As spring training gets underway in Jupiter, one of the biggest questions surrounding the St. Louis Cardinals isn’t about the veterans or the rotation-it’s about JJ Wetherholt, the club’s 2024 first-round pick and top infield prospect. Will the 21-year-old break camp with the big-league club, or will he start the season just down the road in Triple-A Memphis?

The Cardinals haven’t tipped their full hand yet, but they’ve certainly dropped some breadcrumbs. For starters, Wetherholt isn’t currently on the 40-man roster-but the team has already reserved a jersey number for him.

That may seem like a small gesture, but in baseball, details matter. That number-26-isn’t just a placeholder.

It’s a sign the organization sees him as a real Opening Day candidate.

President of baseball operations Chaim Bloom spoke about Wetherholt’s upcoming spring, and while he didn’t commit to a roster spot, he made it clear the team is watching closely. Last year, Wetherholt was invited to spring training more for the experience than the evaluation. This time around, it’s different.

“When we talk about looking at him in spring training, it’s not going to be about his stat line,” Bloom explained. “Especially for hitters, going off spring training results can be really misleading… When the games start counting, everything changes.”

Translation: the Cardinals aren’t going to get caught up in whether Wetherholt goes 4-for-4 or 0-for-10 in early March. They’re looking deeper-at how he handles big-league pitching, how he adjusts between at-bats, how he prepares, and how he fits defensively at second and third base.

That last point is crucial. With Brendan Donovan traded, there’s a clear opening in the infield.

Whether it’s the hot corner or the keystone, Wetherholt has a legitimate shot to claim a starting role.

According to team officials, his development at both positions is under the microscope this spring. The ability to handle multiple spots gives him a much better chance of cracking the roster-especially if the bat plays the way it did last year in the minors.

Even though Wetherholt isn’t on the 40-man roster yet, the Cardinals have already taken the first step toward making room. Reserving No. 26 for him is a subtle but telling move.

That number has history in St. Louis-most recently worn by Luken Baker, and before that by names like Trevor Rosenthal, Scott Spiezio, Eli Marrero, and Ed Spiezio.

It’s not just a number-it’s a nod to the club’s past and a setup for the future.

For now, Wetherholt will wear No. 77 in camp, but everyone inside the organization knows what number is waiting for him. And if he performs the way the Cardinals hope he can, that No. 26 jersey could be part of the Opening Day parade, right alongside the Clydesdales and the red convertibles at Busch Stadium.

There’s also a potential bonus in play. If Wetherholt starts the year on the roster and goes on to win Rookie of the Year, the Cardinals would earn an extra draft pick in 2027 under MLB’s prospect promotion incentives. That’s not the driving force behind the decision, but it’s certainly an added benefit.

Ultimately, it comes down to one thing: is JJ Wetherholt ready to make the leap? The Cardinals are watching closely, and fans are hoping to see their top prospect standing at second or third base when the season opens.

The tools are there. The opportunity is real.

Now it’s up to Wetherholt to seize it.