Can Baltimore Orioles’ Schoop, Jays’ Travis overtake Pedroia at second base?
By Nate Wardle
3. Baltimore Orioles
Orioles’ second basemen – Jonathan Schoop, Ryan Flaherty, Robert Andino, Johnny Giavotella
No one played in more games than Jonathan Schoop in 2016, as Schoop played all but three innings for the Orioles. Schoop put together a .267/.298/.454 slash line, with 25 HRs, 38 2Bs, 82 RBIs, 82 runs and 137 strikeouts.
The Orioles will take the power numbers but would like to see the second baseman become a little more patient and work on cutting down the strikeouts.
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As it seems to be with many Orioles, Schoop’s defense isn’t always noticed by the sabermetrics. He does have a 0.4 dWAR, but his dominant arm is his biggest strength. Not only can Schoop get to a lot at second, but he also has an arm to throw out runners that other players can’t, and turn double plays that many others can’t.
Schoop’s range is a plus for him, while the other metrics are middling. Schoop also only had eight errors in 2016, and the third best fielding percentage at the position.
Behind him, Flaherty, Andino, and Giavotella are battling for the utility spot. Most assume it is Flaherty’s to lose, as the other two guys are both on minor league deals. However, I don’t know that it is a done deal like some assume.