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Bausch

Mark Bausch
St. Louis Sports Online
editor@stlsports.com


As Tax Day Approaches--The Most Significant 2025 At-Bat I've Seen...

April 14

...is depicted here [graphic from mlb.com], and occurred on April 12, 2025:



The outcome of the at-bat?

On the 95th (and last) pitch thrown by Phillies 6'6" lefty Carlos Sanchez, Victor Scott II [VS2] hit a medium line drive over the head of Phillies SS Trea Turner, where it was fielded cleanly (on a couple of hops) by LF Brandon Marsh.

Presumably Phillies manager Rob Thomson allowed Sanchez to face VS2 because of the lefty-lefty match-up; after Scott's single Thomas removed Sanchez to face (righthanded) Thomas Saggese.

So what stood out as VS2 hit a medium liner to left, on Sanchez' final pitch of the game?

Not the exit velicity (82 mph), not the distance (227 feet) and not the launch angle (20 degrees).

What was truly impressive was the way VS2 held his ground against the seventh-inning mid-90s pitches thrown by Sanchez, a 2024 All Star who would be a #1 or #2 starter on virtually every big league team's pitching staff.

Rest assured that the video jockeys and advance scouts for other MLB teams took note of Scott's hit vs Sanchez; the man is not an easy out against even the best lefties.

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A cherished Busch II memory is one that recalls Padres OF Tony Gwynn, during batting practice, serving line drive after line drive to left field--literally a half-dozen or so in succession--several times within a single BP session!

Basically, Victor Scott II, at game speed, mimicked Gwynn, who earned a plaque in Cooperstown, when he singled to left field.

But there is more to the offensive tool set possessed by VS2 than 'slap' hitting to left field:




As the defensive anchor (in CF) of a youthful Cardinals outfield, Scott, LF Lars Nootbaar and RF Jordan Walker comprise an interesting part of the unfolding 2025 season, a part worth watching.

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