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Baltimore Orioles: Jonathan Schoop Soars in AL East Second Base Rankings

By Nate Wardle

Sep 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) cannot catch the ball to make the force out on Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) in the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 21, 2016; Baltimore, MD, USA; Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (15) cannot catch the ball to make the force out on Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) in the third inning at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /
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Logan Forsythe
Sep 12, 2016; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Tampa Bay Rays second baseman Logan Forsythe (11) hits a single during the first inning in a game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Nick Turchiaro-USA TODAY Sports /

4. Tampa Bay Rays – Logan Forsythe, Tim Beckham, Steve Pearce

Preseason prediction: 3rd, Forsythe, Pearce, Beckham, Ryan Brett

My concern with the Rays was whether Logan Forsythe could continue his success from 2015.

And in all honesty, the results were quite good. Forsythe did miss some time due to injury but overall hit a .264/.333/.444 clip with 20 HRs, 24 2Bs, 52 RBIs and 76 runs from the top of the order.

The WAR metrics again loved Forsythe, giving him an oWAR over 3 and a positive dWAR. His range numbers were not as good, being below league average after being above average in 2015. However, he only made nine errors at the position, so it was another very solid year.

Tim Beckham had his best showing as a major leaguer, despite hitting just below .250. However, there were some issues with the mentality of Beckham, which has been a continued issue for the first overall pick in the 2008 draft. Beckham looks like nothing more than a utility infielder at this point.

Steve Pearce hit well for the Rays in his limited time before being injured and traded to the Orioles, as I predicted he would in my preview.

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