If you like our content,\u00a0choose Sports Illustrated as a preferred source on Google<\/a>.<\/p>\n The hype is real. On Friday, ESPN’s Jeff Passan<\/a> was asked about Wetherholt on Threads and noted that he believes Wetherholt will be up in the big leagues “pretty quickly” and he’s “a guy you build around.” <\/p>\n The Cardinals have a bright future Jul 12, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; National League infielder JJ Wetherholt (26) of the St. Louis Cardinals rounds the bases during the second inning against American League at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images | Brett Davis-Imagn Images<\/p>\n “I think he’ll be up pretty quickly,” Passan wrote. “And yes. He is the goods. Not a big guy, but he’s got real power. The bat-to-ball skills are plus. He’s got strike-zone awareness. All the offensive skills you look for, he checks the box. He’s a guy you build around.”<\/p>\n Passan is the top insider in Major League Baseball. His words hold weight, so the fact that he said he believes Wetherholt will be up quickly is yet another positive update for the Cardinals fanbase. <\/p>\n Wetherholt has all the potential in the world. Although St. Louis hasn’t been exactly where the club has wanted to be over the last few seasons, the future is bright. Wetherholt has all of the makings of a future star. The Cardinals have a fellow 23-year-old who looks like a franchise cornerstone as well in Masyn Winn, who recently shared a message<\/a> for Wetherholt. <\/p>\n “I want him to come in comfortable and just be himself,\u201d Winn said of Wetherholt. \u201cI don\u2019t want him to be walking on eggshells or anything like that. I want him to go out there and just have a lot of fun.\u201d<\/p>\n If Wetherholt can make the team out of camp, it will be a step forward in this rebuild process.<\/p>\n![\"National](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/mlb\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/01\/01kgacbjkb03zbyj0nfj.jpg\" "\\"National")
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