Taking nothing for granted, Jonathan Schoop keeps working to get better

SARASOTA, Fla. - It seems there is one person here who is not convinced that Jonathan Schoop will make the Orioles' opening day roster. It's Jonathan Schoop.

He said he has not changed his spring approach a bit and is playing in the Florida sun as if he's competing for an opening day job.

"I don't know if I'm a regular," Schoop said this week. "I have to go in there, do my job and play hard. Still trying to make the team, that is how I approach it. It wouldn't matter if I have five or 10 years here. I just play like I have to make the team. Even now, I feel the pressure. I have to make the team."

Seems there is a good chance he will make this team. Had Schoop had 600 at-bats last season, his projected stats would have included 29 homers and 77 RBIs.

This spring, he picked up where he left off. He is batting .400 (14-for-35) with two homers, eight RBIs and a .629 slugging percentage. Schoop, who hit a three-run homer Wednesday against Pittsburgh, is making the trip north to Tampa tonight. He'll be at second base and bat second against the Yankees.

This winter, the process to work to get better carried on.

"I worked on everything," Schoop said. "I want to be a better player than I was last year. Be stronger. Try to play through the whole year. Work on almost everything. You have to get better everywhere, not just in one specific area."

Schoop said he is playing at the same weight as last year, but his body fat is lower and he is a bit leaner. The upper body strength that allows him to drive the ball a long way is still very evident.

Some feel Schoop could hit 30 homers over a full season. He is not ready to go there.

"I just want to stay healthy and play the whole year and the numbers will be there," he said.

Last season, Schoop hit .279/.306/.482 with 15 homers and 39 RBIs in 305 at-bats. Growing his on-base percentage and improving his plate discipline will be important going forward. Along those lines, Schoop feels a better understanding of how pitchers are tying to get him out is important.

"I've learned you have to see what they are trying to do with you. You have to have a plan. You can't go in there blind. You have to see how they approach you," he said.

Schoop suffered a sprained right knee last April and that limited him to 321 plate appearances and 86 games. He worked hard to return and continues to work hard to keep that knee sound.

"Almost everyday I have to do some work there for me to keep that stronger," he said. "I can't go like when I was 16. I have to keep that up. I have to work for that knee to stay the way I need it."