What happened: The Cardinals kicked off the first round of 2026 MLB All-Star voting with a campaign urging fans to send JJ Wetherholt to the Midsummer Classic. The team is directing supporters to the league ballot as phase-one voting opens across the majors.

Why it matters: An All-Star nod would mark a milestone in Wetherholt's first full big-league campaign. He is the same JJ Wetherholt who took over the top spot in the latest NL Rookie of the Year poll, and a starting bid would put a rookie at the center of St. Louis's promotional push. Fan-driven campaigns like this have become a league-wide ritual, with several clubs rallying behind their own candidates.

What to watch: Watch whether Wetherholt's name gains traction as first-round totals are updated and the field narrows toward the starter ballot.