WVU's JJ Wetherholt Becomes Highest MLB Draf Pick in Mountaineer History as He Goes 7th to Cardinals
By Connect-Bridgeport Staff on July 15, 2024
West Virginia University standout shortstop JJ Wetherholt was selected No. 7 overall in the 2024 MLB Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Wetherholt is the highest draft pick in the WVU baseball history, surpassing the mark set by former Mountaineer pitchers Chris Enochs and Alek Manoah who each went No. 11 in 1997 and 2019, respectively. Overall, he is the fourth Mountaineer to be taken in the first round.
In 145 games with West Virginia, Wetherholt, hit .370 with 206 hits, 29 home runs, 49 doubles, 148 runs scored, 129 RBI, and 57 stolen 
bases, ranking in the top 20 in program history in each of those statistical categories.
bases, ranking in the top 20 in program history in each of those statistical categories.
Wetherholt was an eight-time All-American with the Mountaineers, which included being a unanimous First Team All-American as a sophomore in 2023 after leading the nation with a .449 batting average while tallying 16 home runs, 24 doubles, 60 RBI, 67 runs scored, and 36 stolen bases. His batting average was the highest by a power five player since Buster Posey in 2008 and he was also the first player since 2002 to have at least 40 extra-base hits and 35 stolen bases.
In 2023, the Mars, Pennsylvania native also became the first player in WVU history to be named the Big 12 Player of the Year as he helped lead the Mountaineers to their first Big 12 title. Wetherholt also became the first Mountaineer to be named a College Sports Communicators First Team Academic All-American since 2005 as well as a Dick Howser Trophy finalist and Golden Spikes Award semifinalist.
Despite missing 24 games as a junior, Wetherholt was still named to the All-Big 12 First Team for the second year in a row and was a Perfect Game All-American as he helped lead WVU to the NCAA Tucson Regional championship and a berth in its first NCAA Super Regional in program history.
The Cardinals organization now features two former Mountaineers as Victor Scott II is the third-ranked prospect in their system after being drafted in the fifth round in 2022 and made his major league debut earlier this season.
Editor's Note: Photo of JJ Wetherholt courtesy of WVU Athletics.
