The official announcement has been made: Dylan Carlson will take on the role of center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals at the start of the season, while Victor Scott II will be sent down to Memphis to kick off the year.
Scott II showcased his abilities and determination to earn a spot on the team, with coaches recognizing his potential. Despite their belief in him, the decision was made to delay his promotion. Nonetheless, Scott II continues to impress, making management’s choice increasingly difficult as he garners more attention.
Fans are buzzing with excitement as they witness Scott II’s skills, which could immediately benefit the team. However, management opts to send him to the minors, citing his limited experience with only 544 plate appearances across 133 minor league games and no Triple-A play. Yet, an injury alleviates some pressure, relieving the need to justify past decisions like keeping Albert Pujols on the Opening Day roster in 2001.
Born just seven weeks before Pujols’s MLB debut, Scott II finds himself in a familiar position with the Cardinals, reminiscent of Pujols’s early days. Despite playing in 163 minor league games with 760 plate appearances, Scott II fails to secure a spot on the Opening Day roster.
His exclusion shouldn’t come as a surprise, considering the offseason discourse emphasizing the importance of seasoned players for team culture, echoed by John Mozeliak and Nolan Arenado. The Cardinals’ signings of veterans like Sonny Gray, Kyle Gibson, Lance Lynn, Keynan Middleton, Brandon Crawford, and Matt Carpenter, all significantly older than Scott II, further indicate a preference for experience.
Manager Oliver Marmol’s pre-season focus on Tommy Edman’s role in center field hinted at Scott II’s eventual fate. Despite a strong showing in spring training with impressive batting statistics, runs scored, walks, strikeouts, stolen bases, and defensive highlights, Scott II ultimately falls short of making the team due to a shift towards valuing veteran presence.
Reflecting on previous arguments advocating for Scott II’s inclusion as the starting center fielder, it’s worth considering Josh Jacobs’ perspective on the situation. While Scott II may start in Triple-A, baseball’s dynamic nature means opportunities can arise swiftly, whether due to injuries or changes in performance, potentially leading to his swift promotion if circumstances align.