part of the equation.”
That was a direct quote from Mozeliak in regard to the Cardinals promoting Wetherholt this season.
Even though Wetherholt has proven himself to be a stud and a good ball player, which was proven by being named Cardinals Minor League Player of the Month, it appears it is more evident now that he will indeed finish out this season in the minors and more than likely earn a spot on the Opening Day roster next spring.
Photo: Brett Davis-Imagn Images / Brett Davis-Imagn Images