Schoop impresses in MLB debut

A day after the Baltimore Orioles were mathematically eliminated from a playoff berth in 2013 Buck Showalter made a few notable changes to his lineup card.

Steve Pearce manned first base with Chris Davis serving as the team’s designated hitter. Jason Pridie made his Orioles debut in center field in place of Adam Jones. Baltimore native Steve Clevenger was behind the plate doing the catching, playing in his first game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. But perhaps the inclusion that created the buzz was Jonathan Schoop, who made his major league debut at second base.

With Brian Roberts’ pending free agent status looming many Orioles fans have been clamoring for the 21-year old to be given a chance to show what he can do at the major league level. Having played 57 games at second base in 2013 and 88 there in 2012 it’s a position Schoop is certainly familiar with, but having been called up in early September (and in the middle of a playoff push) his opportunities were always going to be limited.

Those who followed the World Baseball Classic earlier this year got a glimpse of Schoop participating for the Kingdom of the Netherlands, for whom he hit .214/.313/.464 with a double, two home runs, and six RBI in eight games.

Most of Schoop’s time in the Orioles’ minor league system this year was spent with the Norfolk Tides (AAA), where he posted a .256/.301/.396 slash line over 70 games. He tallied 11 doubles, nine home runs, and 34 RBI in 270 at-bats. The right-handed Schoop batted .211/.273/.366 versus lefties and .271/.311/.407 with seven of his homers against righties.

On Wednesday the Orioles’ top position player prospect, according to MLB.com, made his much anticipated debut with the Birds, one he surely won’t forget.

In the third inning, Schoop recorded his first big league hit in his first plate appearance.

In the bottom of the sixth he did this.

Many have a love/hate relationship with MASN broadcaster Gary Thorne. Whichever side of the fence you reside you have to admit hearing him say, “Norfolk stand up!” as the ball sailed over the center field was pretty cool.

Schoop added a walk and finished the evening 2-for-3 at the plate with three runs scored.

This kind of performance definitely won’t quiet those who were asking to see more of Jonathan Schoop in a Baltimore Orioles uniform, and with five games remaining in the season they will probably have their wish granted.

Fans are greedy by nature when it comes to success. We can look no further than last season’s playoff appearance and the “thirst for more” it created around Birdland in 2013 as an example. The same can be said for players who burst onto the scene and Schoop’s first impression in orange & black on Wednesday will cause imaginations to run wild with endless possibilities. How many come to fruition remains to be seen, but after one game; so far, so good.