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Shortly after finding out he would be participating in the Arizona Fall League with top prospects seemingly on the verge of being called up by MLB, the Cardinals speedster Victor Scott II two names immediately came to mind.
Jordan Walker and Masyn Winn – two of the best young players in the Cardinals system, both of whom made the jump from the 2022 Arizona Fall League to Major League Baseball in 2023 – were at the forefront of Scott’s thoughts.
Scott, who flew towards the Ranking #4 in the Cards’ farm system after stealing 94 bases while splitting time between Single-A and Double-A in 2023, hopes a strong performance in this year’s Arizona Fall League could help him follow in the footsteps of two players he has admired for a long time.
“I see Masyn and (Walker) and what they did last year, and I want to follow in their footsteps,” Scott said. “I mean, really, the steps have been mapped out there and if I can continue to be the player that I am – a consistent, humble guy who is willing to follow the steps of God’s plan – I might have- be a chance to be a big leaguer next year. That would be awesome.”
In recent years, the Arizona Fall League has been an ideal launching pad for many of the Cardinals’ best young players. In 2021, Lars Nootbaar, Nolan Gorman, Brendan Donovan, Jordan Hicks, Andre Pallante and Juan Yepez used strong Fall Ball play to reach the big leagues in 2022. Last year, Walker and Winn were standouts in the Arizona, and both eventually reached the Cardinals. in 2023 – Walker was on the Opening Day roster, while Winn was promoted after strong play at the Triple-A level.
Scott, 23, a fifth-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, continued his stellar Minor League season in Arizona. In 23 Fall League games, Scott hit .286 with an impressive .388 on-base percentage while doubling twice, hitting three home runs and driving in eight runs. Recently named a Minor League Gold Glove winner by Rawlings, Scott used his blazing speed to steal 18 more bases in 21 tries in Arizona.
The Cardinals contingent of prospects played for the Scottsdale Scorpions, who fell one win short of the league championship game. Understanding that many Cardinals have used the Arizona Fall League as a springboard to the big leagues over the past two seasons, here is a look at the best Cardinals players of the Fall Ball season:
RHP Tekoah Roby: The most valuable piece of the return in the trade that sent left-hander Jordan Montgomery to the World Series champion Rangers, Roby got off to a horrible start in his finale in Arizona. He allowed a solo home run, a grand slam and four walks while squandering a nine-run lead he had been banking on. A Fall Ball All-Star, Roby struck out 18 batters in 13 2/3 innings pitched.
RHP André Granillo: The 2021 14th round pick has become a standout player to watch in spring training thanks to the steely toughness he’s shown in closing out games with a four-seam fastball that typically hovers between 94 and 97 mph. After compiling a 30.1 percent strikeout rate in Double-A and Triple-A, he fanned 14 batters in 10 innings and compiled a 1.80 ERA to go along with three saves in Arizona.
LHP Cooper Hjerpe: The No. 22 overall pick in 2022 had his first professional season interrupted by arthroscopic surgery on his left elbow. However, he returned to Arizona to pitch 8 1/3 innings in seven relief games. Hjerpe’s cross-field throw and plus slider confounded hitters to the tune of 15 strikeouts and a .167 batting average against.
RHP Edwin Nunez and Inohan Paniagua: Nunez, 22, from the Dominican Republic, is an intriguing prospect with a fastball that has already reached 100 mph. He pitched Single-A Peoria to the postseason despite a strikeout rate dropping to 19 percent. In Arizona, he saved two games and compiled a 2.53 ERA in eight games. Paniagua’s Minor League season was delayed due to a shoulder issue, but he rallied to make his way to Arizona. However, the long ball was a serious problem during the Fall Ball season as he allowed six home runs in 16 2/3 innings pitched.
Scott: In addition to the stellar .417 slugging percentage and .388 on-base percentage he posted, Scott held his own against some of the best pitchers by striking out just eight times and walking 12 times in 23 games. Scott admitted to trying to hit for power a little too often while in college at West Virginia, but he managed to hit a team-best three homers in Arizona.
Receiver Jimmy Crooks: The University of Oklahoma product, who was a fourth-round pick of the Cardinals in 2022, saw limited playing time in Arizona despite having a stellar season with Peoria (team highs with 12 home runs, 29 doubles and 73 RBIs). He finally broke out of a 2-for-21 slump with a single, a double, a walk and three RBIs at the end of the Arizona Fall League to finish on a high note.
Shortstop Jeremy Rivas: The 20-year-old Venezuelan, who was signed for $600,000 in 2019, continued to show the leather, but he offered very little at the plate. Having never posted a wRC+ above 78 in the minor leagues, Rivas hit just .230 and issued seven walks, compared to 22 strikeouts in 21 Arizona Fall League games. The Cardinals opted not to add him to the 40-man roster before Tuesday’s deadline, meaning he could be selected by another club in December’s Rule 5 draft.
