Mars grad, St. Louis Cardinals shortstop JJ Wetherholt soaking in homecoming
PITTSBURGH — JJ Wetherholt’s whirlwind of a first month in the major leagues made a stop in a very familiar place.
A 2021 Mars Area High School graduate and rookie starting second baseman for St. Louis, Wetherholt arrived with the Cardinals at PNC Park on Monday to begin a four-game series against Pittsburgh.
“It’s super cool to be playing at a ballpark I know so well,” Wetherholt said. “I know this place better than any other. I came as a fan so many times and even played three games here when I was playing in college at West Virginia.
“I’ll get to spend some time with family over the next couple of days and hopefully, get some wins.”
Over 50 friends and members of his family were in attendance to see him homer in the top of the ninth inning, tying the game at 2-2, including his parents, Mike and Holly Wetherholt of Treesdale. They get all of the Cardinals’ games on TV through MLB Network, and have seen a number of games in person.
It marked the third straight game he homered in, and the Redbirds wound up leaving with a 4-2 victory.
“It’s been very enjoyable seeing him begin his (MLB) career,” Mike said. “It’s still hard for me to believe that it’s happening.”
Wetherholt, a leadoff hitter, entered Monday’s game batting .238 (24 for 101) with five home runs, and already has offered moments he and his parents will never forget.
One came in the first game of the season against Tampa Bay, a 9-7 win March 26.
“Holly and I made it out to St. Louis for that,” Mike said. “I was going to enjoy myself no matter what happened, then he ends up hitting a home run. It was incredible.”
Wetherholt also had two home runs in an extra-inning victory against Cleveland April 14.
“Right now, we’re looking at what pitchers are trying to do to him, and what he can do in return,” St. Louis hitting coach Brant Brown said. “It’s a constant chess game and we collaborate, want to put him in the most consistent position to be successful.
“We demand that all of our hitters do their homework (with watching video), but JJ has a very high ceiling and he does not panic.”
Panicking would be easy to do with all of the hype that has accompanied Wetherholt, who spent less than two years in the minors after the Cardinals drafted him No. 7 overall in 2024.
Even before his first MLB at-bat, national media outlets were tabbing him as one of the front-runners to win the NL Rookie of the Year award.
“I heard some of that talk, but my focus is on becoming a better baseball player and helping the team win,” said Wetherholt, who has remained grounded through it all.
“When spring training wrapped up, some players (for the Cardinals) didn’t know if they’d be staying with the big club or going to Memphis (Triple-A),” Mike said. “He said, ‘Dad, I’m not on the team yet’. He never took it for granted.”
Wetherholt was born in Baltimore and moved with his family to Butler County in 2007, becoming a Pirates fan soon afterward.
“I remember rooting for Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Starling Marte … but Andrew McCutchen was definitely my favorite player,” he said. “And this park, with the city as a backdrop, it’s a special place.”
Mike and Holly also plan to make a Cardinals’ series in Cincinnati later this season. They have a unique way of watching their son’s games on television.
“My wife has a hard time watching his at-bats,” Mike said. “When he’s up, we’ll pause the TV, but I’ll keep track of the game on my phone. If it goes well, if he gets a hit, then we watch it happen on television.”
WVU’s baseball team, for which Wetherholt starred for three seasons, was also in attendance Monday. Mars’ baseball team is hoping to make a game later this week.
As for JJ, he is literally living the dream.
“I’ve just tried to take it all in and appreciate all the places I get to go,” he said. “It’s been a ton of fun.”
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars High School graduate and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt speaks with reporters during an interview in the visitors dugout at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars High School graduate and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt speaks with reporters during an interview in the visitors dugout at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars High School graduate and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt speaks with reporters during an interview in the visitors dugout at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars High School graduate and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt speaks with reporters during an interview in the visitors dugout at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt (26) warms up before a game against the Pittsburg Pirates at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
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Mars High School graduate and St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt speaks with reporters during an interview in the visitors dugout at PNC Park on Monday, April 27, 2026. Matthew Brown/Butler Eagle
