The St. Louis Cardinals are preparing to depend heavily on their young roster this offseason, a strategy filled with promise given the potential of players like Victor Scott II. The Cardinals’ outlook for the coming years is hopeful as these emerging stars develop their skills and begin to make their mark in Major League Baseball.
Rising Young Stars Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II Energize the Team
Masyn Winn, at just 23 years old, has already established himself as one of the National League’s top shortstops, especially on defense. His 2025 season, though impacted by a knee injury, still showed strength with a .253 batting average, nine home runs, and 51 RBIs. The year before, Winn hit .267 with 15 homers and 57 RBIs, and now fully healthy, expectations for him are higher than ever.
Victor Scott II, aged 25, stands out as one of the best defensive center fielders in baseball as well as a dynamic base runner. In 2025, Scott stole 34 bases despite a .216 batting average. His potential to raise that average closer to .250 in 2026 presents an exciting opportunity for the Cardinals, adding a much-needed boost to their lineup.
Manager Oli Marmol Sees Significant Growth Potential in Key Players
Cardinals manager Oli Marmol highlighted the considerable room for improvement for both Scott and Winn, emphasizing their potential to evolve quickly.
“I’ll say this about [Victor Scott II] and Masyn, I think those two guys, there is a big gap between where they are at and what the ceiling is,”
Marmol said.
He also praised Winn’s developing approach to hitting this spring, showing a more mature mindset.
“He’s like, ‘I was trying to hit homers and see how many I could hit. I need to be a guy. I could hit .300 every year. I could drive the baseball when needed but I’ve got to pick my spots to leave the yard. I can spray the ball all over the field and find different ways to help us win.’ When you hear that coming out of his mouth, it gets you excited. He’s in the right mindset right now to be able to help us there. I think Vic is making some really good strides.”
This confidence indicates the Cardinals’ young talent is maturing and better understanding how to contribute consistently to the team’s success.
Commitment to Jordan Walker’s Development Reflects Team’s Long-Term Vision
Beyond Scott and Winn, Marmol expressed unwavering faith in prospect Jordan Walker. He noted Walker’s offseason showed a new level of maturity, which reinforced his commitment to the player’s future contributions.
“I’m nowhere close to giving up on this kid. He is going to figure it out, and I’m committed to that.”
Marmol remarked, underscoring the patience and support within the Cardinals’ organization.
Young Roster Signals a Swift End to Rebuilding Phase if Progress Continues
The Cardinals’ youthful roster points to a promising foundation as the team retools. Should players like Masyn Winn and Victor Scott II continue to improve in 2026, the franchise has a chance to accelerate its rebuild and contend sooner than expected. This blend of defensive prowess and developing offensive skills could transform the Cardinals into a more competitive force in the National League.
Oli Marmol believes this was the first offseason that Jordan Walker was able to communicate with a level of maturity that stood out.
"I'm nowhere close to giving up on this kid. He is going to figure it out, and I'm committed to that." pic.twitter.com/ZQZ8iu6KX6
— Foul Territory (@FoulTerritoryTV) March 2, 2026
