As spring training inches closer, all eyes in St. Louis are on JJ Wetherholt - the Cardinals’ top prospect and a name that’s been buzzing all offseason.
Fans are eager to see what the talented infielder can do in camp, and whether he can make a serious push for the Opening Day roster. But for a moment, there was some uncertainty about where exactly Wetherholt would be spending his spring.
There had been chatter that Wetherholt might suit up for Team Korea in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. Given his Korean heritage, it wasn’t out of the question - and the idea of him getting high-level reps on an international stage certainly raised eyebrows. But during the Cardinals’ Winter Warm-Up event, Wetherholt put the speculation to rest with a candid - and hilarious - response.
“It is not,” Wetherholt said when asked if he’d be playing for Korea. “Unfortunately, I am not Korean enough.”
The room erupted in laughter, but there’s a real explanation behind the quip. Wetherholt shared that to be eligible for Team Korea, a player needs to have a parent who is a Korean citizen. While his grandmother is Korean, his father doesn’t hold Korean citizenship - and that, by the rules, disqualifies him from representing the country on the international stage.
He joked that maybe his dad could apply for citizenship down the line, but that’s not happening this year. Still, there’s a deeper layer to this for Wetherholt.
He mentioned that playing for Korea has always been a dream of his, especially with his grandmother getting older. It’s a meaningful connection, and one he hopes to honor at some point in his career - just not in this year’s WBC.
From a Cardinals perspective, this probably works out just fine. Wetherholt staying in camp means more time to get acclimated, more reps with the big-league coaching staff, and a better shot at cracking the Opening Day roster.
Of course, there’s a case to be made that the World Baseball Classic - with its playoff-like intensity and elite competition - could’ve provided valuable experience. But there’s no substitute for showing what you can do in front of your own organization.
Now, the focus shifts fully to Wetherholt’s spring. He’s expected to be one of the most closely watched players in Jupiter, and for good reason.
The Cardinals are in a bit of a transitional phase, and they could use a jolt of young talent. Wetherholt, with his advanced bat and athleticism, might just be the spark they’re looking for.
So while he won’t be representing Korea this spring, he’ll still have plenty to play for. And if he can carry his offseason momentum into camp, don’t be surprised if JJ Wetherholt forces his way into the Opening Day conversation - Korean citizenship or not.