Cardinals rising star JJ Wetherholt also shines in chess and fishing
By Joey Schneider
Published on March 11, 2026.
St. Louis Cardinals' top prospect, JJ Wetherholt, is also a skilled chess player and an avid fisherman. He has been playing chess since middle school and has been fishing with Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott. At 23 years old, he is ranked by MLB Pipeline as baseball's fifth-best prospect ahead of the 2026 season. Despite being drafted and developed primarily as a shortstop, he has a realistic chance to win the Cardinals’ starting job at second base for Opening Day following offseason trades of Nolan Arenado and Brendan Donovan. Wetherholmt describes himself as a hitter who focuses on balance, discipline, situational awareness and an all-fields hitting approach.
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