(AP Photo/Scott Kane)
The St. Louis Cardinals’ centerfielder Victor Scott II has had an impressive start to the 2025 season. Scott’s dynamic presence is reminiscent of the Whitey-ball era. Known for his blazing speed on the basepaths and Gold Glove-caliber defense in centerfield, the young outfielder is an exciting addition to the Cardinals’ starting line-up. He started his career with a rapid rise through the minors but struggled in his initial taste of the big leagues. However, he has shown encouraging signs of development, which shows his willingness to work and an ability to make adjustments.
Scott’s Skillset Catches Cardinals’ Attention
Born February 12, 2001, in Atlanta, Georgia, Scott honed his skills at McEachern High School in Powder Springs before taking his talents to West Virginia University. Playing for the Mountaineers, Scott began showcasing the tools that would eventually entice major league scouts. While his overall collegiate batting average (.254 across three seasons) wasn’t eye-popping, his impact was undeniable. In his final season, he set the WVU single-season record with 38 stolen bases, a figure that ranked sixth in all of NCAA Division I baseball. This base-stealing prowess, coupled with his defensive potential, put him firmly on the radar for the upcoming MLB draft.
St. Louis recognized the value of Scott’s elite speed and defensive skills and selected him in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He was assigned to the Single-A Palm Beach Cardinals later that summer, where he got his first taste of professional baseball, hitting .222 but flashing his speed with 13 steals in just 31 games.
Meteoric Rise in 2023
It was the 2023 season, however, where Scott truly broke out as a premier prospect. Beginning the year with the High-A Peoria Chiefs, he quickly proved too advanced for the level. In 66 games, he hit .282 and swiped an astonishing 50 bases. His performance earned him a promotion in June to the Double-A Springfield Cardinals.
Undaunted by the jump, Scott continued to impress, batting .323 with 44 more steals in another 66 games at the higher level. His combined 2023 stat line was impressive. He put up a .303 batting average with a .369 on-base percentage. Additionally, he added ten triples, nine home runs, 63 RBIs, and a staggering 94 stolen bases in 132 games between the two levels. His 166 hits ranked second across all of Minor League Baseball. This breakout campaign earned him recognition as the Cardinals’ representative at the prestigious All-Star Futures Game and culminated in him winning a Minor League Rawlings Gold Glove Award, cementing his status as one of the best defensive players outside the majors.
Scott Impresses at Spring Training
Heading into 2024, Scott received a non-roster invitation to Cardinals Spring Training. Opportunity knocked unexpectedly when presumed starting center fielder Dylan Carlson suffered a shoulder injury late in camp. The Cardinals, showing faith in their rapidly ascending prospect, made the bold move to name Scott the Opening Day starting center fielder. On March 28, 2024, Victor Scott II made his MLB debut against the Los Angeles Dodgers, becoming the first Cardinal since 1957 to debut as an Opening Day starter in centerfield.
However, the transition to major league pitching proved challenging. Scott’s primary tool , his elite speed, relies on getting on base, and big-league pitchers were reluctant to give him free passes, attacking the strike zone aggressively. Scott struggled offensively, batting just .085 (5-for-65) through his first few weeks. Recognizing the need for further development, the Cardinals optioned him to Triple-A Memphis on April 21st, a level he had bypassed during his rapid ascent in 2023. Scott spent significant time in Memphis, punctuated by brief recalls to the majors later in the 2024 season, gaining valuable experience.
Game-Changing Tools
Scott’s profile is built upon truly elite, game-changing tools. His speed is graded as top-of-the-scale (80-grade on the 20-80 scouting scale), making him a constant threat on the bases and allowing him to cover immense ground in the outfield. His sprint speed, thirty feet per second, consistently ranks among the fastest players in MLB. Defensively, he possesses instincts, range, and arm strength (ranking in the 80th percentile for outfield arm strength) that project him as a perennial Gold Glove contender. His Outs Above Average consistently places him in the upper echelon (96th percentile) of MLB defenders. Frequently, he makes highlight reel catches, turning potential extra-base hits into outs.
The primary question surrounding Scott has always been his bat. His initial MLB struggles in 2024 seemed to confirm these concerns. Pitchers exploited his approach, challenging him in the zone, resulting in a low walk rate as he rarely worked deep counts.
Encouraging Adjustments
However, baseball is a game of adjustments. Following a strong 2025 Spring Training where he hit .349 with power (.451 OBP), Scott once again earned the starting center field job for the Cardinals. Early indications in the 2025 season suggest significant offensive strides. A FanGraphs analysis highlighted a marked improvement in his plate discipline. Scott is getting ahead in counts far more frequently and reaching two-ball counts more often. This has resulted in more favorable hitting situations, an increased walk rate, and a lower strikeout rate compared to his initial stint.
As of early May, Scott is hitting .271 with a .336 OBP and .406 SLG through 108 plate appearances. He has chipped in two home runs, 14 RBIs, and is a perfect 10-for-10 in stolen base attempts. Recent games showcased this progress, including an RBI single and a three-run home run on April 30th against Cincinnati. While some underlying metrics, like a potentially unsustainable line drive rate, raise questions about long-term consistency, the positive changes in approach and results are undeniable. He appears to be making better decisions at the plate.
Primarily hitting near the bottom of the Cardinals’ lineup, Scott’s improved on-base skills are making his speed an even greater weapon. A walk or a single quickly turns into a runner in scoring position. His defense remains stellar, providing crucial stability up the middle. While he may never be a middle-of-the-order slugger, his 2025 performance suggests a path to becoming a valuable offensive contributor, complementing his already elite defensive and baserunning profile.
Scott Provides Excitement and Energy
Scott represents a jolt of energy and a unique skill set for the Cardinals. His journey from a fifth-round pick to starting centerfielder has been fun to watch. If the adjustments he’s shown early in the 2025 season prove sustainable, the Cardinals may have found their long-term answer in center. A dynamic, game-changing player whose speed electrifies the basepaths and jaw-dropping defense that is always appreciated by Cardinal fans.
