Jonathan Schoop

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #5 prospect in 2014
  Schoop's brother Sharlon preceded him in pro ball with the Giants and signed as a minor league free agent with Baltimore in November. The younger Schoop was the Orioles' 2011 minor league player of the year and has become a stalwart on Dutch national teams. A stress fracture in his lower back limited him to 70 games at Triple-A Norfolk, but he was healthy enough to make his major league debut Sept. 25, homering off Kyle Drabek in his third at-bat. Schoop is a solid hitter who can use the whole field and shows good bat speed with average plate discipline. His middle-of-the-field approach allows him to stay square a long time, but sometimes his timing becomes inconsistent. The Orioles expect the leverage in his swing to grow into solid-average power. He projects to hit .270-.280 with 10-15 home runs a year. He needs to work on hitting offspeed pitches. A below-average runner, Schoop has first-step quickness to go with good hands and a plus arm. He's capable of playing second base, shortstop and third and appears best suited for second. Schoop could be the future second baseman for the Orioles, but he's not ready for Opening Day 2014. He ought to begin the year at Triple-A, but his day as a potential offensive second baseman is coming.
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  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #3 prospect in 2013
  Throughout most of his minor league career, Schoop has been a double-play partner with Manny Machado. He played primarily second base before Machado's promotion to the big leagues, then saw time at shortstop afterward. In an organization not known for its international efforts, Schoop ranks as the system's headliner. Schoop showed flashes of brilliance in 2012 despite playing in Double-A at age 20 and battling tendinitis in both knees. He's an aggressive hitter who produces loud contact, but he has a bat wrap that causes timing issues and leaves him vulnerable to premium fastballs on the inner half. He needs to improve his pitch recognition to make the most of his above-average raw power. Though Schoop is a below-average runner, he has soft hands and works well around the bag. His plus arm will play anywhere in the infield. Depending on how his body fills out, he might be best suited for third base or an outfield corner, though he hasn't left the infield yet. The Orioles will continue developing Schoop at shortstop until he plays his way off the position. After making a trip to the Arizona Fall League, he figures to return to Double-A to open 2013, which will be an important developmental year. He was added to the 40-man roster in the offseason and has the potential to be an above-average everyday player.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #3 prospect in 2012
  Schoop emerged as a prospect in 2010, then enjoyed a true breakout season in 2011, playing alongside Manny Machado to give the Orioles a dynamic infield pairing. He hit .171 for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Panama in October but drove in the winning run with a single in the gold medal game against Cuba. Schoop started 2011 playing third base next to Machado in low Class A, then took over at shortstop when Machado got hurt. When both were at Frederick, Schoop played mostly second base. He has the arm and hands for any infield spot, and some club officials would argue he's a better shortstop than Machado. Schoop made great progress at second and turns the double play beautifully, though he may outgrow the middle infield. His bat should play anywhere, as he shows good bat speed and should have average power. He still has holes offensively, such as a tendency to swing at breaking balls out of the zone, but those are all correctable. He also shows great makeup. He's a slightly below-average runner. The Orioles like seeing Schoop and Machado together, but they may have both open the season playing shortstop if one of them shows his bat is ready for Double-A in spring training. In the long term, Schoop is most likely to end up at third base.
• 
  Ranked Baltimore Orioles #10 prospect in 2011
  After Schoop made his pro debut in 2009, he came Stateside and worked with Gulf Coast League hitting coach Milt May in extended spring training to refine his swing and approach. He earned a quick promotion from the GCL and hit the last homer in Bluefield Orioles history. Schoop was the most improved player in the system in 2010. He improved his bat speed and showed an ability to hit for average and spray the ball around the field, though he still has holes and is seeking his ideal swing mechanics. His gangly frame has started to fill out, and he could develop average home run power as he gets stronger. Schoop has good defensive instincts at shortstop, with agility, soft hands and a strong arm. His speed also got a boost as he improved his body control, though he'll be just an average runner. He's ready for full-season ball, though he may not have a spot to play at Delmarva if the Orioles send Manny Machado and Mychal Givens there. Schoop is built similarly to Machado but projects to be bigger and stronger, which could mean a move to third base or the outfield.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked International League #14 prospect in 2013
  Schoop showed surprising power in his first season at Triple-A, clubbing nine homers, all on the road away from Norfolk?s spacious Harbor Yard. He played 50 games at second base and 20 at shortstop, displaying good range and an above-average arm. ?He has good hands for a big man,? Montoyo said. ?I like him at second base.? Schoop gets around on fastballs, relying on quick wrists and brute strength. His pitch recognition is a work in progress, as you would expect from a younger player. Schoop?s arm strength will play on the left side of the infield, but he lacks to quickness to profile comfortably at shortstop or the hitting chops to hold down third base on a good team. Nevertheless, he will see time at the hot corner in the Arizona Fall League, as the Orioles prepare for the possibility of life without J.J. Hardy in 2014, which could mean Manny Machado at shortstop and a vacancy at third base.
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  Ranked Arizona Fall League #19 prospect in 2012
  Schoop, 21, followed up a modest season at Double-A Bowie with a strong AFL performance batting .270/.446/.429 in an impressive Solar Sox lineup. While his hit tool is still a bit raw, Schoop makes impressive loud contact and displays above-average power potential with plus bat speed and excellent strength in his hands and forearms. While he will likely have to move off shortstop, Schoop projects to be an adequate defender at third base, showing good instincts and arm strength.
