2:14pm: The Cardinals have officially announced Scott’s recall and Siani’s placement on the 10-day IL due to a right oblique strain. A timetable for Siani’s return has not yet been made clear, though Woo suggests it sounds as though his injury is “significant.”
1:13pm: The Cardinals are recalling center fielder Victor Scott II ahead of today’s series finale against the Cubs, according to a report from The Athletic’s Katie Woo this morning. Woo suggests that Scott will take the place of center fielder Michael Siani on the active roster as he heads to the 10-day injured list due to an oblique issue that cropped up during yesterday’s game.
It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Siani, 25, as he was in the midst of establishing himself as long-term option for the club in center when he exited yesterday’s game due to tightness on his right side and was sent for an MRI as noted by MLB.com’s John Denton yesterday. The results of that MRI are not yet clear, though the center fielder evidently will require at least a ten day stint on the shelf to recover. Yesterday’s shortened performance ended a fantastic hot stretch for Siani that dated all the way back to June 24. In his previous 31 appearances entering yesterday’s game, the center fielder had slashed a phenomenal .354/.391/.415, though that stretch of offensive success came with an eye-popping .492 BABIP that was clearly unsustainable.
Still, Siani’s growth as a hitter has been impressive considering the fact that he entered the month of May with a ghastly .128/.244/.179 slash line. His improved play since then has brought his wRC+ up to 79, a figure that’s still well below average but is enough to make him a viable regular in conjunction with his elite defense in center field and a strong 14-for-17 track record on the basepaths. Siani’s +15 Outs Above Average ranks second among all center fielders behind Jacob Young and fourth among all MLB players this year, while his +10 Defensive Runs Saved ties him with defensive phenoms Pete Crow-Armstrong and Michael A. Taylor for sixth among all outfielders.
Taking Siani’s place on the Cardinals’ active roster is Scott, a fellow glove-first center fielder who bats from the left side. Scott made his big league debut earlier this year as the club’s surprising choice for Opening Day center fielder but struggled badly in the role with a brutal .085/.138/.136 slash line (-22 wRC+) in 21 games before he was ultimately optioned back down to Triple-A. Scott’s struggles have continued in the minors as he’s hit just .219/.302/.319 in 74 games at the highest level of the minors this year despite an impressive strikeout rate of just 14.3%.
It’s not currently clear if Scott will take over for Siani as a regular fixture in center field or will instead be used as a defensive replacement off the bench. After all, the club could utilize either Lars Nootbaar or Tommy Pham in center field and both players would be a significant offensive improvement over Scott at the position. Such a set up would likely leave Brendan Donovan to move from second base into an outfield corner to open the keystone up for Nolan Gorman, who has struggled to a .199/.272/.408 slash line (91 wRC+) in 99 games with the club this year. It’s also possible that Scott’s call-up to the majors could indicate that Siani’s injury isn’t likely to require a major absence, as Derrick Goold of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch suggested yesterday that a lengthier absence for Siani could lead the Cardinals to try and work a right-handed bat such as Luken Baker or even former top prospect Jordan Walker into their predominantly left-handed bench mix.
Plated softball against his pop in Delco.
Dude was a BALLER……was hoping the Phils would take a shot on Mike.
Scott has been a bit better lately with like a 1.030 OPS the last couple of weeks. If he’s turned things around, it’d be great to see him keep it up in this stint
Said it at the time…Reds gave up too soon on Siani and got nothing for him like they do on a lot of prospects. Just more poor management by the Reds and Krall. He is an elite GG caliber centerfielder and great 4th OF’ers. I love Fairchild but he’s an upgrade to him. St. Louis saw his potential and scooped him up immediately.
Key word, 4th outfielder. Not an everyday starting CF. The Cardinals might want to find one of those again someday. It wasn’t Tommy Edman, Dylan Carlson, or Tyler O’Neil. It’s not Lars Nootbaar, and it sure as heck isn’t VS2.
Probably want to give the dude a chance before slamming the door on Scott lol. He’s a prospect that’s shown a lot of potential and worth seeing what he’s got.
where are you watching him play?
I’m surprised the cardinals didn’t have to give up Scott to the wsox in the 3 team trade, I thought the cards would have to give up at least one of their fringe top 100 prospects but an injured Tommy edman is enough to get the deal done
The Cardinals would only have given up Scott if they got Robert. What’s unfortunate is Siani was only starting because of Edman and now that Edman is almost healthy he would be a big help right now. Still like the trade but it kinda hurts now. Not to mention McGreevy pitched great in his first start of his career and Fedde did not.
If Siani was being thought of as a long term player based on a hot month, then the Cardinals have really lost focus. They probably have five more guys just like him in the system, case in point Victor Scott.
His year to date stats show he’s worthy of a starting spot, at least against righties. Scott is not as good of a hitter or defender.
Scott is a potential gold glove center fielder, the defense is going to remain high with him out there. And in the minors Siani has always had lower OBP numbers and has never even come CLOSE to Scott’s SLG. Scott is a much better hitter.
I love the enthusiasm, but in his last 154 ABs, his 600 AB projections would be a season with 4 HRs, and a 200/20 K/W.
Definitely needs to learn to take a walk. The power will probably never develop, but he could still become more selective and patient.
With his speed, OBP needs to be his offensive calling card.
His walk and strikeout rates were definitely better at Memphis. Just have to translate that to MLB.
He is elite defensively at a position where defense is very important.
Run, Victor, run.
I hate this for Siani. He’s really saved the Cardinals season in a lot of ways. I also hate this for Victor Scott. He’s continued to struggle in Memphis and now he’s going to be thrust back into a situation he’s not ready for.
The one guy who has to be smiling is Dylan Carlson. After the Cardinals made it very clear they were just happy to be rid of him, one week later it turns out they need hm after all. I understand why the Cardinals were fed up with Carlson, but CF depth is SO valuable. The Rays understand that. The Cardinals never seem to learn.
Yeah we traded not 1 but 2 center fielders away at the deadline. I can’t complain about the trades but the timing of Sianis injury is unfortunate. Truly we should have got rid of Matt Carpenter and kept Carlson but oh well.
TO DO: Good comments as usual. I remember when you guys had a wealth of talent in the OF. Most of it faded or was traded away. BB is a game based on performance done, not always potential!
It sucks losing a great defensive player, especially CF. I’ve long wanted the Cardinals to prioritize Centerfield, Catcher, and Shortstop from a position standpoint.
A Centerfielder can always transition to a corner outfielder, a Shortstop can be converted to any position, and Catchers are like pitching, they’re just too valuable.
GREAT SCOTT !!
PS: Good Luck to Little Tommy. I hope he get healthy and is the productive player He was in STL. I like the guy!
I’m glad they got Gorman out of the lineup, but I don’t want him to rot on the bench. Send him down and recall Fermin. That solves the need for another RH bat.
It makes no sense to recall Baker or especially Walker before Herrera.
They need to start playing better or the decision to “buy” at the deadline is going to haunt them.
It was careful buying that I won’t regret. They basically swapped Edman for Fedde next year. Carlson was a dump of a player considered to be a failure.
They really need to figure out why all their players falter.