- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,128,881
- Reaction score
- 59
You must be registered for see images attach
A historic MLB debut on Opening Day for JJ Wetherholt with Cardinals originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
JJ Wetherholt has arrived.
The St. Louis Cardinals decided not to wait any longer. Rather than send Wetherholt back to the minor leagues, he's in MLB on Opening Day.
On Thursday, that means Wetherholt will make his regular season MLB debut. He most likely will bat leadoff.
If Wetherholt leads off, he'll be the first Cardinals rookie to bat in the leadoff spot for his MLB debut on Opening Day since 1949:
MORE: Mike Trout, Tiger Woods, and Superman without his cape
The first Cardinals player to ever do this was Pug Bennett in 1906, which is really just a great excuse to spell out the name Pug Bennett.
Wetherholt is hoped to have immense staying power. He's a top-10 prospect in the entire sport, and the Cardinals will be hoping he's their shortstop for the next decade or more.
But every career starts somewhere, and Wetherholt's is slated to start Thursday at the major league level.
MORE: Mets, Marlins risk Moneyball Ron Washington mistake
The Cardinals didn't have to bring him to the majors to start the season. Not many expect St. Louis to be competitive. They could've delayed Wetherholt's service time clock.
But they decided he's ready, and they chose not to hold back a special talent any longer.
Wetherholt is making his MLB debut on Thursday, and it could be a day Cardinals fans look back on for a long time as a significant one.
More MLB news:
- How a Blue Jays unknown can decide the World Series
- Juan Soto might lead MLB in a brand new stat
- Giants snap embarrassing 19-year streak that tied MLB record
- MLB's future of the shortstop position is immensely bright
- Cal Raleigh was supposed to play for the Braves
- 4 MLB teams that can unseat the Dodgers
Continue reading...
