PITTSBURGH — Twenty-five months have passed since Victor Scott II made his Major League Debut.
The afternoon of March 28, 2024 at Dodger Stadium marked the first of 219 games Scott has appeared in for the St. Louis Cardinals up to this point, and while the adjustment to the top level continues for the 25-year-old, there’s plenty he’s discovered since that day.
“I’m more mature,” Scott said. “I understand the game a little bit more than what I did then and I have a little more fun playing the game. I enjoy the little moments, the preparation aspect and controlling things that I can control. I understand that aspect a little bit more now and I have a little bit more fun going about my business.”
Scott has showcased traits for St. Louis that he often displayed throughout a successful three-year collegiate career at West Virginia — namely speed and defense.
Despite hitting .216 over 138 games in 2025, Scott was 10th in MLB with 34 stolen bases. Only Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates had more stolen bases (38) with a lower batting average (.200).
A center fielder, Scott has also had his fair share of highlight-worthy catches. Last season, he ranked among the top players in all of MLB with a fielding run value of 12 on a Statcast-powered metric quantifying total defensive contribution in runs saved compared to an average player.
“My defense and speed are my main things,” Scott said. “As much as I work on hitting, I work on defense and speed as well.”
That’s not all too different than how things played out for Scott while with the Mountaineers from 2020-22.
He was reduced to 12 starts and 15 games as a true freshman during a COVID-shortened 16-game season in 2020.
As a sophomore, Scott made 49 starts over 53 games and stole 20 bases, but struck out 50 times across 159 at bats and hit .226.
The following year, Scott made a leap as a hitter and upped his average to .278, while driving in 47 runs and amassing 20 extra-base hits, including six home runs.
By getting on base more often, Scott was able to showcase blazing speed at a more consistent rate. In turn, he totaled 38 stolen bases to set the Mountaineers’ single-season record in that category.
Despite hardly playing more than two complete seasons in college, Scott is fourth all-time at WVU with 62 stolen bases.
Had Scott not acted quickly while being recruited by then-WVU assistant and current head coach Steve Sabins, it’s entirely possible he would have never played for the Mountaineers.
“I remember him saying we also offered another center fielder from North Carolina, and if he accepts the offer before you do, then he’s going to be our center fielder,” Scott recalled. “I hung up that phone, my mom got home that day, and I was like, ‘mom, dad, I think I’m about to do it. I don’t really have that many options, I’m kind of on the clock and this is something I want to do.’ I ended up calling coach Sabins back that next morning. That was kind of my story.”
He turned pro following his junior campaign and was selected in the fifth round by the Cardinals with the 157th overall pick.
Scott played for then-WVU head coach Randy Mazey throughout the entirety of college, which included the 2022 season when he was teammates with JJ Wetherholt.
Those two are again reunited after Wetherholt, St. Louis’ first-round pick in 2024 at No. 7 overall, made his MLB debut this year with the Cardinals on Opening Day.
“His preparation and work is always something I’ve admired,” Scott said. “The way he goes about his business, has conversations and talks about his pregame plan is as pro as you get. I can’t do anything but admire him and take some things away from him as he’s going about his business in the big leagues.”
Scott considers the relationship with Wetherholt more of a friendship than big brother-little brother, but the duo has taken time to appreciate being teammates at the highest level.
“It’s great. I played one year with him at school, so I was able to get comfortable and build a relationship there,” Wetherholt said. “We have continued to build on that here. I keep talking about full circle moments, but that’s one, too. He was like, ‘if you’d have told me that me and you would be in the big leagues sharing a field when we were in college, I’d have told you probably not.’ It’s cool to see it and what a great guy.”
Over his MLB career, Scott is a.205 hitter with eight home runs, 52 RBI and 42 stolen bases
He’s batting .192 over his first 73 at bats in 2026. It took Scott until his 69th at bat this season to hit his first home run — that a 415-foot blast into the Allegheny River on Tuesday in an 11-7 victory against the Pirates at PNC Park.
Victor Scott II no-doubter! 😳 pic.twitter.com/FOQCi7Om36
— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2026
In the process, Scott became the 53rd player with the 85th home run into the river.
For a native of Powder Springs, Ga., with family ties to Pittsburgh, it was undoubtedly a special moment.
“I have a lot of family here,” Scott said. “My dad went to Allegheny High School, so he has a lot of roots here. Every time I come here, I feel like a new uncle or cousin is coming to the game that I have to come outside and say hey to. All of that is really cool for me, especially my dad being from here and being able to represent my family that way.”