Stronger Schoop is primed for Orioles' postseason push

As a rookie in 2014, second baseman Jonathan Schoop's season ended with 16 home runs and a .209 average, including a .155 mark during the final month. Now, as September arrives and with his injured knee healthy, Schoop is ready to have a strong September and help the Orioles get into the postseason. He learned last year about what it takes to succeed in September. "I learned how to prepare myself better, how to stay in the moment and how to be stronger," Schoop says. "I learned a lot. I learned that no matter how big the slump, you have to compete. You have to find a way to be strong." Orioles manager Buck Showalter says September is an adjustment for young players that haven't played a six-month season, and that it is more of a mental toll than a physical toll. With Manny Machado, an All-Star and Platinum Glove winner at third base, and Schoop anchoring second base, the Orioles' system has developed two of the best all-around infielders in baseball. They were minor league teammates and when Machado got to the big leagues in 2012, he made sure to tell Schoop that it will be his turn soon. "Me and Manny are like brothers," Schoop says. "He tells me to have fun and play the game right." Schoop, 23, is known for his strong arm, power bat and having the quickest turn of a double play by any second baseman around. He grew up in Curacao playing baseball and his older brother, Sharlon, 28, is in the Orioles farm system. Sharlon is a third baseman that played for the Netherlands in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. Jonathan signed with the Orioles in 2008 as a non-drafted free agent. "It just happened, no really big story behind the day I signed," Schoop says. Schoop started as a shortstop, but in 2011, the Orioles switched him to second base. There were adjustments, such as the double play and cutoff plays. "At first, it's tough because you have to keep remembering your role," Schoop says. At the end of 2013, he came up for five games and went 2-for-3 with a home run in his first game at Camden Yards against Toronto's Kyle Drabek. Orioles shortstop J.J. Hardy has above-average dependability on defense without being flashy, and he's known for his unique ability to tag runners at the bag - something Schoop has learned. "What haven't I learned from J.J.?" Schoop says. The Caribbean island of Curacao is also home to Rangers infielder Jurickson Profar, Dodgers closer Kenley Jansen and former major league outfielder Andruw Jones, who played 17 seasons, mostly with Atlanta. Jones played in two World Series for the Braves, including 1996 when he was 19. Jones led the National League with 51 home runs and 128 RBIs in 2005. Jones and Schoop still talk. "Every kid wanted to like Andruw Jones," Schoop says. In 2004, Schoop played for Curacao's Little League World Series championship team, getting the save in the finale against Thousand Oaks, Calif. After getting to the American League Championship Series last season, Schoop is hungry to get into a big league version of the World Series. "Last season, the fans were really loud, it was a good experience for me," Schoop says. "I dream of playing in the World Series."