Fall League Scouting Report: St. Louis Cardinals’ Victor Scott II

St. Louis Cardinals prospect outfielder, Victor Scott II, is playing in the 2023 Arizona Fall League.

Scott II, 22, has opened eyes in the Fall League with his blazing speed.

Putting it mildly, Cardinals fans will love watching Victor Scott II play baseball.

His incredible, game-changing speed may be why MLB.com ranks him the No. 4 player among the Cardinals Top 30 Prospects.

The left-handed hitting Scott played at two levels this past season in the Cardinals development program.

Scott II played at Class-A Advanced Peoria, and at Double-A Springfield.

Combined, Scott II stole 94 bases in 108 attempts.

Scott’s speed is among the best this observer has seen in quite a while.

On a 20-80 Scouting Grade Scale, Scott’s speed registers a Grade 80, which is extremely rare.

Victor Scott II was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2022 Major League Baseball draft, out of West Virginia University.

Scott II played 121 collegiate games. In 497 plate appearances in three seasons, Scott stole 62 bases in 72 attempts.

The Cardinals gave Scott II a $350,400 signing bonus, which was the MLB value for his draft slot.

A member of an athletic family, Scott’s parents both ran track.

Victor Scott II is 5-10, 190 pounds. He has a solid frame, and he is likely to add more strength in the Cardinals training regimen.

Speed kills.

And speed kills in professional baseball.

Given new MLB rules, far more runs are being scored. And thanks to bigger bases, a limit on pitcher disengagements from the pitching rubber, and the pitch clock, far more bases are being stolen.

Scott II profiles as the type of player that will capitalize on the new rules, and exploit any weakness regarding base stealing he senses from the opposition.

In the Arizona Fall League, at the end of play November 7, Scott has stolen 18 Fall League bases. He has been caught stealing three times.

As a member of the National League Fall Stars team, Scott II stole three bases in the November 5 Fall Stars Game. He stole third base twice, and second base once.

In addition to watching him play in the Fall League, this writer scouted Scott II in the 2023 MLB All Star Futures Game in Seattle.

Scott II has gotten advice from iconic Cardinals base stealer, Vince Coleman. He considers Coleman a mentor.

Coleman stole 549 bases for the Cardinals in six seasons, and 752 in his 13-year career.

Scott II met Coleman in the Seattle hotel lobby, as Coleman was in Seattle as a coach for the Historical Black College and Universities All Star Game.

Scott II isn’t only about speed.

Scott II shows some true pop in his bat. He can be a home run threat as he physically matures and gains more depth to his frame.

Scott II may also gain home run power when he learns how pitchers try to get him out.

This scout has seen Scott II make consistent contact in the Fall League. While scouts have expressed concerns about a potential strikeout problem, that issue has not surfaced in the games this scout has observed. Scott II has struck out only eight times in 99 plate appearances.

With his speed, one might want to see Scott II walk a bit more. It would help him get on base, allowing him to use his World Class speed.

But Scott II goes to the plate to hit the ball.

Scott II should be able to hit for a solid big league average, but he won’t win a batting title. If he can get on base, he may steal second, and possibly third. And he’ll likely find himself in a position to score plenty of runs.

Using excellent speed, and good route running, Scott II is a solid outfielder. He profiles as a “take charge” centerfielder, with an ability to track balls off the bat and chase down drives to both gaps.

Because his arm strength is only average, he isn’t a candidate to play right field.

Victor Scott II has the one tool that can set him apart as a big league player. His blazing Grade 80 speed is the centerpiece of his tool box.

With the potential for power to emerge in the future, and good defensive play, to this scout, Scott projects as a Grade 55 player-an above average major league talent.

A grade 55 player is in the lineup daily, and not usually subject to a platoon.

For Scott II, getting on base is the key. It will trigger his speed, and unleash his greatest weapon.