Jonathan Schoop: Future Big League Star?

[Tony-OH]

Tony, do you believe that Schoop is the real reason that Hoes is not playing 2b at Bowie? That they feel Schoop is their 2B of the future but they like Hoes bat and are trying to find a place for him?

I'm under the impression that they moved Hoes mainly because they just felt he was never going to be that good at second base and they wanted him to focus on his hitting. He was mainly an outfielder in high school so I think they felt he would relax more in his natural position. Considering the way he has hit of late, I'd say that was a good move. Hoes right now is probably the left fielder of the future.

As for Schoop, it appears they are really starting to like him at 2B and obviously his bat plays very well there. From what I've seen with him, he's pretty fluid to his right but struggles on some balls to his left. He's got plenty of arm and the hands look pretty soft to me. Right now, he's got to be considered the Orioles second baseman of the future.

[Tony-OH]

RVAbird's right on, but I'll go more in-depth:

Work ethic - Schoop would win Bud Foster's "Lunchpail award" if he was a defensive football player at Virginia Tech. The kid works his tail off in the field, during BP and in the cage to get better.

Schoop and Machado for that matter just bring so much youthful energy into that clubhouse and have good attitudes. They playfully talk trash with one another, Schoop makes fun of the media attention Manny gets during some post-game interviews by coming over and mocking him playfully. He's maybe not a clubhouse leader, being one of the youngest guys on the team, but the clubhouse definitely respects him for his talents on the field and at the plate. Schoop is definitely a likeable guy, very easy-going and personable.

Watching Schoop and Manny in the middle infield, they are a well-oiled machine making Webgems almost on a nightly basis both as a double play unit and of course on an individual basis. They just "click" as Schoop says and they are good friends on and off the field. They definitely get along well.

Just to add what one seasoned scout told me when watching them, "That's the way future big leaguers are supposed to look out there."

[Frobby]

I'd take 6-7 years of Trammell and Whitaker. How about you?

What a fantastic analogy. Instead of 6-7 years, can we make it 18 years, like they did?

[kenlmahan]

A completely untrained and unprofessional observation, but as a half-season plan ticket holder at Delmarva for several years now, IMO we had our best middle infield in years this season. The two did seem to work well together and did not commit the s**tload of errors we have come to expect from our middle infields. Coincidentally, the team's record did begin going steadily downhill after they left.

[lovetoaster]

They get along very well and Schoop, it seems to me, is about as likeable a guy as you'll see playing pro ball. They are both kind of goofballs personality-wise but also very level headed when it's time to play. They both have the kind of make-up you like to see.

A friend of mine is a GM for a Carolina League club and he raved all year about how nice and well mannered the Keys were, especially Machado, Schoop and Bundy. He has also mentioned on a few occasions that both Machado and Schoop have all the tools to be very successful at the big league level. That they have things that they both need to work on, but from what he has seen, he thinks they have what it takes to get there.

[MikeAD]

Machado and Schoop both definitely show the signs of having what it takes to become good major league players. I especially like their demeanor during the game. From the several games I've seen this year and friends involved with different Carolina league teams I have seen the way they discuss plays between innings, both defensive and individual at-bats. They both have made great adjustments already, I just hope they can continue to progress.

[Frobby]

Machado faded quite a bit at the end of the season, whereas Schoop played some of his best baseball towards the end. Hopefully they'll both be sharp in the playoffs.

I wonder if they will start at Bowie next year, or whether the Orioles will have them stay in Frederick for another few months.

[eb45]

Depends who plays second in Baltimore. If Adams gets the job (or makes the club at all), I'd imagine Miclat goes to Norfolk, and Schoop to Bowie. I doubt Florimon blocks Machado if they think he's ready, but they might hold him back to keep him with Schoop.

[MikeAD]

Depends who plays second in Baltimore. If Adams gets the job (or makes the club at all), I'd imagine Miclat goes to Norfolk, and Schoop to Bowie. I doubt Florimon blocks Machado if they think he's ready, but they might hold him back to keep him with Schoop.

No way they are worried about depth here. They will move them along at the pace they want regardless of where Adams is.

[eb45]

If they were both clearly ready then I would agree with you, but considering there are arguments to be made for both promoting them and leaving them in Frederick, I think it could come down to whether or not promoting them would block a potential future MLer.

[AVencill]

Anyone know if he was wearing a brace or anything for extra stability on the knee?

Yes, I have seen him wear one of those ace bandage type wraps around his knee for extra support. It seems like he's wearing it now just as extra protection in case something freaky like that would happen again and no, it doesn't seem like it bothers him in any way.