Church over Scott in CF?

[Lightning Rod]

article in Post today by Goold on Scott 'Cardinals commit to 'reps' for struggling Scott


Won't copy/paste the entire article as some can read it in entireity .. For those who cannot , some excerpts :

In the midst of the slump, Scott is getting more than words of encouragement.

He’ll continue to get at-bats, his manager said.

“When everyone is getting the reps that are needed,” manager Oli Marmol said, “I don’t think (changing playing time) is that big of a discussion.”
Marmol said he doesn’t expect to rewrite the rotation of outfielders he’s used in the season’s first month and that both Nathan Church and Scott will continue to see regular starts, with Scott as the everyday center fielder. Marmol said he might remove a player from the lineup if a slump appears mentally draining or worsening.

For now, they’ll use the playing time in the outfield while they have it. Lars Nootbaar is a month away from returning from the 60-day injured list, and at that point, the competition for playing time in center could tighten.
“They’re both in a position where they’re trying to settle in and figure out how to sustain success,” Marmol said of Scott and Church.

Throughout spring, Scott improved upon his ability to flip trends of the previous year. He wanted to avoid the ground balls to the right side and the flare fly balls to left field. Those habits have crept back into his game in part because opponents are pitching him in a way that invites those outcomes. In the third inning Tuesday, Scott hit a ground ball down the first base line that he could not outrun before the pitcher tagged him out.

“They’re going to pitch you for you to do exactly that,” Marmol said. “They’re going to force you to pound it into the ground pull-side, where your legs don’t matter. And if you’re going up and away, where it’s a fly ball. It’s understanding how to combat that. That’s why more reps are key.”

Marmol said he and his staff have started a “deep dive” on Scott’s start the season. The goal is to identify more than areas of adjustments but also an order of “attack.”

Reading between the lines , I would say Scott has this next month to turn things around . If not, when Noot returns his playing time will probabl be greatly reduced as Noot would be given starts in LF and Church would certainly get his starts in CF so Scott becomes 4th OF .
In my mind, he would be utililized mostly as pinch runner and possibly late in games , they may remove Noot from LF , move Church from CF to LF and insert Scott in CF for defensive speed upgrade for final inning or two if they have a good lead OR if Noot is not scheduled to come up to bat any more.

Didn't we see enough of Scott last year? He's the same guy this year, a guy who can track fly balls but has trouble with grounders, and has no arm. He hits the ball in the air too much and seldom makes hard contact and strikes out too often. It's hard to believe the Cards cannot find anyone better, they obviously see something most fans don't.

[rockondlouie]

There’s just not enough offense with Scott and it seems Church is an excellent defensive outfielder. Eventually Noot will be back in LF. Baez could also be an excellent outfielder. Scott can bunt and play great defense. Church reminds me a bit of Donovan.

Been saying the same G221

Given he posed two elite skills (defense & speed) I've really been pulling for VSII but it's getting close to the time the organization has to realize he's nothing more than a late inning defensive replacement/pinch runner.

Church is quickly surpassing him w/a superior bat, near equal defense and solid speed.

The clock is ticking on VSII, he's running out of time.

[Futuregm2]

The reality is that Churchy is just an all-around better MLB CF than VS2. Honestly, the only thing that VS2 best Church in is probably straight-out speed. Church has more power, better hitter, better on base, better arm, equal base runner, and equal defense.

I am to the point where I would put Church out there every day against both hands and let him have a true audition. VS2 could play in Memphis and try to salvage things.

Bring Torres up in his place and see if his on-base tool plays at the MLB level.

I hate it for Scott. I am new to Torres. But he plays all positions, and gets on base.

Question- currently we are doing well with JJ at lead off. Torres greatest strength is his on base ability.
Where do you slot him with out upsetting the Apple Cart

I’d put Torres 9th until he proves otherwise. No problem with having a 2nd leadoff hitter for when the lineup turns.

[Ozziesfan41]

The reality is that Churchy is just an all-around better MLB CF than VS2. Honestly, the only thing that VS2 best Church in is probably straight-out speed. Church has more power, better hitter, better on base, better arm, equal base runner, and equal defense.

