Victor Scott
Victor Dwanyne Scott II
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 5' 10", Weight 190 lb.
- School West Virginia University
- High School McEachern High School
- Debut March 28, 2024
- Born February 12, 2001 in Atlanta, GA USA
Biographical Information[edit]
Outfielder Victor Scott had earned comparisons to Mookie Betts while playing in the minor leagues. Like the former MVP, he is on the short side for an outfielder, but compensates with outstanding speed and defensive prowess in centerfield. He is also sometimes called Victor Scott II.
He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 5th round of the 2022 amateur draft, out of the West Virginia University. By his own reckoning, when he went to college, he was more a sprinter who played baseball, but turned himself into a complete player over the next few years. He hit .278 in 55 games as a junior in 2022 after starring the previous summer in the Northwoods League. After the draft, the Cardinals sent him to the Palm Beach Cardinals in the Florida State League, where he hit .222 in 31 games.
He had a breakout season in 2023, quickly rising up the major league prospect ranks. He started off in the Midwest League withe the Peoria Chiefs, where he hit .282 in 66 games. He was named to play in the 2023 Futures Game then was promoted to the Springfield Cardinals of the AA Texas League where he did even better, batting .323 in another 66 games. Between the two stops, he stole 94 bases, getting caught just 14 times, as he took full advantage of rules regarding stolen bases being loosened around baseball. He scored 95 runs and drove in 63 in 132 games, with 20 doubles, 10 triples and 9 homers, showing developing power. He was a Midwest League postseason All-Star, an organizational All-Star, and a minor league Gold Glove winner. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League, where he stole 18 bases in 23 games and appeared in the circuit's All-Star Game.
He was one of the big stories in spring training for the Cardinals in 2024, as this was the first extended opportunity for reporters covering the team to take in his outstanding athletic abilities. Still, he was slated to begin the season in the minor leagues until the last day of camp, when an outfield collision between Dylan Carlson and Jordan Walker put Carlson on the sidelines, where he joined two other injured outfielders in Lars Nootbaar and Tommy Edman. It was the opening Victor needed to make the Opening Day roster, and to be penciled in as the starter in center field for the team's first regular season game. That happened on Opening Day, March 28th, against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, when he batted eighth and started in center. He went 0 for 3 in a 7-1 loss.
Both of his parents were track and field athletes in college, with his father being named to his school's athletic Hall of Fame.
Further Reading[edit]
- John Denton: "'Mookie Betts of the Cardinals'? Prospect Scott has that vibe", mlb.com, January 14, 2024. [1]
- John Denton: "Speedy Scott on fast track to fly with Cards", mlb.com, February 29, 2024. [2]
- John Denton: "Scott's speed to be on display in Spring Breakout", mlb.com, March 14, 2024. [3]
- John Denton: "Carlson injury paves way for Scott to start in center on Opening Day: Cardinals' No. 4 prospect is slated to make his Major League debut at Dodger Stadium", mlb.com, March 26, 2024. [4]
- Matt Monagan: "How two of baseball's fastest friends are bringing speed back: Outrunning cars, driving defenses crazy and the race to 100 bags", mlb.com, February 19, 2024. [5]
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