Looking to re-energize a career that mostly stalled during the 2026 season with the St. Louis Cardinals, speedy center fielder Victor Scott II has agreed to play for the Aguilas Cibaenas in the Liga de Beisbol Dominicano.
After spending the past two offseasons working out in his native Atlanta throughout the offseason, Scott decided to play in the Dominican Winter League for more reps after his MLB season was limited to just 80 games in 2026.
The Cardinals will need to add hard-throwing right-handed pitcher Jacob Odle and Minor League slugging sensation Jesus Baez to their 40-man roster to avoid them being exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. Scott's spot on the Cardinals' 40-man roster could be in jeopardy, and he will likely be using the Dominican Winter League to try and showcase a swing he has worked to rebuild.
In other Winter League news, Cardinals Hall of Famer Yadier Molina is managing Navegantes del Magallanes in Venezuela, and he brought a strong contingent of coaches with him on his staff. Roberto Espinoza, the manager of the High-A Peoria Chiefs in the Cardinals' Minor League system, is serving as Molina's bench coach. Cardinals first base coach Stubby Clapp will be Molina's third base coach, while Cardinals bullpen catcher Kleininger Teran will be the team's hitting coach. Teran served as the batting practice pitcher for Jordan Walker when he won the MLB Home Run Derby in Philadelphia in July. Also, Triple-A Memphis pitching coach, Darwin Marrero, will serve as the pitching coach for Molina's squad.
Scott, 25, made the Cardinals' Opening Day roster out of Spring Training as the team's starting center fielder. He even had three hits in St. Louis' Opening Day victory over the Rays, and he carved out three multi-hit performances in his first five games.
However, Scott struggled badly at the plate in April (7 of 62, .113) and May (12 of 62, .194) and he was sent to Triple-A Memphis after a stretch of four hits in 15 at bats (.267) to open June.
After spending 2 ½ months in Triple-A, Scott returned to the Cardinals on Aug. 1 when rosters expanded to 28. Used primarily as a pinch-runner and a late-game defensive replacement, Scott went just 2 for 11 (.182) over the season's final month with two strikeouts and three stolen bases in four tries.
For the season, Scott slashed just .193/.270/.253/.528 with four doubles, two homers and nine RBI. He struck out 46 times compared to drawing just 16 walks. Also, Scott's effectiveness as a base stealer tumbled as he was 12 of 17 in stolen base tries in 2026 with the Cardinals.
In 57 games with Triple-A Memphis, Scott hit .237 with 11 doubles, three triples, two homers and 17 RBI. At the Triple-A level, he stole 23 of 25 bases.
It was a disappointing season considering that Scott played 138 games with the Cardinals in 2025 and stole 34 of 38 bases. He also had 15 doubles, a triple, five home runs and 37 RBI in 2025.
