The guy I keep waiting for: Schoop

[clapdiddy]

This one seemed the best choice to bump.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>At Bowie Baysox event Jonathan Schoop said he dropped a few pounds this winter. Wants to be quicker in field & on bases.</p>— Steve Melewski (@masnSteve) <a href="

">January 30, 2015</a></blockquote>

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As someone who has been concerned this, to me, was welcome news.

Sounds like Mr. Schoop is serious about becoming a better player. Very good to hear.

[Can_of_corn]

Sounds like Mr. Schoop is serious about becoming a better player. Very good to hear.

I think he has power to spare.

[clapdiddy]

I think he has power to spare.

Yup. Those couple he hit in back to back games were MAMMOTH shots. They looked like shots Vlad would have hit in his prime.

[BergerKing]

I am sticking with my he will be a .250 20 HR guy .

[33rdst]

I am sticking with my he will be a .250 20 HR guy .

This year or for his career?

[LookitsPuck]

Needs to drop those Ks and up that OBP. He was awful last year except for when he hit a homer.

[Can_of_corn]

Needs to drop those Ks and up that OBP. He was awful last year except for when he hit a homer.

Or was playing defense.

[weams]

Needs to drop those Ks and up that OBP. He was awful last year except for when he hit a homer.

Or when he played infield linebacker. He's good. Even if you don't like his youthful free swinging.

[TheOrangeBirds]

<iframe width="854" height="510" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/v828jrBSqzA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

He's gonna be a lot better in 2015.

[LookitsPuck]

Or was playing defense.

Sorry, was just talking about offense.

[tntoriole]

Jonathan is going to be the most improved Oriole offensively in 2015. He will be a force in years to come.

[Can_of_corn]

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/01/jonathan-schoop-plans-to-be-lighter-and-faster-in-2015-plus-fanfest-notes.html

Encouraging comments.

"Be patient. Don't chase too many pitches. Let them throw strikes and swing at strikes. Just have to work on getting better pitches to hit. See how they pitch you. If I can do that, I'll be better," he said.

He ended the 2014 season at 228 pounds and is 224 now. He wants to get to 215 to 220 for the season.

[Ohfan67]

http://www.masnsports.com/steve-melewski/2015/01/jonathan-schoop-plans-to-be-lighter-and-faster-in-2015-plus-fanfest-notes.html

Encouraging comments.

It's the season for positive comments, impressions, etc. From now until about the third week of spring training it will be feel good blurb after feel good blurb. Not criticizing, just pointing out that it's now that time of the season.

I hope he improves and expect some improvement, but four pounds for a relatively large, very young baseball player is not exactly a major body change.

[Can_of_corn]

It's the season for positive comments, impressions, etc. From now until about the third week of spring training it will be feel good blurb after feel good blurb. Not criticizing, just pointing out that it's now that time of the season.

I hope he improves and expect some improvement, but four pounds for a relatively large, very young baseball player is not exactly a major body change.

I did say "encouraging" I don't think I was setting expectations overly high. Not sure how you can read the blurb about him knowing he has to be more selective and not think it encouraging. Of course him saying that in January isn't a guarantee that results will carry into the regular season.

The ongoing concern for Schoop is that he will outgrow second base. Since that is the concern him coming in lower at all is a positive. I would have been satisfied with him just maintaining the weight he had from last season.

[Frobby]

When he starts using all fields, he'll be a pretty dangerous hitter but I think Manny has a much better swing.

Agreed. I like Schoop, but Manny has far more potential.