The St. Louis Cardinals recognized one of their brightest young players before Friday night's series opener against the Colorado Rockies.
The club announced that rookie infielder JJ Wetherholt has been selected as the Cardinals' 2026 Heart and Hustle Award winner. The Cardinals shared the news on their official X account ahead of first pitch at Busch Stadium.
St. Louis enters the weekend at 57-58, sitting third in the National League Central. The Cardinals trail the division-leading Milwaukee Brewers by 15 games and remain behind the Chicago Cubs as they look to gain ground over the final weeks of the regular season.
Presented annually by the Major League Baseball Players Alumni Association, the Heart and Hustle Award honors one player from each of the 30 clubs who best demonstrates a passion for baseball while embodying the values, spirit and traditions of the game.
Wetherholt now becomes the Cardinals' nominee for the overall Heart and Hustle Award, which will be presented later this season.
The rookie has backed up that recognition with an impressive first full season in the majors. Through 109 games, Wetherholt is batting .248 with 16 home runs, 43 RBIs and 12 stolen bases while establishing himself as a fixture in the Cardinals' infield.
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Primarily playing second base, the former West Virginia standout has also earned praise for his defensive versatility and high-energy style of play, traits that helped him stand out during the Heart and Hustle voting process.
Wetherholt's emergence has come after overcoming a significant hamstring injury during his final collegiate season. His ability to stay healthy while making an immediate impact has given the Cardinals another cornerstone as they continue building around their young core. While St. Louis faces an uphill climb in the National League Central standings, the rookie's latest honor reflects the type of foundation the organization hopes will carry it forward.
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