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32. JJ Wetherholt, 2B, St. Louis Cardinals
What he's done so far: Pacing NL rookies with over 4.0 WAR, in a commanding lead for NL Rookie of the Year after opening the season as the seventh-best prospect in baseball. Wetherholt's sales pitch was being well-rounded and polished -- and that's what he has delivered, including a borderline shocking double-digit positive defensive showing at second base that makes up for some of his bad ball-in-play luck at the plate.
What to expect from here: Wetherholt wasn't higher ranking because his physical tools and stature are good, not great: average-or-so speed and power at a listed 5-foot-9, 190 pounds. That said, his hit tool, pitch selection and feel for getting to his power, speed and defensive ability on the field are excellent, and they show us what his ceiling will look like, even at the traditional pre-peak age of 23 years old. Wetherholt and Kevin McGonigle now join a group of modern short-but-polished-and-optimized All-Star infielders that includes Jose Altuve, Mookie Betts, Dustin Pedroia and others. -- McDaniel
45. Jordan Walker, RF, St. Louis Cardinals
What he's done so far: The industry knock on Walker coming into this year was that he didn't take instruction, and that the once-touted prospect was too slow to make adjustments. But he has buried a lot of that reputation with a breakout season in 2026, with an OPS+ of 133, 83 RBIs, 23 home runs and 3.3 bWAR. The first-time All-Star also demonstrated a whole lot of moxie by staring down the Philadelphia crowd and winning the Home Run Derby last month.
What to expect from here: With his Cardinals at just a 6.5% chance of making the playoffs, Walker will focus on finishing strong. The performance question that looms over him now is whether he can affect more discipline in his approach and improve his 3-to-1 strikeout to walk ratio. -- Olney
