How JJ Wetherholt's second base defense with Cardinals is even better than you think

St. Louis Cardinals rookie second baseman JJ Wetherholt is already one of the top defensive players in the Majors. 

Not just as an infielder. One of the top defensive players. 

In addition to his solid season at the plate (17 HR, .341 OBP, 104 OPS+), the 24-year-old is impressing fans with his glove work. 

But for as impressed as you are with Wetherholt's defense at second base, the numbers tell a story that he is as elite as a defender can be. 

"Per Statcast, Wetherholt has a Fielding Run Value of 21 and an Outs Above Average rating of 22. He's second to Pete Crow-Armstrong in the former and trails only PCA and Bobby Witt Jr. in the latter," Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller wrote. 

That's not all. 

Wetherholt hasn't made an error in months. 

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"In 527 chances, this middle infielder has committed just two errors—both in the first two weeks of the season. He's a perfect 467-for-467 since April 11, which is kind of ludicrous," Miller added. 

The NL Rookie of the Year Award voting is likely to come down to Wetherholt and Cincinnati Reds 1b/3B Sal Stewart. 

Stewart may have the edge thanks to 32 home runs and 109 RBIs, but the race might've been closer if it weren't for Wetherholt's wrist tendinitis that sent him to the IL in August. 

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