Red Sox vs the AL East: second basemen
By Conor Duffy
Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman Jonathan Schoop (6) makes a throw against the Detroit Tigers during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
3. Jonathan Schoop, Orioles
A former top prospect for the Orioles, Schoop is coming off his first full season in Baltimore, spent as the team’s primary second baseman. But while Schoop did show slashes of brilliance, his season was a disappointment on the whole as he slashed .209/.244/.354 with 16 home runs in 137 games. Still, Schoop will be just 23 years old for the upcoming season and it’s easy to imagine him improving this season. The best way for Schoop to accomplish this would be to cut down on his strikeouts (25.4% last season) and greatly improve his walk rate (2.7%), letting him do work with his plus power. It might take Schoop a few years to come into his own, but with his youth, the Orioles should be able to wait.