JJ Wetherholt named top 3 prospect in MLB by Baseball America

[CardsofSTL]

Through his first 56 big league games, Wetherholt ranks first among rookies with 2.5 fWAR. That value comes from blending elite defense, a 123 wRC+ and seven stolen bases, truly impacting the game in all facets. If the season ended today, Wetherholt would have a strong case for the National League Rookie of the Year Award.

Wetherholt is currently on pace for a 7 fWAR season, which would be the best year from a rookie second baseman over the last 100 years. Only one rookie second baseman has ever had even a 6 fWAR season in the last century (Cardinals’ Lou Klein in 1943).

https://www.mlb.com/cardinals/news/jj-w ... ookie-pace

[WAR God]

Did any minor league scouting report say he would have best in the league range at 2B and elite base running?

This is why I don’t trust anything outside of hitting skills projections.

[phins]

Did any minor league scouting report say he would have best in the league range at 2B and elite base running?

This is why I don’t trust anything outside of hitting skills projections.

Yes on baserunning, solid range, average arm fielding.

The missing piece in almost any projection is a player changing the graph itself through aptitude for improvement.

He seems like he could be a star level piece if he stays healthy.

[CardsofSTL]

It seemed like he was being evaluated as a third baseman/shortstop quite a bit iirc and his best position always seemed like it was going to be 2nd.

[phins]

It seemed like he was being evaluated as a third baseman/shortstop quite a bit iirc and his best position always seemed like it was going to be 2nd.

The reason why prospect outlets do that is because those positions are higher value. 2B is a "fall back" position to prospects. Most any infield prospect with the range to play infield can play 2B as a fall back. Especially in the Wetherholt archetype.

You see prospects signed/drafted as SS's all the time because they can easily move off that spot and to other positions.

Prospects who are 2B only are binary prospects for the most part. Either good enough to start at the major league level or not a prospect. Because a utility guy needs to be able to play SS, if a 2B prospect isn't good enough to start you can't carry him on a roster.

Wetherholt always had the fall back of 2B but you develop him elsewhere in case he needs to be a utility guy. The Cardinals having Winn is really what moved to Wetherholt to 2B and it's allowed him to flourish, I agree.

[CardsofSTL]

It seemed like he was being evaluated as a third baseman/shortstop quite a bit iirc and his best position always seemed like it was going to be 2nd.

The reason why prospect outlets do that is because those positions are higher value. 2B is a "fall back" position to prospects. Most any infield prospect with the range to play infield can play 2B as a fall back. Especially in the Wetherholt archetype.

You see prospects signed/drafted as SS's all the time because they can easily move off that spot and to other positions.

Prospects who are 2B only are binary prospects for the most part. Either good enough to start at the major league level or not a prospect. Because a utility guy needs to be able to play SS, if a 2B prospect isn't good enough to start you can't carry him on a roster.

Wetherholt always had the fall back of 2B but you develop him elsewhere in case he needs to be a utility guy. The Cardinals having Winn is really what moved to Wetherholt to 2B and it's allowed him to flourish, I agree.

Makes sense.

[CardsofSTL]

[phins]

Wetherholt is over three wins already.

Jeez Louise, the kid is a superstar.