Even before Cardinals center fielder Peter Bourjos, a defensive replacement, rushed in to make a diving catch in the seventh inning of Sunday’s 4-1 win over Colorado, a veteran major league scout had said, “Peter Bourjos is the best center fielder I’ve seen in my 38 years of professional baseball.”

The scout was a former pitcher and also a former front office executive, so his words have credence. Blazing speed, vast range, arm strength and arm accuracy were some of the skills the scout ticked off as major attributes for Bourjos, acquired from the Los Angeles Angels last offseason.

Others locally may quibble with this scout’s choice inasmuch as former Cardinals star Jim Edmonds racked up eight Gold Gloves playing here and for the Angels while Bourjos, though he kept Mike Trout in left field when both played for the Angels, still has no gold on his mantel.

Suffice for Cardinals manager Mike Matheny to say, “(Bourjos) just makes it look easier than what it is. He loves to go out there and make those kinds of catches.

“He’s a plus-defender who can be a game-changer. He’s one of the best I’ve ever seen.”