I am to the point where I would put Church out there every day against both hands and let him have a true audition. VS2 could play in Memphis and try to salvage things.

Bring Torres up in his place and see if his on-base tool plays at the MLB level.

I hate it for Scott. I am new to Torres. But he plays all positions, and gets on base.

Question- currently we are doing well with JJ at lead off. Torres greatest strength is his on base ability.
Where do you slot him with out upsetting the Apple Cart

I’d put Torres 9th until he proves otherwise. No problem with having a 2nd leadoff hitter for when the lineup turns.

+1

[rbirules]

The reality is that Churchy is just an all-around better MLB CF than VS2. Honestly, the only thing that VS2 best Church in is probably straight-out speed. Church has more power, better hitter, better on base, better arm, equal base runner, and equal defense.

I am to the point where I would put Church out there every day against both hands and let him have a true audition. VS2 could play in Memphis and try to salvage things.

Bring Torres up in his place and see if his on-base tool plays at the MLB level.

+1

Swap VS2 and Torres and see how they do.

[Shady]

There’s just not enough offense with Scott and it seems Church is an excellent defensive outfielder. Eventually Noot will be back in LF. Baez could also be an excellent outfielder. Scott can bunt and play great defense. Church reminds me a bit of Donovan.

Baez isn’t ready I say give Torres a shot at left and church in center with Scott being the fourth outfielder until noot comes back

Baez had a good game last night. He had two hits including his 4th home run. Torres had two more hits and has a .380 BA.

[renostl]

article in Post today by Goold on Scott 'Cardinals commit to 'reps' for struggling Scott


Won't copy/paste the entire article as some can read it in entireity .. For those who cannot , some excerpts :

In the midst of the slump, Scott is getting more than words of encouragement.

He’ll continue to get at-bats, his manager said.

“When everyone is getting the reps that are needed,” manager Oli Marmol said, “I don’t think (changing playing time) is that big of a discussion.”
Marmol said he doesn’t expect to rewrite the rotation of outfielders he’s used in the season’s first month and that both Nathan Church and Scott will continue to see regular starts, with Scott as the everyday center fielder. Marmol said he might remove a player from the lineup if a slump appears mentally draining or worsening.

For now, they’ll use the playing time in the outfield while they have it. Lars Nootbaar is a month away from returning from the 60-day injured list, and at that point, the competition for playing time in center could tighten.
“They’re both in a position where they’re trying to settle in and figure out how to sustain success,” Marmol said of Scott and Church.

Throughout spring, Scott improved upon his ability to flip trends of the previous year. He wanted to avoid the ground balls to the right side and the flare fly balls to left field. Those habits have crept back into his game in part because opponents are pitching him in a way that invites those outcomes. In the third inning Tuesday, Scott hit a ground ball down the first base line that he could not outrun before the pitcher tagged him out.

“They’re going to pitch you for you to do exactly that,” Marmol said. “They’re going to force you to pound it into the ground pull-side, where your legs don’t matter. And if you’re going up and away, where it’s a fly ball. It’s understanding how to combat that. That’s why more reps are key.”

Marmol said he and his staff have started a “deep dive” on Scott’s start the season. The goal is to identify more than areas of adjustments but also an order of “attack.”

Reading between the lines , I would say Scott has this next month to turn things around . If not, when Noot returns his playing time will probabl be greatly reduced as Noot would be given starts in LF and Church would certainly get his starts in CF so Scott becomes 4th OF .
In my mind, he would be utililized mostly as pinch runner and possibly late in games , they may remove Noot from LF , move Church from CF to LF and insert Scott in CF for defensive speed upgrade for final inning or two if they have a good lead OR if Noot is not scheduled to come up to bat any more.

Didn't we see enough of Scott last year? He's the same guy this year, a guy who can track fly balls but has trouble with grounders, and has no arm. He hits the ball in the air too much and seldom makes hard contact and strikes out too often. It's hard to believe the Cards cannot find anyone better, they obviously see something most fans don't.

Regardless, if they are true to their utterance Nootbaar is affecting this tryout period.
JW's early showing has taken the 3rd spot, with Nootbaar, this is probably the roster until June
unless injury or a Nootbaar setback.

