With Opening Day in sight, several prospects are set to hear whether they’ll make their team’s roster or go back to the Minors. Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II had been reassigned to St. Louis’ Minor League camp a few days ago. But after an injury to Dylan Carlson, Scott II will instead join the team’s Opening Day roster.
A Look at Scott
Just a few days, Cardinals outfielder Victor Scott II was reassigned to Minor League camp and likely poised to start in Memphis (AAA) after he hit .325 this spring for the Redbirds. However, an injury to Dylan Carlson changed that.
The fourth-ranked prospect in the Cardinals’ farm system by MLB.com, Scott II made a name for himself last season after a historic 94 stolen base campaign. The former fifth-round pick in 2022 also posted a .369 OBP between High-A and Double-A.
The speed tool was Scott’s premier asset coming out of college, not a shock given he stole 62 bases over 121 career games at West Virginia. It’s an asset that’s not only effective on the basepaths but also in the field.
Aside from the speed, Scott doesn’t have much power in his profile. He’s a shorter player but one with good bat control, won’t look to do too much with pitches on the outer half, and has a knack for keeping the hands in and the bat in the zone for an extended period. But at the same token, he does have the ability to roast mistakes in the zone, as well.
Scott II is set to assume center field for Dylan Carlson, who was set to man center for St. Louis after a strong spring. However, a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder after a collision with Jordan Walker will push him to the IL.
Analysis
It was a perfect storm for Scott II this spring, as injuries to Lars Nootbaar, Tommy Edman, and Dylan Carlson — all of whom will open up 2024 on the IL — opened up a path for the 23-year-old to crack the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster.
Scott II could profile as a top-of-the-order bat, thanks to his ability to get on base (9.2% career BB% in MiLB) and plus-plus speed. Not to mention, that speed should be a major asset in center field.
But, Scott II may be the wrong end of the numbers game once the trio of aforementioned players is set to return.
Fantasy Impact
Stolen bases are not easy to come by in fantasy baseball. Last season, A’s outfielder Estuery Ruiz made an immediate fantasy impact on stolen bases alone and Scott II could do the same.
He’s worth a stash in deeper leagues, or even 10-team leagues for those in need of an outfielder. However, be forewarned that his time in the Majors may not last long.