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The Baseball Writers’ Association of America named Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt one of three finalists for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year Award. He led NL rookie position players in Wins Above Replacement, with his defensive metrics standing out; the winner is scheduled to be announced Nov. 9.
Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt is one of three finalists for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year Award, the Baseball Writers’ Association of America announced. Wetherholt’s first major league season featured 17 home runs and strong defensive results, and the award winner is scheduled to be revealed on MLB Network at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 9.
Wetherholt joins Mets outfielder Carson Benge and Reds first baseman Sal Stewart on the finalist list. The finalist designation puts the 24-year-old in contention for the league’s top rookie honor after he opened the season on St. Louis’ roster as its starting second baseman.
He finished with a .242/.339/.365 batting line, 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts. MLB’s report said he ranked at or above the 75th percentile among qualified hitters in several Statcast measures, including expected weighted on-base average, hard-hit rate, chase rate, whiff rate and strikeout rate. Those measures describe different parts of his offensive performance; they do not change his recorded batting line.
His strongest reported contribution came on defense. Statcast credited Wetherholt with +23 fielding run value, the highest total among major league second basemen and second-highest among all players, behind Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong’s +26. Wetherholt also recorded +25 outs above average. FanGraphs and Baseball-Reference figures cited by MLB put his Wins Above Replacement at 4.6 and 4.5, respectively, the highest among NL rookie position players.
A Defensive Case for the Award
The finalist nod recognizes a debut whose value, according to the metrics cited in MLB’s report, extended beyond home runs and batting average. Wetherholt’s defensive totals at second base were particularly strong, while his baserunning and plate-discipline measures added to his overall profile. The range of contributions helps explain why he led NL rookie position players in WAR under both cited systems, even with a .242 batting average.
For St. Louis, the nomination gives a prominent marker of progress from a player the organization has treated as a central part of its future. The Cardinals signed Wetherholt to an eight-year, $112.5 million extension just before the All-Star break, according to MLB. That contract reflects the club’s confidence in him, but it is separate from the BBWAA award decision, which will be announced later.
A win would also carry historical significance for the franchise. MLB reported that the Cardinals have not had an NL Rookie of the Year since Albert Pujols in 2001. Wetherholt would be only the third second baseman to win the award in the past 44 years, following Steve Sax in 1982 and Jonathan India in 2021.
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From Draft Pick to Opening Day
The Cardinals selected Wetherholt seventh overall in the 2024 MLB Draft out of West Virginia University. Before his major league debut, he played 138 minor league games, according to MLB’s report. In 2025, his first full professional season, he hit .306/.421/.510 with 17 homers and 23 steals over 109 games across Double-A and Triple-A.
MLB Pipeline ranked him as the Cardinals’ No. 1 prospect and baseball’s No. 5 prospect entering 2026. He then made the major league club’s Opening Day roster as its starting second baseman. The quick rise from the minors set expectations for his debut, while the finalist selection now reflects his production over the season rather than prospect status alone.
Cardinals president of baseball operations Chaim Bloom praised Wetherholt’s approach as well as his on-field performance. “I think his play speaks for itself,” Bloom said, adding that Wetherholt’s preparation, learning, desire to improve and concern for winning were also reasons the club was excited about him. Bloom’s comments describe the organization’s view of the player; the award itself is determined by the BBWAA.
“What you might not get to see as much is who he is, how he works, how he prepares, how he learns, how much he wants to be great, how much he cares about winning.”
— Chaim Bloom
Award Outcome Still Pending
The finalist announcement does not identify a winner, and the supplied report does not give the vote totals or ranking among the three candidates. It is therefore not yet known whether Wetherholt, Benge or Stewart will receive the award. The statistical comparisons also describe performance under specific systems and should not be treated as a substitute for the voters’ decision.
The source report provides Wetherholt’s season statistics and the scheduled announcement time, but does not include full season lines for Benge or Stewart. A direct comparison of all three finalists’ production cannot be made from the information available here. The announcement date is stated as Nov. 9; the source does not specify a year for that date beyond identifying the award as the 2026 honor.
Winner to Be Announced Nov. 9
MLB Network is scheduled to announce the NL Rookie of the Year winner at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 9. Wetherholt’s finalist status is confirmed, but the award outcome remains pending until that announcement. If he wins, he would become the Cardinals’ first recipient since Pujols in 2001 and the third second baseman to claim the honor in the past 44 years, according to MLB.
Until the result is released, the confirmed development is the three-player finalist selection. Further detail about the voting or the candidates’ relative support is not included in the source report.
Key Questions
Who are the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year finalists?
The finalists are JJ Wetherholt of the Cardinals, Carson Benge of the Mets and Sal Stewart of the Reds.
When will the winner be announced?
MLB Network is scheduled to announce the winner at 6 p.m. CT on Nov. 9, according to MLB’s report.
What were Wetherholt’s main rookie-season numbers?
He recorded a .242/.339/.365 slash line, 17 home runs and 14 stolen bases in 15 attempts. MLB also cited his +23 fielding run value and +25 outs above average.
Has a Cardinals player won the award recently?
MLB reported that the Cardinals’ most recent NL Rookie of the Year was Albert Pujols in 2001. Whether Wetherholt will end that wait depends on the forthcoming vote result.
Source: mlb.com