Torres is receiving mention, I'd add Prieto to the conversation and use some kind of
combination of Fermin, Urias, Nootbaar, Saggese for bullpen/pitching help, it will always be needed.

[cosmo.kramer]

Church OPS two hundred points higher than Scott

[renostl]

Church OPS two hundred points higher than Scott

You think that places any pressure on VS?

That .670 is 200 points higher than Saggese too, 100 points higher than Pages.

[Cusecards]

Lots of questions to be answered in 2026......hopefully!
My interest in Scott has always centered around his defense.....and......if he ever does get on base....the ability to steal!
Church looks the part defensively.
If he hits give him the job!

[Talkin' Baseball]

Lots of questions to be answered in 2026......hopefully!
My interest in Scott has always centered around his defense.....and......if he ever does get on base....the ability to steal!
Church looks the part defensively.
If he hits give him the job!

If he hits, he'll earn it!

[Strummer Jones]

What's Torres' speed profile? He's definitely getting on base enough. But is he the type that can capitalize once he's on? Does he have base stealing speed, or at least enough awareness to take an extra base?

[renostl]

Lots of questions to be answered in 2026......hopefully!
My interest in Scott has always centered around his defense.....and......if he ever does get on base....the ability to steal!
Church looks the part defensively.
If he hits give him the job!

Speed is great. Wish the whole team could run like
a 1980's return. His speed is elite and his defense is as much a result
of that speed as any other aspect of his tools.
I'm not sure his defense is better than NC's if we include
arm and jump. I'd take both if they hit but think both project
best as CF bats. Anything higher is fantastic. Both achieving higher
close to miraculous.

[Cusecards]

Lots of questions to be answered in 2026......hopefully!
My interest in Scott has always centered around his defense.....and......if he ever does get on base....the ability to steal!
Church looks the part defensively.
If he hits give him the job!

Speed is great. Wish the whole team could run like
a 1980's return. His speed is elite and his defense is as much a result
of that speed as any other aspect of his tools.
I'm not sure his defense is better than NC's if we include
arm and jump. I'd take both if they hit but think both project
best as CF bats. Anything higher is fantastic. Both achieving higher
close to miraculous.

Church clearly has the superior arm!
Even if Scott does cover more ground Church’s better arm makes it a wash.
Scott may steal more bases but if never gets on base the point is moot.
Let the competition begin.

[renostl]

Lots of questions to be answered in 2026......hopefully!
My interest in Scott has always centered around his defense.....and......if he ever does get on base....the ability to steal!
Church looks the part defensively.
If he hits give him the job!

Speed is great. Wish the whole team could run like
a 1980's return. His speed is elite and his defense is as much a result
of that speed as any other aspect of his tools.
I'm not sure his defense is better than NC's if we include
arm and jump. I'd take both if they hit but think both project
best as CF bats. Anything higher is fantastic. Both achieving higher
close to miraculous.

Church clearly has the superior arm!
Even if Scott does cover more ground Church’s better arm makes it a wash.
Scott may steal more bases but if never gets on base the point is moot.
Let the competition begin.

Savant has them both with an FRV of 1 in the early season SSS.
VS with 178 innings and NC with 134.

In feet vs average in "Jump" VS comes in at #25 in MLB with 1.5 among qualified.
NC is yet to have enough 2 star are harder opportunities.

[2ninr]

Lots of questions to be answered in 2026......hopefully!
My interest in Scott has always centered around his defense.....and......if he ever does get on base....the ability to steal!
Church looks the part defensively.
If he hits give him the job!

Speed is great. Wish the whole team could run like
a 1980's return. His speed is elite and his defense is as much a result
of that speed as any other aspect of his tools.
I'm not sure his defense is better than NC's if we include
arm and jump. I'd take both if they hit but think both project
best as CF bats. Anything higher is fantastic. Both achieving higher
close to miraculous.

Church clearly has the superior arm!
Even if Scott does cover more ground Church’s better arm makes it a wash.
Scott may steal more bases but if never gets on base the point is moot.
Let the competition begin.

Church is just now getting his chance and he has been hitting much better. I expect him to take that cf job if Scott doesnt start hitting when Noot shows he's ready to play.