ST. LOUIS, Mo. (Matrix Midwest) - St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt has been named one of three finalists for the 2026 National League Rookie of the Year Award.
He is joined by New York Mets outfielder Carson Benge and Cincinnati Reds first baseman Sal Stewart as finalists for the award.
If selected, Wetherholt would become the first Cardinal to capture the award since Albert Pujols in 2001, and just the third second baseman across Major League Baseball to win NL Rookie of the Year in the past 44 seasons.
The 24-year-old led all National League rookie position players in Wins Above Replacement (4.6 fWAR / 4.5 bWAR).
He contributed 17 home runs, 14 stolen bases, and elite plate discipline (ranking in the 94th percentile in chase rate),
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His fielding, however, made the biggest impact.
JJ’s +23 Fielding Run Value was the highest among MLB second basemen and second in all of baseball, trailing only Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong (+26). He also posted a +25 Outs Above Average, which is in the elite range.
Prior to the All-Star break, the Cardinals solidified Wetherholt’s long-term future in St. Louis by signing him to an eight-year, $112.5 million contract extension.
The winner of the 2026 NL Rookie of the Year award will be revealed on Monday, Nov. 9.
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