Cardinals Opening Day Center Fielder Choice Coming into Clarity

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jayden Pettus | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 5:32 PM ET

Victor Scott II has had a spring to remember for the St. Louis Cardinals. His impressive preseason performance may leave the Cardinals no choice but to name the 24-year-old the team's Opening Day center fielder.

A 2022 fifth-round pick, Scott II is having his second straight standout spring, but this year the Cardinals have seen even more production from him at the plate.

Through 15 games this spring, the former West Virginia Mountaineer has gone 15-for-41 (.366), while knocking in seven runs and scoring 11 times. In that stretch, Scott II has walked eight times to push his on-base percentage to .469.

The 2023 MiLB Gold Glover has smashed four home runs to tie Luken Baker for the team lead during spring training and added three more extra base hits for a slugging percentage of .756 and a 1.225 OPS — good enough for the team lead among batters with at least 15 at-bats in both categories.

Cardinals' primary 2024 center fielder Michael Siani has had a very different spring from Scott II, one in which he's seen great struggle at the dish.

The 25-year-old is hitting just .105 this spring with just four hits, one run scored and one RBI. Not from lack of playing time, Siani has appeared in parts of 14 games and racked up 38 at-bats. The former fourth-round pick currently has 13 strikeouts for a 35.1% strikeout rate.

Despite his struggles at the plate, Siani has still been a consistent defender, leading Scott II in putouts with 21 from center field. The defense may not be enough to distract the Cardinals brass from Scott II's impressive performance at the plate.

Contrary to the start of the 2024 season — when Scott II and Siani were both coming off big spring performances, making the Cardinals' choice a bit more difficult — the decision for the Opening Day center fielder position should be cut and dry.

Scott II continues to prove to the Cardinals organization and fans alike that he deserves to be the team's Opening Day center fielder.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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