The St. Louis Cardinals are days away from pitchers and catchers reporting to their spring training complex in Jupiter, Fla., and a lot of eyes will be on the top prospect in the team's system.

Cardinals infielder JJ Wetherholt will head to camp at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium with hefty expectations.

Wetherholt, who's ranked as the No. 5 prospect in baseball per MLB Pipeline's top 100, is projected to break camp with St. Louis and have a starting role on the team in 2026.

The Cardinals traded away first baseman/catcher Willson Contreras, third baseman Nolan Arenado and could deal second baseman Brendan Donovan, leaving Wetherholt with a runway to grab one of two (possibly three) infield positions.

Wetherholt has been a highly-touted player since St. Louis selected him with the seventh overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft out of West Virginia.

In a recent podcast appearance, Cardinals farm director Larry Day talked about what makes Wetherholt a great player beyond the physical tools.

"He's a really talented baseball player," Day said on the 'Dealin' The Cards' podcast. "What everyone doesn't see — and they will over time as they get to know him — is the motor and the drive and the tactical preparation. The technical prowess is there. We see it. The tactical preparation that he invests in his game, it's elite. Whether it be studying an opposing pitcher and his tendencies — for him to be prepared as a hitter, but also as a base runner. He invests a ton of time into making sure that he is strategically and tactically ready to beat tonight."

Wetherholt had his first full professional season last year and impressed in his tour around St. Louis' farm system. He skipped High-A and played 109 across stints in Double-A (62 games) and Triple-A (47 games).

Wetherholt slashed .306/.421/.510 with a .931 OPS and hit 28 doubles, two triples and 17 home runs with 59 RBIs.

The former Mountaineer's numbers improved when he was promoted. Wetherholt slashed .300/.425/.466 in Double-A compared to .314/.416/.562 in Triple-A.

The Cardinals are well-into their rebuild. It will likely take another season (at least) before the team can realistically think about putting together a roster capable of playoff contention.

Even so, Wetherholt will likely play a major role in the team's future and, based on his standing as a prospect, has "face of the franchise potential." This year will be the first chance he has to prove those expectations correct.

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