The Baltimore Wire
Fansided

Can Baltimore Orioles’ Schoop, Jays’ Travis overtake Pedroia at second base?

By Nate Wardle

Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) reacts after scoring a run during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 3, 2016; Seattle, WA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) reacts after scoring a run during the fourth inning against the Seattle Mariners at Safeco Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-USA TODAY Sports /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 5
Next
Feb 26, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees third base coach Joe Espada (53) congratulates Starlin Castro (14) as he rounds third base after hitting a three run homer in the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 26, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; New York Yankees third base coach Joe Espada (53) congratulates Starlin Castro (14) as he rounds third base after hitting a three run homer in the second inning of a baseball game against the Toronto Blue Jays during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Butch Dill-USA TODAY Sports /

4. New York Yankees

Yankees’ second basemen – Starlin Castro, Ronald Torreyes, Rob Refsnyder, Jorge Mateo

I have always thought of Starlin Castro as a good player. However, I can’t rate him ahead of either Devon Travis or Jonathan Schoop, mainly because of the power they bring in addition to strong defense, although Castro had a little power himself last year.

Castro hit .270/.300/.433 with 21 HRs, 29 2Bs, 70 RBIs and 63 runs. Castro has never been a high on-base player and also struck out 118 times.

Last season, Castro finished with a 1.2 WAR, combining a -0.3 dWAR with a 2.1 WAR offensively. The other defensive sabermetrics are not great, with the range well below league average and a negative number for defensive runs saved. Castro made 12 errors in 2016, second most in the AL, and errors have always been a problem dating back to his days at shortstop for the Chicago Cubs.

Torreyes and Refsnyder will battle for the utility spot, and both are capable of it. Refsnyder hit .250/.328/.309 in 175 plate appearances, while Torreyes hit .258/.305/.374 in 169 plate appearances.

Mateo is one of the top prospects in a stacked Yankees’ system and can play SS and 2B. I don’t think he is quite ready for the majors yet, but I would expect him to be a September call-up if he doesn’t knock on the door before that.

Home/Baltimore Orioles