Sharlon Schoop Stats & Scouting Report

AB	3065
AVG	.245
OBP	.314
SLG	.341
HR	46

Full name Sharlon Romans Emederio Schoop
Born 04/15/1987 in
Profile Ht.: 6'2" / Wt.: 190 / Bats: R / Throws: R

Top Rankings

Organization Prospect Rankings

Schoop is coming off a so-so year and his timing couldn't have been worse, considering the sudden competition among middle infielders in the Giants system. Schoop doesn't have Brian Bocock's playmaking abilities, Emmanuel Burriss' speed or Nick Noonan's advanced bat control, but he remains a young and intriguing prospect with a nice balance of tools. Schoop began as a shortstop, has nice hands and is considered above average defensively. But his range and arm strength don't grade out as high as others in the system, so he'll probably get most of his opportunities at second base in the future. The Giants believe in Schoop's power but he didn't show it last season, posting a .301 slugging percentage in 41 games in low Class A before a demotion to short-season Salem-Keizer. His hitting mechanics began to unravel toward the end of the year as he began dipping his shoulder. If he stays upright, he could have 20-homer potential. Schoop will have to fight for playing time with Noonan and Charlie Culberson this season, as the 2007 supplemental first-round picks figure to be the starting double-play combination in low Class A. Schoop may have to be a utilityman in 2008.
Not long ago, the Giants considered Schoop the second-best defensive infielder in the organization, behind only Omar Vizquel. But after taking several impressive college shortstops in the 2006 draft, the Giants have no reason to rush the Curacao native up the ladder. They even moved him to second base during instructional league because of arm fatigue. Schoop repeated the Arizona League as a 19-year-old, and while the Giants expected improvement at the plate, they didn't expect him to hit .421 over his first 17 games, including hitting for the cycle in a game. Schoop finished with a .310 average and continued to show advanced plate discipline. He drew 26 walks against 15 strikeouts and his .437 on-base percentage ranked fifth in the league. Still just a teenager, the Giants project he'll hit for power as he continues to mature. The Giants like his hands and lateral quickness, but were puzzled when he started making inaccurate throws across the diamond. Wherever he reports in 2007--likely Salem-Keizer after another stint in extended spring training--Schoop will be missing his best pal. The Giants traded countryman Shairon Martis to the Nationals for Mike Stanton last summer.

Minor League Top Prospects

Last year, AZL observers usually linked Schoop to fellow Curacao native Shairon Martis. With Martis traded to the Nationals, Schoop was on his own, and he's probably the best defensive player in the Giants system. Managers believed that he could hold his own defensively in the majors with his strong arm, excellent range and reliable hands. The Giants had Schoop repeat Rookie ball, however, because his bat needed work. He still needs to add strength to get through a full season, as he wore down late, but he learned to work counts, recognize breaking balls better and run the bases more efficiently. The Giants believe he has some power potential, but his offensive approach isn't consistent enough to take advantage of it.
Schoop, whose brother Jonathan was the No. 2 pitcher on the Curacao team that won the 2004 Little League World Series, is so advanced defensively that only Omar Vizquel is regarded as a better pure shortstop in the Giants system. He has the whole package for the position, with smooth actions, soft hands and quick feet. He has outstanding instincts, plays with confidence and led AZL shortstops with a .971 fielding percentage. He plays with flair and is an exciting player to watch. Schoop still has a ways to go with the bat, though he has a good handle on strike-zone discipline. He should get stronger and add power as he fills out his wiry frame.