JJ Wetherholt 2024 MLB Draft: Top 5 landing spots for West Virginia star ft. Cleveland Guardians

As the 2024 MLB Draft moves closer, there are a few names at the top of the draft class who could be taken first overall by the Cleveland Guardians. One of those names is West Virginia infielder JJ Wetherholt, who overcame an early season injury to solidify his ranking among this year's best draft prospects.

Other than the Guardians, an argument could be made that almost every team in the MLB could use a talent like Wetherholt. A five-tool player who excels both offensively and defensively, the Mountaineer could rise quickly through the minors and help his prospective team as soon as this season.

Even if a team is struggling (like the Colorado Rockies or Chicago White Sox, both of whom will be discussed below), Wetherholt should make an impact sooner rather than later. However, we will start with the team that holds the top overall pick in the Guardians.

Wetherholt to Guardians incoming?

Cleveland is back in contention, as the team leads the AL Central with a 54-31 record. If the season ended today, they would be back in the postseason. First-year manager Stephen Vogt's leadership, along with the play of several players, most notably perennial All-Star third baseman Jose Ramirez, has put the Guardians back in the hunt.

So, it would make sense to use the first overall pick on a player who has a greater chance at helping the club in both the short and long term, right? Wetherholt hits those check marks and then some.

Long-time prospect Brayan Rocchio so far has not made the impact that the club has hoped for, hitting only .211 despite having the majority of the playing time at shortstop. Would Wetherholt be able to make it through the Guardians' minor league system in time to help the team by this season's stretch run? It's possible, and it is a risk that Cleveland's front office might take come July 14.

Wetherholt-Athletics pairing could spark franchise

The Oakland Athletics are, well... they are not in the best place right now. The team is playing its final season in the Bay Area and will move to Sacramento next season. The A's will play in California's state capitol for three seasons before making a move to Las Vegas, which could be the club's long-term home.

Picking fourth overall in this season's draft, the A's could be in a position to take Wetherholt. Although he could help the Cincinnati Reds and Colorado Rockies (who pick second and third, respectively), the need for a shortstop is much bigger for Oakland.

Max Schuemann is the team's primary shortstop, but like Rocchio for the Guardians, he has largely struggled in the full-time role during his first season. He's hitting only .227 so far, in contrast to Wetherholt's .331 batting average during his abridged final season in Morgantown. Although no one is saying his average will be that high in the majors, the odds are more in his favor than Schuemann's.

White Sox in need of long-term shortstop

Another one of the major league's worst teams this season, the team from Chicago's South Side needs a boost in talent. Shortstop Paul DeJong leads the team in home runs with 16, but he runs hot and cold at the plate and is only signed to a one-year contract with the team.

The White Sox might be at the beginning of a long-term rebuild under general manager Chris Getz, so acquiring talent for now and the future must be priority No. 1. As discussed above, Wetherholt has the skill set to be fast-tracked to the majors as long as he can handle it development-wise.

With numerous potential trades involving current MLB players such as outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and starting pitcher Garrett Crochet, adding a player like Wetherholt would give the team a better long-term outlook. Taking him fifth overall? That decision might be one of the biggest steals in a draft that could be filled with gems.

Cards could use Wetherholt for potential march back to October

Masyn Winn looks like he could be a long-term piece for the Cardinals, hitting .294 with four home runs and 29 RBIs so far this season. He's also been providing excellent defense for the team, as it looks as though he's finally broken through at major league level.

However, that shouldn't stop the front office, led by president of baseball operations John Mozeliak, from targeting Wetherholt if he's available. After all, shortstop is considered one of the most difficult defensive positions, and the West Virginia standout could move to another position such as second or third base.

St. Louis has a couple of solid starters at those positions in Nolan Gorman and Nolan Arenado (second and third base, respectively), but both players have their flaws. They could each be playing elsewhere in the next three to five years, so the former WVU man could be a fit with the Cards now and in the future.

Could Wetherholt be next long-term piece for Angels?

Zach Neto is having a decent first season as the primary shortstop in Anaheim, hitting .247 with 11 home runs and 38 RBIs. As a former first-round pick, the tendency is to give him more time to prove himself, and it seems as if Angels leadership, such as manager Ron Washington, are willing to do just that.

However, like other teams at the bottom of the standings, the Angels need both immediate and long-term talent. So, targeting a player like the former Moutaineer and deciding where he will fit in later seems like a good plan. He's a player with the versatility to play in different places and bat almost anywhere in the lineup.

The Angels lost generational talent Shohei Ohtani to the crosstown-rival Dodgers last offseason, and franchise icon Mike Trout is once again battling injury problems. If the franchise wants to win a title during Trout's career, adding players like Wetherholt will help.