Waiver Wire: Jonathan Schoop

August 8, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Baltimore Orioles second baseman

(6) hits a sacrifice RBI in the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Finding power in today’s age of baseball is nearly impossible. Since we have moved from the days where nearly every guy in the bigs was hitting at least 20 homers, power has now become a premium asset.

This premise does not change in terms of fantasy baseball either, as owners seek and snag power options at any and every opportunity possible. Thus, all fantasy owners have to be on alert for any plausible power threats that may appear on the waiver wire.

This brings me to a power threat that is currently owned in less than 25% across all fantasy formats, and even has the added bonus on being a middle infielder. It is time for all of us to start taking notice of Jonathan Schoop and the potential steal he could be off the waiver wire.

Schoop was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Curacao by the Orioles in 2008. He started playing pro ball at the age of 17 and methodically rose through the minors to make his debut in 2013.

In 2014 the Orioles gave Schoop an extended look as he slotted into the vacant 2B opening and even filled in some after Manny Machado’s injury. On the year Schoop had so-so performance, while he only hit .209 with an OBP of .244, he did however have 16 homers and 45 RBI.

The AVG was rough, but the power potential is undeniable. Schoop is still very young, 23 this season, so he still has time to grow and develop a higher batting AVG approach. But, speaking in terms of his value as we stand, he is one of the leading power hitters at the MI position.

In 2015 Schoop seemed as though a nice sleeper  power candidate that owners could gamble on. He started the season out pretty well hitting three homers in April and March combined, but a MCL sprain in mid-April sidelined him for over two months.

Schhop returned July 5^th and promptly homered in his return. Schoop has a nice month of July power wise mustering 4 bombs for the month. He has not slowed down either as we have entered July.

So far this month, Schoop has been able to post a .417/1 HR/7 RBI line. Schoop is simply on fire, yet he is not getting any recognition fantasy wise. Schoop should easily get to the 15 homer mark before the end of the season, and owners could take full advantage of that if they act fast.

Another added bonus is that because of his hot streak, the O’s has been bumping Schoop up in the order, only helping his counting stats has he will be able to drive in more runs in a pretty potent Oriole lineup.

Adding power in a necessity for all owners, so when a guy comes along that offers it at the MI spot it almost makes too much sense to pick him up. Astute owners will snag him now before he becomes the top of everyone’s waiver wire priority list.