Victor Scott II's proficiency in all three facets, fueling a surge with the Cardinals.
Livin' Large in the Outfield:
Victor Scott II, St. Louis Cardinals' promising center fielder, is turning heads this season with his significant improvements in every facet of his game. The hype for this guy might have been premature last season, but he's making a compelling case for a long-term gig in the heart of the Cardinals' outfield.
Last year, Scott stumbled in every department. His offensive woes, although expected to some extent for a rookie, were a letdown. But it was his defensive and baserunning shortcomings that truly raised eyebrows. His on-field performance was underwhelming, posting a dismal 40 wRC+ with lackluster defensive and base-stealing skills.
Fast forward to 2025, Scott is reminding everyone why he was touted as a potential star. Take a look at his offensive statistics: a 119 wRC+ to kick off the season. I wasn't optimistic about Scott touching even slightly below league-average hitting capabilities this year, but this surpasses expectations.
What's powering Scott's unexpected offensive prowess? His walk rate has skyrocketed from 3.9% in 2024 to 10.1% this season. He's also trimmed down his strikeout percentage to 24.4% and enhanced his ISO, registering a .133 so far.
The power revamp isn't the only factor at play. Scott is now attacking baseballs with an optimal angle, ranking in the 88th percentile in LA Sweet-Spot% (41%) compared to most in the league. He's also forcing pitchers to feed him hittable pitches, placing himself amongst the top hitters in terms of Chase% (23.8%).
Defensively, Scott has elevated his game to become one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball, ranking in the 99th percentile in OAA (6). His arm strength has gained a substantial boost, adding over three miles per hour. Scott is also tied for fourth amongst center fielders in fielding run value (4). His progress with jumps (ranked 34th in baseball last season, now seventh this year) has been a major factor in his ability to grab more fly balls.
Speed is still Scott's best weapon, and he's not shy about using it. Scott's 11 stolen bases this season are tied for fifth in all of baseball, with only one other player boasting more than 10 stolen bases without being caught once. The ability to nab bases effortlessly and keep opposing pitchers on their toes has added a whole new dimension to the Cardinals' batting order.
The Cardinals have a history of struggling to maintain a consistent outfield unit for years. Lars Nootbaar has secured his spot as the team's left fielder of the future, and it seems Scott is well on his way to claiming the center field position for the long haul. The early returns on this guy are looking pretty good, and I wouldn't mind hopping aboard the Scott hype train.
Scott's defensive improvement places him among the top defensive center fielders in Major League Baseball (MLB), ranked in the 99th percentile in Outs Above Average (OAA).
Victor Scott II's speed remains his strongest asset, with 11 stolen bases this season, tying him for fifth in baseball, and boasting a perfect success rate in stealing bases.
In 2025, Scott's offensive wRC+ stands at 119, surpassing expectations, while his walk rate has significantly increased from 3.9% in 2024 to 10.1% this season.
Scott, the St. Louis Cardinals' promising center fielder, is showcasing a power revamp, having enhanced his ISO and LA Sweet-Spot% (41%), positioning him among top hitters in terms of Chase%.
