Victor Scott II entered the 2025 season as one of the most exciting players in the St. Louis Cardinals organization. Known for his elite speed, Gold Glove-caliber defense, and the high energy he brings to his play, Scott is someone who has always had the attention of Cardinals’ fans, even in the minors. After some exposure to the big leagues in 2024, Scott took on a full-time role in 2025. With a full season under his belt, what are reasonable expectations for the young outfielder in his second full season?
Scott’s Second Season Expectations
Identifying His Style of Play
To properly evaluate Scott’s reasonable expectations, it is important to first understand the type of player he is. Scott’s game is built around speed, defense, and putting pressure on opposing teams on the bases. In the minor leagues, he quickly became known as one of the fastest players in professional baseball. During the 2023 season across High-A and Double-A, Scott stole 94 bases, demonstrating not only his elite speed but also strong instincts on the basepaths. That ability alone gives him a unique tool that can impact games even when he is not producing at the plate.
Scott at the Plate
However, Scott’s development at the plate will ultimately determine how large of a role he can play in the Cardinals’ lineup. In 2025, Scott experienced the highs and lows many young players face as they adjust to major league pitching. Big league pitchers quickly test young hitters’ weaknesses. Scott saw a steady diet of off-seed pitches and elevated fastballs designed to exploit holes in his swing.
For Scott, the key will be improving his on-base ability. Since he is such a dynamic runner, simply getting on base can create immediate offensive opportunities. A reasonable expectation for his second full season would be to post an on-base percentage in the .320 range, an increase from last season’s .305. That number does not jump off the page compared to other steal threats (Jose Caballero stole 49 bases last season and had a .339 on-base percentage), but with Scott’s speed, he could consistently create scoring chances. For Scott, a walk could easily turn into a double.
While 94 stolen bases is an unrealistic expectation, having 30-40 swiped bags would be a very productive outcome. In today’s game, where the bases have gotten bigger, Scott’s speed could give the Cardinals an element that reminds fans of the 1980’s Cardinals.
Scott in the Field
Defensively, Scott already looks capable of becoming one of the better center fielders in the National League. His range allows him to cover significant ground in the outfield, and his instincts help him take efficient routes to the ball. Center field is one of the most demanding positions in baseball, and having a player who can reliably patrol that area provides tremendous value.
Victor Scott II robs Jac Caglianone in his first Major League at-bat! 😱 pic.twitter.com/48mohGTEta
— MLB (@MLB) June 4, 2025
He was a finalist for the center field Gold Glove, losing it to Pete Crow-Armstrong. If he plays another full season in center field and continues last season’s defensive success, it would not be unreasonable to see him back in the Gold Glove conversation. Furthermore, it would also be reasonable to expect him to rank among the league leaders in defensive metrics such as outs above average. Scott finished in the top ten last season, saving 17 outs. The league leader was Bobby Witt Jr., who saved 25. An eight-out difference does not seem like much to someone with Scott’s defensive skills.
Overall Game
Scott can impact a ballgame in different ways. He can get on base, turn a walk into a double, or make some great plays in the outfield. Players with that type of versatility often become important pieces of winning teams. Scott is the kind of player the Cardinals need as they navigate this rebuild.
With that being said, patience will be necessary when evaluating Scott’s development. While there are current players (Luis Arraez and Steven Kwan, for example) who match Scott’s style and have had early success, it would be unreasonable to assume there won’t be some growing pains for Scott. It will be important to be patient as Scott continues to find his way in the majors.
What the Cardinals Want to See
For the Cardinals, the most important sign of progress would be steady improvement in Scott’s plate discipline and contact quality. If he can cut down on strikeouts (111 last season), work deeper counts, and continue refining his approach, his offensive production should gradually improve.
A realistic stat line for Scott’s 2026 might look something like a .250 batting average with a .320 on-base percentage. In addition, 25-30 stolen bases and strong defensive metrics would also be considered a realistic expectation. While those numbers may not make him an All-Star right away, they would represent meaningful growth and establish him as a reliable everyday player.
If what we have talked about today begins to take shape, Scott could quickly become one of the most exciting young players on the Cardinals’ roster- and a key piece of the team’s future.
Main Photo: Gregory Fisher- Imagn Images
