Cardinals Shine: JJ Wetherholt's Rookie Surge in MLB News

Segment Spotlight: Quick Hits From MLB Pro Baseball Today

Cardinals' Surprising Performance and Rookie Standout JJ Weatherhold

The St. Louis Cardinals, 2013 National League Central winners, are currently on a six-game winning streak, having defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers again on a recent Saturday night. The game heated up in the ninth inning, adding to the excitement. A significant contribution to the Cardinals' unexpected success this season comes from rookie JJ Weatherhold, who has quickly become a key player. Starting the season with potential for Rookie of the Year, Weatherhold faced some challenges but has impressively bounced back.

Currently, Weatherhold has hit seven home runs and amassed 16 RBIs. His increasing number of plate appearances significantly boosts his Rookie of the Year candidacy, outpacing peers like Connor Griffin. Batting first for the Cardinals, Weatherhold is expected to maintain, if not increase, his visibility and impact. This strategic move by manager Ali Marmol appears to be paying off, despite pre-season expectations that the Cardinals would underperform to secure a high draft pick due to a perceived weaker roster lacking stars like Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina.

The Cardinals have defied these forecasts, showcasing strong play and placing themselves in a much better position early in the season than anticipated. For those keeping an eye on awards like Rookie of the Year, Weatherhold's frequent plate appearances mean more opportunities to hit home runs and get on base, making him a strong contender as the season progresses.