Brewers Acquire Orioles’ Jonathan Schoop for Jonathan Villar, 2 Prospects

Image credit: Jonathan Schoop (Photo by Mark Goldman/Icon Sportswire/Getty Images)

After trading for Mike Moustakas over the weekend, the Brewers made another move Tuesday at the non-waiver trade deadline to fortify their infield. Milwaukee acquired Jonathan Schoop from Baltimore in exchange for righthander Luis Ortiz and infielders Jean Carmona and Jonathan Villar.

The Brewers enter Tuesday a game behind the Cubs in the National League Central and leading the wild card race at 62-47. Milwaukee already had a crowded infield after acquiring Moustakas and shoehorning Travis Shaw at second base. Schoop has primarily played second base, but also has experience on the left side of the infield, giving the Brewers options.

BREWERS ACQUIRE:

Jonathan Schoop, 2B
Age: 26

Schoop was an All-Star in 2017 and hit .293/.338/.503 with 32 home runs. He this season has not come close to matching that production and is hitting .244/.273/.447 with 17 home runs. Still, he provides another powerful bat for the Brewers’ offense and a steady hand in the infield. He won’t hit free agency until after the 2019 season and brings playoff experience to the young Brew Crew.

ORIOLES ACQUIRE:

Luis Ortiz, RHP
Age: 22

Ortiz entered the season as the Brewers’ No. 6 prospect and moved up to No. 4 in the midseason update as he repeats Double-A. He has been bothered by injuries over the last two years, ever since the Brewers acquired the big righty as a part of the 2016 deal that sent Jonathan Lucroy to the Rangers. Listed at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds, Ortiz has a powerful fastball that he’ll run up to the mid-90s. He has always pitched with solid control and repeats his delivery well but will need to refine his offspeed stuff to continue his progression and realize his potential as a middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Jean Carmona, INF
Age: 18

The Brewers signed Carmona out of the Dominican Republic in 2016 and he reached the Arizona League the next year during his professional debut. He’s playing this season as an 18-year-old in the Rookie-level Pioneer League, where he’s hitting .239/.298/.406. He has mostly played shortstop since signing but has also gotten work at both second and third base. His hands and above-average arm strength give him a chance to stay at shortstop. Carmona is a switch hitter and has some bat speed that may portend some power as he grows into his 6-foot-1 frame.

Jonathan Villar, INF
Age: 27

Villar has spent the last three seasons with the Brewers since they acquired him in November 2015 from the Astros. He led baseball with 62 stolen bases the following season but has not been as productive over the last two years. He this year is hitting .261/.315/.377 and has been on the disabled list with a thumb injury for the last two weeks. Villar offers plenty of versatility, having appeared at five different positions during his big league career. He won’t hit free agency until after the 2020 season.