Former Mountaineer and current starting centerfielder Victor Scott II is making viral plays in the outfield left and right. The young outfielder is making his name for himself in many baseball circles for his outstanding defensive play.
During Sunday’s game, Cardinals fans were treated to a sensational defensive play. And if you did not tell them who made the play, many would guess that Nolan Arenado, a 10-time Gold Glove and six-time Platinum Glove winner, had made some sort of wizard-like play in foul territory by the third base bag and threw a runner out from over 100 feet from the first base bag.
But many otherC ardinals fans would have guessed that Victor Scott II made the play. And the latter Cardinals fans would be the correct group.
On April 26, Scott II made a terrific play, leaving his feet, making a full extension catch in right centerfield. Just a little over a week later, Scott II is making another amazing catch. The difference this time? For one, Scott II took away a home run from one of the best hitters in the MLB, Juan Soto, who signed a record deal this offseason, getting around $765 million. And for the other difference, the former Mountaineer made another huge positive impact on the other side of the game in the batter’s box.
This time making a viral play, the former WVU player made a leaping catch in straightaway centerfield, taking a would-be home run away superstar Soto. After the catch, Scott II is seen chomping on some gum with an almost-cocky appearance. But if you can make that catch, maybe you should be a little cocky with your gum chewing.
The night does not end with just the great catch
Scott II did not limit his impact to just defense on Saturday. In the bottom of the sixth inning, the former Mountaineer ripped a two-out double between the centerfielder and leftfielder, scoring a baserunner from first base on Scott II’s double.
There is no doubt what Scott II can do in the outfield with his glove and blazing speed. But a part of his game that many Cardinals fans were hoping to see improvement on from the 2024 season was his hitting. And through 31 games so far this season, it has definitely improved.
Earlier this season, Scott II made an appearance on MLB Network to discuss his swing and his approach in the box. Scott II seemed very confident in his abilities and the mechanics of his swing. And I think WVU and Cardinals fans are seeing the evidence of that confidence. On the year Scott II has a slashline of .286 BA/.356 OBP/.419 SLG with a .775 OPS. That is markedly better than his 2024 season.
The Cardinals must feel like they found an absolute steal in the 2022 MLB Draft when they were able to select Victor Scott II out of West Virginia in the fifth round. And then just two years later, Mountaineer baseball legend JJ Wetherholt fell into their lap with the seventh overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. The Cardinals may be setting up a pipeline between Morgantown and St. Louis, and WVU fans have to love to see that.