Locked On St. Louis Cardinals

JJ Wetherholt’s meteoric rise puts St. Louis Cardinals fans on notice—could the top prospect be the answer to revitalizing a rebuilding franchise? JD Hafron examines Wetherholt’s spring training buzz, his impressive minor league stats, and national recognition as a potential NL Rookie of the Year. The conversation weighs the pros and cons of placing Wetherholt on the Opening Day roster, spotlighting the new prospect promotion incentive rule and how it could impact the Cardinals’ future draft strategy. Other key storylines include updates on the starting rotation with Matthew Liberatore, Kyle Leahy, and Michael McGreevy headlining spring games, plus the latest on Riley O’Brien’s injury and its effect on bullpen depth. With fresh faces in the lineup, a focus on maintaining pitcher health, and management’s commitment to long-term success, the Cardinals are setting the stage for a pivotal 2026 season. How will these decisions shape the Birds on the Bat’s trajectory? 00:00 — JJ Wetherholt Hype, Prospects 10:01 — O