MLB Draft Profile- J.J. Wetherholt

By Ryan Myers

At Draft Nation, the MLB draft talk never ends. We will get you ready for the 2024 draft with player profiles and mock drafts so you can see who your favorite team may add to their roster. 

Today’s Spotlight - West Virginia- Middle Infielder, J.J. Wetherholt

Name- J.J. Wetherholt

Pos- 2B/SS

Team- West Virginia

HT/WT- 5’10” 190 lbs

Born- 9/10/2002

Home – Mars, PA

J.J. Wetherholt attended Mars Area High School in Mars, Pennsylvania. His best high school season came in his sophomore year where he batted .500 with 4 home runs. He joined West Virginia following his high school campaign.

In his freshman season with the Mountaineers, Wetherholt was an immediate impact player as he batted .308 with .417 slugging, 39 RBI, and 5 home runs. He earned an All-Big 12 Freshman Team selection, and an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention.

In his sophomore season in 2023, J.J. hit .449, and slugged .787, nearly doubling his slugging from his freshman season. He had 16 home runs and 60 RBI on the year. His added weight and improved power put him on the radar for the draft in the following year.

This season, Wetheholt’s numbers have taken a bit of a hit, but he is still hitting .339 with 3 homers and 18 RBI’s for the Mountaineers.

Strengths

• Frame
• Contact Skills
• Plus Runner
• Versatility
• Hits to All Fields

Wetherholt shows impresive bat control, and bat-to-ball skills, barreling up more balls than most other players in the country, and showing willingness to hit the ball where it is pitched. His hard hit rate is among the top in college baseball and his added power to his frame has allowed for more natural power, making him an even more well-rounded player. He is a great runner who plans to steal lots of bags at the next level, while also providing some versatility around the infield defensively.

Weaknesses

• Average Arm

Wetherholt's average arm strength will likely lead to him being limited to playing second base and possibly third base at the next level, but he will see a lot of playing time at short this season with the Mountaineers. Hamstring injuries have kept him off the field at times over his college career, including the first few weeks of the 2024 season.

Final Analysis

J.J. Wetherholt is a mature, potential 5-tool prospect, battling with Travis Bazzana to claim not only the title top infield prospect spot, but number one prospect in this year's draft class. His power-speed combination and solid glove make him a very desirable piece to any team. If he can stay healthy and keep increasing his numbers through the 2024 season, he will likely be a top 5 pick with an outside chance of being selected first overall.