What happened: St. Louis Cardinals second baseman JJ Wetherholt has claimed the #1 position in MLB's latest National League Rookie of the Year poll. The former first-round pick unseated previous favorites after a consistent start to the 2026 season that has seen him become a fixture at the top of the Cardinals' order.
Why it matters: Wetherholt's surge is driven by elite plate discipline and a .358 on-base percentage that leads all qualified National League rookies. His 2.5 fWAR and defensive range at second base have made him the most valuable rookie in the NL through the first third of the season, helping keep the same St. Louis squad within striking distance of the division lead.
By the numbers: Wetherholt leads NL rookies in Runs (40) and WAR (2.5) through 58 games. He ranks first in OBP (.358) and second in Home Runs (9) among his peers. Detroit's Kevin McGonigle currently leads the American League poll with a .394 OBP and 3.4 bWAR.
What to watch: Wetherholt and the Cardinals look to maintain their momentum as the mid-season All-Star voting window approaches.