Cardinals’ Victor Scott II Loves The Art Of Stealing Bases
A few hours after meeting with former Cardinals speedster Vince Coleman for a midnight chat about what it takes to steal base when everyone in the ballpark knows you’re going to try, Victor Scott II did just that.
Twice.
In his Futures Game debut, Scott singled and then stole second base easily. Then he snagged third, too.
“I knew it’s my time,” Scott said. “They don’t count toward 100 (stolen bases), but at least I could show the world what I can do, and what I’m capable of doing.”
Through 78 games this season, Scott stole 55 bases in 63 attempts. He had his eyes set on 100.
Scott hit .285/.361/.401 with three home runs, primarily at High-A Peoria. The Cardinals promoted the 2022 fifth-rounder from West Virginia to Double-A Springfield in late June.
“A lot of guys compete in the box. He competes in the box and always on the basepaths,” said Tink Hence, Scott’s Springfield teammate. “He loves the art of stealing bags . . .
“He feels like each (time he gets on base) he’s supposed go out and come back with at least a bag.”
In college Scott thought power and run production would be his ticket to the big leagues. He now realizes that stealing bases has put him on the expressway.
The Cardinals were drawn to Scott’s athleticism in the draft. St. Louis regularly brought the 22-year-old over for late-inning appearances during big league spring training because he had gained a reputation for reliable defense in minor league camp.
By embracing speed, Scott has worked to make more contact and outrun grounders while not expanding his strike zone. His 9% walk rate and 17% strikeout rate with Peoria reflect that, as did his low flyball rate of 37%.
The night before the Futures Game, Scott met in the hotel lobby with Coleman, who stole 100 bases in a season three times for the Cardinals. They talked about reading pitchers and preparing for their tendencies before getting on base.
Scott showed that he is a quicker learner. He spied a pause in Twins prospect David Festa’s delivery and was off to the races.
REDBIRD CHIRPS
— Catcher Ivan Herrera, who was once positioned as the heir to Yadier Molina, has impressed the major league staff by making significant strides at Triple-A Memphis in his preparation for games and game-calling. His advancement behind the plate has coincided with a breakout at the plate. Herrera hit .308/.432/.557 with eight home runs through 50 games.
— Righthander Tink Hence, the Cardinals’ other representative at the Futures Game, struck out one, walked one, and allowed one hit in his scoreless inning at Seattle’s T-Mobile Park. Hence’s appearance in the prospect showcase came within a week of his Double-A debut after putting up a 2.81 ERA in 41.2 innings at High-A.
