Schoop riding own path to stardom with Orioles
player at the position. Schoop hit his 18th homer Saturday, but did so as a shortstop.
In an Orioles lineup decimated by injuries and inconsistency, Schoop has remained consistent, which is undoubtedly the biggest improvement in his game.
Schoop fits the Orioles’ power-packed lineup in that he’s going to be aggressive and hit for power. He recently moved up into the No. 3 spot in the batting order after spending most of his career in the lower part of the lineup. But this season he has shown more patience, and because of that, his walk total (19) is already just two off of last year’s season total (21) and his .349 on-base percentage is 54 points higher than his career mark. Not only is Schoop holding back on pitches he can’t do damage with, he’s also taking advantage of the ones he can by shortening up his swing.
“You see it with a lot of good hitters,” Orioles designated hitter Mark Trumbo said. “His pitch selection has really improved quite a bit. He’s laying off a lot of pitches in the dirt, but more than anything, what makes a hitter successful is not missing the pitches he does get. And one thing I think he’s done an excellent job [at], he’s been on time — when he does get a pitch to hit, he puts it in play. When he does get a good pitch to hit, he’s going to hit it pretty hard. If you watch, he’s done an excellent job with his timing. It makes it really tough on the pitcher because he can handle both the fastball and he’s a good breaking ball hitter, too. If he lays off those pitcher’s pitches, you really have no choice but to come to him. I think that’s one thing I’ve seen this year.” extended family members have been able to watch Schoop play, and his contingent in the players’ family section of Camden Yards is regularly one of the largest. This year, an uncle on his father’s side had the opportunity to watch Schoop play for the first time.
“That’s how close we are. I don’t have to get a hotel for anybody,” Schoop said. “We find a way to sleep, we find a way to get along. … When my uncles get to see me, they tell me, ‘That’s the best thing I’ve seen in my life.’ That makes me proud. That makes me happy.”
Coming up through the Orioles organization, Schoop played in the shadow of Machado, who was the team’s can’t-miss first-round draft pick the year after Schoop signed. They both played shortstop, and they competed for the starting shortstop position going into the 2011 season at Low-A Delmarva. Machado won out, and Schoop moved to third, but also saw time at short. As Machado’s star grew, the Orioles still debated where Schoop would fit in, and he eventually settled in at second base. When Machado received his big league call-up in August 2012, it served as motivation that Schoop too could make it to the majors.
“I said to myself, ‘You know, I’ve got a chance here if I work hard and do my thing to make the big leagues and do more,’ ” Schoop said. “It was good competition with Manny. He helped me out because I got better by playing with him. I think for sure he got better playing with me. … It was always together, ‘Let’s help each other get better.’”
And now Machado can’t be happier to see Schoop become an All-Star.
“I’m beyond excited,” Machado said. “I know how much he’s worked to get here and all the struggles he’s been through just to get to the big leagues, and now just the opportunity to represent his country, represent himself, represent himself and his family in the All-Star Game, it’s unbelievable. I can’t be more excited that he’s going to be able to participate in it and enjoy it. … And to finally see what he’s turning into as a player, it’s unbelievable to watch — as a hitter, as a second baseman, just his overall play. He’ll take walks when he needs to take.
“His game has gone to another level and finally other players and teams and coaches are finally seeing it and giving him a chance to represent this organization and represent himself in a good way.” initially because of the way he patrols second base for a player with a 6-foot-1 frame. Ripken notices the little things that can be easily overlooked. For example, Schoop’s positioning on the bag, the efficient way he tags runners and a double-play pivot — the way he bears down on the bag and rifles a throw to first — that Ripken said is unparalleled in the game.
“You’re sitting there and you’re looking at some of this young talent in the game and because Jonathan doesn’t go out there and fly all over the yard per se, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t notice the good things that happen,” Ripken said. “Is he one of those guys who you have to watch every day a little bit more maybe than somebody else to truly appreciate him? I’ll give you that, but the fact is when you do watch it and if you don’t appreciate it, you’re not watching the right stuff.”
While this is Schoop’s first All-Star Game, Ripken said he doesn’t see how the Orioles second baseman won’t remain in the conversation in years to come.
“I don’t see why we don’t have him in the perennial All-Star consideration,” Ripken said. “You think about where he is and what he’s doing and you can almost, you can see his confidence at home plate. If you could see almost an aura bubble around him, you can see that he’s a little bit different looking right now because I think he’s recognizing pitches well.
“Is there any reason we can’t think about him hitting 25-30 every single year and 90-100 RBIs? Because I think he’s put himself in a spot in the lineup where he’s going to have some opportunities, so I think the perennial All-Star conversation as one of the best second basemen in the league should be talked about in regards of his future and not be overlooked.”