ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - A little over a week after the St. Louis Cardinals made infielder JJ Wetherholt their highest draft pick since J.D. Drew in 1998, Wetherholt is officially a member the Cardinals organization.
On Tuesday, the Cardinals officially announced they have agreed to terms with Wetherholt.
Terms of the deal were not disclosed by the Cardinals, but Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post Dispatch reported Wetherholt would receive a $6.9 million bonus, which is slightly over the $6.8237 million slot value.
Wetherholt finished his final year with West Virginia on a solid note, slashing .331/.472/.589 with eight home runs, eight doubles, 30 RBI, 30 runs scored, six steals, and 30 walks with just 17 strikeouts in 164 plate appearances.
Despite being limited to 36 games in 2024 after injuring his hamstring in February, Wetherholt led the Mountaineers with a 1.061 OPS and was All-Big 12 First Team selection.
Wetherholt is rated as the 24th overall prospect in all of baseball and the Cardinals top prospect according to Baseball America, one spot ahead of right-handed pitcher Tink Hence.
Cardinals say Wetherholt will first report to Jupiter, Florida where he will receive his affiliation assignment to begin his professional career and 2024 minor league season.
With the signing of Wetherholt official, the Cardinals have officially signed 16 of their 19 selections, with catcher Josh Krauss, right handed pitcher Brandt Thompson and shortstop Brendan Lawson among those to have not yet signed.