Schoop, Bascom take home O's minor league awards

The Orioles today announced the winners of their player development and scouting awards for 2011, including infielder Jonathan Schoop as the club's top minor league player and right-hander Tim Bascom as the club's top minor league pitcher. The winners will be honored before the Orioles' game against the Boston Red Sox tonight at Camden Yards. Schoop, the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year, hit a combined .290 with 13 home runs, 71 RBI and a .781 OPS in 128 games with Single-A Delmarva (51G) and Frederick (77G). The 19-year-old played second base, third base and shortstop this season and was named the Orioles Minor League Player of the Month for August. He was named the Carolina League Player of the Week (August 8-14) and participated in this year's Futures Game in Arizona as the Orioles' representative on the World Team. Signed by the Orioles as a non-drafted free agent in August of 2008, Schoop will represent the Netherlands at this year's International Baseball Federation World Cup competition, which will be held in Panama. Bascom, the Jim Palmer Minor League Pitcher of the Year, went 10-4 with a 2.97 ERA (136.1IP, 45ER) in 30 games (18 starts) for Class-A Frederick (1G/1GS) and Double-A Bowie (29G/17GS). His 2.97 ERA was the second best in the organization and his 117 strikeouts ranked fourth. Bascom finished in the top five in the Eastern League in ERA (3.11 - fourth) and WHIP (1.13 - third). The Orioles' fourth round selection in the 2007 First Year Player Draft, Bascom was also named to the Western Division roster for the EL All-Star Game. Left-hander Cameron Roth has been named this year's recipient of the Elrod Hendricks Minor League Community Service Award. Roth made various appearances to schools and local libraries while playing for Delmarva this season and was often seen signing autographs for fans before and after Shorebirds games. The 22-year old was the Orioles' 29th round selection in the 2010 First Year Player Draft. Frederick Keys Manager Orlando Gomez was named winner of the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award, presented to a minor league staff member who exemplifies the qualities of the late Oriole who is regarded as the architect of "The Oriole Way". Gomez completed his second season with the Keys (seventh with the Orioles and 48th in professional baseball), guiding the club to their fourth Carolina League championship and best record in franchise history (80-59) this season. Gomez has guided Frederick to the playoffs in both of his seasons and is the winningest manager in Keys history, with a mark of 152-127 (.545). Northeast Regional Crosschecker Dean Albany was presented the Jim Russo Scout of the Year Award, named in honor of the man who spent 33 years in various scouting capacities with the Orioles beginning with their move from St. Louis in 1954. Albany completed his 12th season as a scout and three of his signed selections (Steven Bumbry, Mike Flacco and Glynn Davis) contributed to the Frederick Keys' championship season. He also signed 10 players from the 2008 draft, including third rounder LJ Hoes and fifth rounder Greg Miclat. In addition to his scouting coverage, Albany supervises Youse's Maryland Orioles, the 20-year old and under college scout team for the Orioles. The Orioles will also recognize the Frederick Keys championship club and these members of the organization, rewarded for their outstanding work this season: * Pat Armstrong (Strength and Conditioning Coach, Delmarva Shorebirds), who was named South Atlantic League Co-Strength Coach of the Year in his first season with Delmarva (2nd season in the organization). * Mark Shires (Head Athletic Trainer, Norfolk Tides), who was named International League Trainer of the Year for the second time (also 2009) in his fifth season with Norfolk (12th season in the organization). He is currently representing the Orioles as the athletic trainer for the Mesa Solar Sox in the Arizona Fall League.