JJ

Wetherholt

Marmol added that Winn’s knee showed signs of improvement and that he’s at no risk of further damage by continuing to play. The 23-year-old shortstop is back in Monday’s lineup after sitting out Sunday’s game with left knee pain. The lingering issue, which required an injection during last month’s All-Star break, may need to be addressed in the offseason but he’s not at risk of missing time going forward. The latest development seemingly closes the door on the possibility of top prospect JJ Wetherholt ascending to the big leagues this week.

Winn ultimately requiring a trip to the injured list would pave the way for top prospect JJ Wetherholt to ascend to the majors in an everyday role. There should be some clarity on his status before the weekend wraps up. He’s been playing through a lingering knee issue that required an injection during last month’s All-Star break. It’s a situation that fantasy managers should monitor closely. Wetherholt is already rostered in most fantasy leagues, but he needs to be stashed in those where he’s still available.

Wetherholt scalded a pair of doubles in his 30th multi-hit performance of the season and reached base safely in four of his five plate appearances out of the leadoff spot as he continues to push for a late-season promotion to St. Louis. The 22-year-old shortstop is batting .316 (37-for-117) with 20 extra-base hits, including nine home runs, and five steals in 30 games since arriving at the Triple-A level last month. He would have immediate fantasy relevance if he were to be promoted by the Cardinals at some point in the final five weeks.

The seventh overall pick in last year’s MLB Draft, Wetherholt blasted a leadoff homer for the second time in his last three contests and has gone deep a staggering eight times in just 24 games since reaching the Triple-A level. He recorded just seven big flies over 62 contests for Double-A Springfield at the outset of the year. The 22-year-old shortstop doesn’t boast elite over-the-fence power, but it’s an encouraging sign to see him continue to drive the ball with authority on the doorstep of the majors. There’s a strong possibility he receives a late-season cameo with the Cardinals, which would give him some immediate appeal for fantasy managers, especially in deeper mixed leagues.

The 22-year-old is the 6th-ranked prospect in baseball, according to MLB Pipeline. Since being promoted to Triple-A, he’s hitting .301/.394/.639 with seven home runs, 14 RBI, and a 16/12 K/BB ratio in 22 games. He has played both shortstop and third base since being in Memphis and looks like a candidate to be promoted to St. Louis sometime this week or next, once the risk of him losing rookie eligibility is behind him.

Wetherholt made his first professional start at third base in this one and crushed his sixth long ball in just 16 games since arriving at the Triple-A level back in early July. The 22-year-old top prospect could get a late-season cameo in the majors, especially since he’s been tearing the cover off the ball at the Triple-A level. Some additional defensive versatility would open up avenues to additional at-bats. We’re anticipating the Cardinals wait until after August 15 to ensure that Wetherholt doesn’t surpass 45 days of service time, which would exhaust his rookie eligibility for next season. He’s worthy of a speculative stash in deeper mixed leagues on the potential that he’s called up later this month.

The Cardinals are likely going to wait until after August 15 to ensure that Wetherholt doesn’t surpass 45 days of service time, which would exhaust his rookie eligibility for next season. However, it’s starting to look like the 22-year-old prospect could get a late-season cameo in the majors, especially since he’s been tearing the cover off the ball at the Triple-A level. Some additional defensive versatility would open up avenues to additional at-bats and he’ll be a key component of St. Louis’ infield mix at some point in the near future. He’s worthy of a speculative stash in deeper mixed leagues on the potential that he’s called up later this month.

Wetherholt, who homered off Orioles rehabbing lefty Cade Povich in this one, is arguably the top fantasy prospect left in the minor leagues — with the notable exception of Orioles slugger Samuel Basallo — that has a real shot at making an impact over the final two months. The 22-year-old first-round pick from the 2024 MLB Draft hasn’t skipped a beat since arriving at the Triple-A level earlier this month, batting .340 (16-for-47) with five homers in 12 games. He doesn’t possess massive over-the-fence power potential, but he’s shown an ability to in the upper minors to consistently drive the ball to all fields.

Wetherholt went deep twice in the first three innings Wednesday night and has been on a tear since his promotion to Triple-A earlier this month, batting .379 with four homers in eight games. The 22-year-old shortstop is trending toward top-15 prospect status for dynasty purposes and is making a compelling case for a late-season call-up to St. Louis.

Wetherholt has gotten off to a sizzling-hot start since arriving at Triple-A Memphis last week, going 8-for-16 with five extra-base hits over four games. The 22-year-old shortstop — who checked in as the 22nd-ranked prospect in Rotoworld’s dynasty rankings midseason update — is hitting .314/.432/.502 with eight homers and 14 steals in 66 games this season in the upper minors. There’s a strong likelihood he makes it to St. Louis at some point in the second half as part of their infield mix for years to come.