JUPITER, Fla. – Two young hitters, Victor Scott II and Luken Baker, are turning heads with their bats this spring. Both are making a compelling case to break camp with the St. Louis Cardinals’ big-league club, even with stiff competition up top.
Scott, an outfielder, leads the Cardinals with 12 hits and five stolen bases this spring, while Baker leads the team with four homers and eight RBIs. While stats aren’t the only measure of success, and spring training numbers don’t always guarantee sustained big-league success, their production has been impossible to ignore.
This year’s Cardinals roster is already packed with experienced position players, especially with Nolan Arenado still on the team after offseason trade speculation. Carving out everyday roles could be seemingly hard for several players.
However, with the Cardinals desperately searching for offense after last year’s struggles and also believed to be prioritizing youth, they may have no choice but to find room on the Opening Day roster for Scott and Baker.
Let’s dive into their current situations…
Victor Scott
Scott also had a strong showing in spring training last year when he was initially expected to begin the season at Triple-A Memphis, until a series of injuries to outfielders accelerated his path to the big leagues. His speed and comfortability in centerfield were strengths, but other areas of his game, particularly his contact, lagged behind last season. This led to him losing at-bats to teammate Michael Siani, who shared a similar skill set but performed better offensively as the season progressed.
During the offseason, the 24-year-old Scott focused on refining his hitting approach, studying film closely. The work has paid off so far, as he’s shown improved plate discipline (7 walks to 7 strikeouts) and power (five extra-base hits). He’s also made more consistent hard contact, indicating growth in his overall offensive game.
Scott’s spring performance has likely moved him from a borderline roster candidate to a near lock for Opening Day, especially with Siani struggling at the plate this spring. However, where Scott fits into the crowded outfield, which could also see ample opportunities for Lars Nootbaar, Brendan Donovan, Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson, will depend on how the Cardinals navigate their depth.
“I’m really confident, and the rhythm is there,” said Scott via an MLB.com report from Cardinals reporter John Denton. “A lot of the work that I’ve been putting in is coming around. Me and Brownie [hitting coach Brant Brown] are having conversations every day about getting that athleticism out of me, and it’s starting to show and become a cool-looking product.”
Luken Baker
A first baseman by trade, the 28-year-old Baker spent years blocked by former MVP Paul Goldschmidt patrolling the corner. Even with Goldschmidt’s departure, his path to regular at-bats remains complicated, as the Cardinals regularly plan to use longtime catcher Willson Contreras at first base this season.
The past two years have followed a similar pattern for Baker: Dominant power numbers in the minor leagues (65 home runs over two seasons) and brief stints in St. Louis with limited opportunities to prove himself at the major-league level.
Baker’s future with the Cardinals will depend almost entirely on his bat. So far, his 11 spring hits, including four home runs, are helping his cause. As a right-handed slugger, he could be a valuable piece against left-handed pitching, a weakness for the Cardinals last season. He may also thrive in pinch-hit situations, particularly against fastball-heavy pitchers.
If Baker makes the Opening Day roster, he’d likely claim the 13th and final position-player spot, possibly sending José Fermín or Michael Siani to Memphis. No matter where he lands, he hopes to keep his focus on what he can control.
“There have been a few pitches I’ve needed to not miss and I haven’t missed them,” said Baker in a recent one-on-one spring training interview with FOX 2. “I feel like I’m taking the pitches I shouldn’t be swinging at and swinging at the pitches I should. I feel like I’m in a good spot. … The goal is to always perform, and perform well. Part of that for me is hitting the ball over the wall. To put myself in the best position to do that, that’s what I’ve worked on this offseason.”
Current Roster Projection
If Scott and Baker both make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster out of camp, the big-league squad (at least for position players) could look something like this…
CATCHERS
- Ivan Herrera
- Pedro Pages
INFIELDERS
- Nolan Arenado
- Luken Baker
- Willson Contreras
- Nolan Gorman
- Masyn Winn
INFIELDERS/OUTFIELDERS
- Alec Burleson
- Brendan Donovan
OUTFIELDERS
- Lars Nootbaar
- Victor Scott II
- Michael Siani
- Jordan Walker