• 
  Ranked Eastern League #14 prospect in 2012
  No matter what team he plays for or what position he plays, Schoop can't escape the shadow of teammate Manny Machado, top dog among Orioles position-player prospects and also in the EL. Schoop played second and third base alongside Machado at two Class A stops in 2011, and the two remained linked this season as double-play partners with Bowie. Schoop played second base prior to Machado's August callup and shortstop afterward. Scouts who like Schoop think he profiles as an offensive-oriented second baseman with power. Those who don't view him as an infield tweener who won't hit enough to play third base or field well enough to play up the middle. Schoop's compact righthanded swing produces loud contact, though he'll have to do a better job of not chasing breaking balls out of the zone--he hit.218/.291/.336 in 339 at-bats against EL righthanders--if he hopes to hit for average. He cracked a career-high 14 homers this season, and proponents see the strength and bat speed necessary to hit for plus power as he matures. Schoop's long-term prospects at shortstop appear dim because he's a lousy runner and non-factor on the bases. He has a chance to stick at second base, however, because of quick hands, a strong arm with a short stroke and a knack for turning the double play. Just three EL regulars made more plays per game at the keystone, but Schoop averaged just 3.77 plays per game at shortstop--well below Machado's exemplary rate of 4.41 and ranking next-to-last among those with at least 35 games at short.
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  Ranked Carolina League #6 prospect in 2011
  In deference to Machado, Schoop started the season playing third base at low Class A Delmarva. A knee injury to Machado in May and a promotion to Frederick for Schoop in June gave him a chance to move back to his natural shortstop position until Machado rejoined him with the Keys. From that point on, Schoop played second base almost exclusively. That versatility should serve Schoop well, as there's some debate whether he'll end up as a second baseman or third baseman in the long term. His actions may work better at the hot corner, where he has a strong arm and would still profile well as a hitter. Once he finishes filling out, Schoop should have above-average power. Like many young hitters, he's still working on recognizing breaking balls, but he shows promising bat speed and hand-eye coordination. He's a below-average runner.
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  Ranked South Atlantic League #9 prospect in 2011
  Schoop was only the second-best shortstop at Delmarva, but he's a talented player in his own right. He shifted to third base in deference to Machado, then played alongside him at second base after both were promoted to high Class A. "Machado was out when we played them, so I just thought he was a guy filling in," Daubach said. "I found out fast how wrong I was. Schoop can really play. He's an outstanding defensive player who can hit. I liked him as much as any player we saw this year. His upside is impressive." Schoop is adding strength and bat speed as his once-gangly frame matures, giving him the ability to drive more pitches. He has good command of the strike zone, too, and should hit enough to man second base, shortstop or third. His below-average speed (and the presence of Machado) probably rule out shortstop, but he has the offensive potential and arm strength required at the hot corner.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #82 prospect in 2012

• December, 2012 Scouting Report
  Background: Throughout most of his minor league career, Schoop has been a double-play partner with Manny Machado. He played primarily second base before Machado's promotion to the big leagues, then saw time at shortstop afterward. In an organization not known for its international efforts, Schoop ranks as the system's headliner. Scouting Report: Schoop showed flashes of brilliance in 2012 despite playing in Double-A at age 20 and battling tendinitis in both knees. He's an aggressive hitter who produces loud contact, but he has a bat wrap that causes timing issues and leaves him vulnerable to premium fastballs on the inner half. He needs to improve his pitch recognition to make the most of his above-average raw power. Though Schoop is a below-average runner, he has soft hands and works well around the bag. His plus arm will play anywhere in the infield. Depending on how his body fills out, he might be best suited for third base or an outfield corner, though he hasn't left the infield yet. The Future: The Orioles will continue developing Schoop at shortstop until he plays his way off the position. After making a trip to the Arizona Fall League, he figures to return to Double-A to open 2013, which will be an important developmental year. He has the potential to be an above-average everyday player.
• August, 2012 Scouting Report
  Schoop, 21, followed up a modest season at Double-A Bowie with a strong AFL performance batting .270/.446/.429 in an impressive Solar Sox lineup. While his hit tool is still a bit raw, Schoop makes impressive loud contact and displays above-average power potential with plus bat speed and excellent strength in his hands and forearms. While he will likely have to move off shortstop, Schoop projects to be an adequate defender at third base, showing good instincts and arm strength.
• December, 2011 Scouting Report
  Background: Schoop emerged as a prospect in 2010, then enjoyed a true breakout season in 2011, playing alongside Manny Machado to give the Orioles a dynamic infield pairing. He hit .171 for the Netherlands at the World Cup in Panama in October but drove in the winning run with a single in the gold medal game against Cuba. Scouting Report: Schoop started 2011 playing third base next to Machado in low Class A, then took over at shortstop when Machado got hurt. When both were at Frederick, Schoop played mostly second base. He has the arm and hands for any infield spot, and some club officials would argue he's a better shortstop than Machado. Schoop made great progress at second and turns the double play beautifully, though he may outgrow the middle infield. His bat should play anywhere, as he shows good bat speed and should have average power. He still has holes offensively, such as a tendency to swing at breaking balls out of the zone, but those are all correctable. He also shows great makeup. He's a slightly below-average runner. The Future: The Orioles like seeing Schoop and Machado together, but they may have both open the season playing shortstop if one of them shows his bat is ready for Double-A in spring training. In the long term, Schoop is most likely to end up at third base.