The St. Louis Cardinals are hanging on by a thread in the playoff race, and many fans have already written off their 2025 chances. Still, one thing supporters were anticipating in September was the possible call-up of top infield prospect JJ Wetherholt.
That excitement might be short-lived, as Cardinals President of Baseball Operations John Mozeliak seems hesitant to make it happen.
In an appearance on The Morning After on St. Louis’ 101 ESPN, Mozeliak expressed reluctance to promote Wetherholt from Triple-A Memphis when rosters expand, citing that this isn’t the “protection year” for the prospect. Since Wetherholt doesn’t yet need to be added to the 40-man roster to be safe from the Rule 5 draft—a milestone not coming until 2028—Mozeliak suggested there’s no urgency to make the move, even if it would be “fun and exciting.”
If Mozeliak holds firm, it could be a costly choice. St. Louis has a soft August schedule that might allow a late Wild Card push, but September brings tougher opponents. With Nolan Arenado sidelined indefinitely, the team could use defensive help at third base, potentially freeing up Brendan Donovan or Thomas Saggese to fill in more often, even if Wetherholt isn’t the one playing there.
Calling up Wetherholt wouldn’t burn his rookie eligibility for 2026, as he’d fall short of both the service time and at-bats thresholds. It would also give him a taste of the majors and position him for a Rookie of the Year run—a title now tied to a Prospect Promotion Incentive that could net the Cardinals an extra draft pick.
Mozeliak’s influence on roster moves post-trade deadline is unclear. If Wetherholt gets the call despite his comments, it might signal incoming boss Chaim Bloom taking the reins. Such a move would likely boost Bloom’s standing with fans eager for new leadership.
For now, Mozeliak’s stance is frustrating for many. But whether Wetherholt debuts in 2025 or not, his long-term potential remains a bright spot for the franchise.