By: John Denton
MESA, Ariz. — While injuries to Tommy Edman, Lars Nootbaar and Dylan Carlson have repeatedly thrown the Cardinals’ best-laid outfield plans into flux and caused plenty of uncertainty, particularly in center field, manager Oliver Marmol spoke with conviction and no hesitation when discussing the club’s future at that position.
“[Victor Scott II] is the starting center fielder,” Marmol said on Tuesday morning after the team learned that Carlson will miss several weeks with a sprained AC joint in his left shoulder. “If he’s here, he’s going to play. He’s here to play. I’m extremely excited to watch him.
“Two things come to mind with this kid: He’s confident in his abilities and he embraces competition. Secondly, he has a personality that even if he’s tested and faces adversity, he’s going to come out of it just fine. It’ll be fun to watch.”
An MRI exam on Monday night revealed that Carlson — the projected Opening Day starter in center field following a stellar Spring Training — sustained damage to his left shoulder after a collision with right fielder Jordan Walker caused him to land hard on his left side on the warning track.
Cardinals president of baseball operations John Mozeliak said that Carlson would return to St. Louis — instead of traveling to Los Angeles where the Cards open the season against the star-studded Dodgers on Thursday.
Mozeliak said he viewed Carlson’s injury in the prism of one that won’t “be measured in months,” and he hopes the switch-hitting center fielder can be back in a few weeks.
While the Cardinals wait for the returns of Edman [right wrist surgery], Nootbaar [two rib fractures] and Carlson, they will attempt to make do in center field with the 23-year-old Scott and defensive ace Michael Siani.
St. Louis is hopeful that Nootbaar could possibly rejoin the active roster as soon as the home opener against the Marlins on April 4. For now, Mozeliak said there is no need for the club to try and add a veteran presence in the outfield.
“I don’t think so because we know that we’re going to get Noot back shortly, at some point we’re going to get Tommy Edman back and with Dylan, I don’t think it’s going to be measured in months,” Mozeliak said.
“So, I just think going out and signing someone for the short term probably is just going to create a little confusion in the long run.”
Scott went into last season having never played professionally above Single-A, but he rocketed through the Minor Leagues by stealing 94 bases and winning a Gold Glove for his play in center field.
After strong showings at Single-A Peoria and Double-A Springfield, Scott backed up his progress by displaying a newfound plate discipline in the Arizona Fall League.
Given a non-roster invite to Major League Spring Training, Scott showed how he went from the Cards’ No. 29 to No. 4 prospect in a year’s time in the MLB Pipeline rankings.
In 13 Grapefruit League games, Scott hit .316 with one triple, five walks and four stolen bases. Even more impressive was his defense where he robbed one hitter with a diving catch in shallow center and went above the wall to steal a home run from Nats shortstop CJ Abrams.
“He has a quiet confidence to him and he goes about it really well,” Marmol said of Scott, who carried a notebook with him around camp to jot down notes during film sessions and team meetings. “He just put his head down and got to work. He went about it like a pro and now he’s got a shot which is awesome.”
Last week, Scott told MLB.com that he often daydreams when away from the ballpark what it would feel like to make the Cardinals’ Opening Day roster. Those dreams will become a reality on Thursday when he makes his MLB debut in center against the Dodgers.
“It would mean the world to me,” Scott said of potentially getting an MLB callup. “I know it’s not just me who has gotten here. God, first and foremost, my parents and coaches along the way — all those things in tangent have helped me get to this point.
“So, if it comes, I’ll probably be teary-eyed, for sure, if [an MLB promotion] comes.”
