In a column for MASN Sports, Roch Kubatko reports that teams continue to inquire with the Orioles about second baseman Jonathan Schoop but the club is refusing to listen. Kubatko calls Schoop “the position player version of Kevin Gausman”. The Orioles had previously discussed potential deals with the Padres for outfielder Matt Kemp and starter Andrew Cashner but the two sides couldn’t come to an agreement.
Schoop, 24, won’t become eligible for arbitration until after the 2016 season and won’t hit free agency until after the 2019 season, so the Orioles still have plenty of affordable control of him. This past season, Schoop hit .279/.306/.482 with 15 home runs and 39 RBI in 321 plate appearances.
Schoop missed two and a half months between mid-April and early July during 2015 due to a PCL tear in his left knee and ended his season with a hand injury as he was hit by a pitch on October 1. The Orioles are hoping that, with a full and healthy season, Schoop can take the next step in his progression.
[graphiq id="3aplFzY86pv” title="Jonathan Schoop” width="600" height="503" url="https://w.graphiq.com/w/3aplFzY86pv” link="http://baseball-players.pointafter.com/l/14658/Jonathan-Schoop” link_text="Jonathan Schoop | PointAfter”]
