Atlanta Braves looking for additional reinforcements at the deadline
By Fred Owens
The only true second baseman on this list of potential Atlanta Braves targets is back to the All-Star form he showed in 2017.
Jonathan Schoop was one of the AL’s best second basemen from 2015 through 2017, finishing 12th in 2017 MVP voting and earning his first All-Star call that year as well. Then he forgot how to hit.
In 2018 the Orioles traded him to the Brewers and he ended the season batting a combined .233/.266/.416/.682. He joined the Twins in 2019 and rebounded slightly finishing last season batting .256/.304/.473/.777 with 23 homers and 23 doubles.
He signed with Detroit last winter, and so far this year is doing everything right at the plate. He’s currently batting .296/.336/.504/.840, with seven homers for the Tigers.
Since the start of 2017 (which includes the year he didn’t hit well), Schoop is batting .263/.300/.460/.759 with 58 homers and 60 doubles in 1295 PA against RHP and .278/.331/.501/.832 with 25 homers and 23 doubles in 433 PA against LHP.
From 2017 through 2019, Schoop ranked ninth in outs above average, and depending on your favorite defensive metric he was either league average or well above average.
That’s a Wrap
None of these players should bring a big return to their respective clubs. The Giants and the Tigers played themselves back into contention this weekend, but both front offices know none of the players listed are necessarily the future, and if they are, all will be available to sign after the season is over.
I prefer Schoop because second-base is what he’s always done and he offers more power no matter which hand the pitcher uses. I suspect a B level pitching prospect gets one of them or either team might want to try to fix Camargo.
Next. We'd like Mike!. dark
The deadline is 4 P.M. today; we’ll stay on top of things here at the take and get the news to you when and if the Atlanta Braves make another move – or two – or three.