Growing up in Ashtabula, Ohio, Mike Wetherholt never imagined that a dream as big as playing in the Major Leagues could belong to someone in his family. But now, watching his son JJ Wetherholt rise through the ranks of professional baseball, that belief has changed. JJ, who recently played in the All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta, was a first-round draft pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in 2024. After starting the season in Double-A Springfield, he was promoted to Triple-A Memphis, bringing him one step closer to fulfilling a lifelong dream.
Mike raised JJ in Mars, Pennsylvania, just outside Pittsburgh. As a former athlete himself, he recognized his son’s talent early on but was cautious about expectations. JJ was small for his age and often overlooked, but Mike continued to encourage him with the words, “Just keep plugging away.” That perseverance paid off. JJ’s breakout moment came before high school, when he attended a Kent State baseball camp and was immediately placed in a lineup with college-bound players, catching the attention of coaches.
What started as a hopeful path to Kent State soon took an even bigger turn. West Virginia University (WVU) came calling, telling Mike that his son had the potential to compete in a Power Five Conference. It was a level of opportunity the Wetherholts had never dared to imagine. Having grown up with modest expectations and backgrounds in Division II sports, the family suddenly realized that JJ’s potential might open doors they never thought were meant for them. “We were like, ‘Why not him?’” Mike recalled. JJ eventually committed to WVU and never looked back.
In 2024, the St. Louis Cardinals made JJ Wetherholt the seventh overall pick in the MLB Draft, the highest draft pick in West Virginia University history. The experience was surreal for the Wetherholt family, who got to witness the draft firsthand and enjoy events like the Futures Game and the All-Star festivities. Mike described the moment as unforgettable, saying, “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” But what stood out even more to him were the small moments, like
