The St. Louis Cardinals enter the 2026 season with tempered expectations, marking a rare year without anticipating a strong playoff push. Despite this, there is considerable enthusiasm around the team’s youthful roster, particularly the opportunities for emerging players to break out. Among these players, top prospect JJ Wetherholt has captured attention as the newly available second base spot opens after the trade of Brendan Donovan.
The Cardinals are banking on younger athletes to step up both offensively and defensively, and Wetherholt is viewed as a key figure in this rebuilding phase. His impressive skill set has not gone unnoticed within the organization or by his teammates, who have expressed excitement about his potential impact on the field.
Masyn Winn Shares Impressions of Wetherholt’s Abilities
Masyn Winn, the Cardinals’ standout shortstop, voiced his high regard for Wetherholt during an interview with MLB Network, highlighting both his athleticism and commitment.
“I’ve seen a lot of great things. Obviously, I know what he can do with the bat. Defensively, he’s only going to get better. He’s just got to slow the game down,”
Winn said. He added,
“But the dude is an uber-athlete. The dude can do pretty much everything on the field. It’s pretty exciting. He shows up to the park every day to work. He was actually working out with me this offseason. The dude’s work ethic is unmatched, the dude’s drive is unmatched. He wants to be here every day and it’s going to be a lot of fun turning double plays with him.”
Winn’s enthusiasm reflects a shared confidence in Wetherholt’s growth and suggests that the young infielder’s hard work this offseason is already paying dividends. This mentorship dynamic not only elevates Wetherholt’s potential but also strengthens the Cardinals’ infield prospects for the upcoming season.
Potential Impact of Winn and Wetherholt on Cardinals’ Future
With Wetherholt positioned as the probable starting second baseman and Winn anchoring shortstop, the Cardinals hope this middle infield duo will become a defensive cornerstone in 2026. Their combined athleticism and work ethic promise improvements to an area critical for team success. Although the team’s overall outlook is subdued, strong performances from these two could be among the year’s surprises.
At just 23 years old, Winn has assumed more of a veteran role, providing guidance as Wetherholt transitions into a bigger responsibility. If they both develop offensively alongside their defensive contributions, the Cardinals might exceed current projections for the season. As the franchise leans into youth, Winn’s positive assessment of Wetherholt signals a foundation worth watching for fans and analysts alike.
"It's going to be a lot of fun turning double plays with him."
– Masyn Winn on JJ Wetherholt
30 Clubs, 30 Camps | @Cardinals pic.twitter.com/VC2PrsSxjD
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) February 28, 2026
