Baseball America published their top 20 Carolina League prospects today and three Orioles were ranked on the list: Manny Machado (#1), Jonathan Schoop (#6), and Bobby Bundy (#15).
BA said some scouts see Machado as an “Alex Rodriguez clone”. They noted Schoop’s impressive bat speed and hand eye coordination. With Bundy, they discussed his deep arsenal and ability to locate his 91-93 mph fastball.
Pitcher Cam Roth receives Elrod Hendricks Community Service Award
Salisbury, Md. – The Shorebirds are pleased to announce that 2011 infielder Jonathan Schoop was named the Brooks Robinson Minor League Player of the Year by the Orioles on Monday. Pitcher Cam Roth was honored with the Elrod Hendricks Community Service Award.
Schoop opened the 2011 season as the everyday third baseman for the Shorebirds. In 51 games, he batted .316 with eight home runs and 34 RBIs. Schoop proved a very consistent hitter, stringing together a 16-game hit streak between May 1 and May 17. He recorded a hit in 43 of 51 games with the Shorebirds.
The 19-year old was promoted to the Frederick Keys on June 5. In 77 games for the Keys, he batted .271 with five homers and 27 RBIs. Schoop picked up his play in the postseason, recording 11 hits, a home run and four RBIs in nine games. He was a critical component in helping the Keys win the Carolina League Championship.
Schoop was named the Orioles Minor League Player of the Month in August, hitting .336 with four homers and 21 RBIs.
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.
Shorebirds pitcher Cam Roth was honored with the Elrod Hendricks Minor League Community Service Award. Roth assisted with numerous appearances around the Eastern Shore and always represented the Shorebirds in a positive light. Roth displayed a friendly approach with fans and was always eager to help the Shorebirds whenever called upon.
Former Shorebirds manager (2009), Orlando Gomez, was the recipient 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”.
For more information about the Shorebirds, contact us at 410-219-3112.
Jonathan Schoop and Orlando Gomez Will Receive Awards at Camden Yards Tonight
Frederick, MD – 2011 Frederick Keys 2B Jonathan Schoop and Keys Manager Orlando Gomez will be recognized tonight by the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards. 2009 Frederick Key, RHP Tim Bascom will be honored as well. The Orioles will take on the Boston Red Sox at 7:05 p.m. this evening.
Schoop has earned the Brooks Robinson Prize as the organization’s most outstanding position player. Gomez was named the recipient of the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award while Bascom won the Jim Palmer Prize as the organization’s Pitcher of the Year.
Signed by the Baltimore Orioles on August 20, 2008, as a non-drafted free agent, Schoop hit .290 with 13 home runs, 24 doubles, five triples, and 71 RBIs in 128 games between the Keys and Class-A Delmarva this season. His .290 batting average was third-best among Orioles’ farmhands this season while his 71 runs batted in were tied for the second-most in the Orioles’ minor league system. The Willemstad, Curacao native started the season with the Delmarva Shorebirds in the South Atlantic League. On June 5th, Schoop was promoted to Frederick where he finished out the remainder of the 2011 season. While with the Keys, the Orioles’ tenth-best prospect according to Baseball America helped guide Frederick to its best record in franchise history (80-59). Additionally, Schoop was an integral part to the Keys’ postseason success. In Frederick’s march to its fourth Mills Cup in franchise history and third since 2005, Schoop hit .314 (11-for-35) with two doubles, a home run, and four RBIs.
During the 2011 season, Schoop was selected to play for Team World in the XM Future’s Game on July 10th at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Schoop and SS Manny Machado were the first Frederick Keys’ to participate in the event since Jake Arrieta in 2008.
As the Brooks Robinson Prize winner, Schoop is the ninth Frederick Key to earn the award in a season which he played for the Keys. He is also the fourth player to receive the honor in as many years (Joe Mahoney, 2010, Brandon Waring, 2009 & Matt Wieters, 2008). Four of the eight prior recipients have become big leaguers including David Segui (1989), Nick Markakis (2005), and Wieters (2008).
In his second season as manager of the Keys, Orlando Gomez was named the winner of the Cal Ripken Sr. Player Development Award. This honor is 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.” In two years as the skipper in Frederick, the Juan Diaz, Puerto Rico native has guided the Keys to the postseason both years and compiled a record of 152-127 (.545). On August 22, 2011, Gomez won his 146th game as manager of the Keys and surpassed Bien Figueroa (2005-2006) as the winningest manager in franchise history.
2011 was Gomez’s seventh season in the Orioles organization and 48th year in professional baseball. In his playing days, Gomez played 13 minor league seasons in the New York Yankees and Oakland Athletics organizations. He gained his first managerial job in 1977 as the skipper of Medicine Hat in the Pioneer League. As a coach, Gomez reached the big leagues in 1991 as the bullpen coach of the Texas Rangers. He remained in the Major Leagues for the 1992 season as the first base coach of the Rangers. Gomez returned the big leagues as a bullpen coach with Tampa Bay (1998-2000) and Seattle (2003-04).
In 17 seasons as a manager, Gomez has an overall record of 935-1018. In 1989, he was named South Atlantic League Manager of the Year after he guided the Gastonia Rangers, who featured a 17-year-old catcher named Ivan Rodriguez, to a 92-48 record.
Tim Bascom will receive the Jim Palmer Prize as the most outstanding pitcher in the Orioles farm system. In a spot start for the Keys on May 5th this year, Bascom struck out seven over six shutout innings. The Orlando, Florida native picked up the victory in the Keys 5-2 win over the Wilmington Blue Rocks. Overall in 2011, Bascom posted a 10-4 record with an ERA of 2.97 between Frederick and Double-A Bowie. His 2.97 ERA was tops among Orioles full-season farmhands.
Drafted by the Orioles in the fourth round of the 2007 Major League Draft, Bascom went 4-5 with a 3.40 ERA in 12 appearances, 11 starts, for the Keys in 2009.
Agreement Runs Through 2021 Season
Frederick, MD – A negotiated stadium lease agreement between the Frederick Keys, Advanced Class-A Carolina League Affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and The City of Frederick was approved tonight by the Board of Alderman. This will keep the Keys at Harry Grove Stadium through the 2021 season.
“We are very pleased to have this long-term partnership approved securing affiliated baseball in our region for years to come,” said Keys General Manager Dave Ziedelis. “Frederick is our home and we are committed to continue in bringing affordable family fun to our fans throughout the area.”
Frederick tops Kinston, 7-3, in Game Three of the Mills Cup Championship Series
The Keys are one win away from claiming their fourth Mills Cup in franchise history as Frederick defeated the Kinston Indians, 7-3, on Thursday night at Historic Grainger Stadium. Trailing by a pair of runs entering the fifth inning, the Keys plated three runs on four hits in the frame and would not relinquish the lead for the remainder of the night. Frederick added insurance runs in the seventh, eighth, and ninth innings as they eventually cruised to the game three victory. With the win, the Keys lead the best-of-five Mills Cup Championship Series, 2-1.
Kinston took the lead on one swing of the bat in the bottom of the second inning. DH Jeremie Tice led off the inning with an infield single. 1B Jesus Aguilar then homered to left-center field, his fourth home runs in his last four post-season games and the Indians led 2-0.
Frederick would rally with their biggest inning of the series in the fifth inning. After C Brian Ward singled to lead off the inning he would move to second base on a sacrifice bunt. Then RF Bobby Stevens picked up his first hit of the series with an RBI-double to left-center field bringing home Ward with the Keys first run. With two men retired, 2B Jonathan Schoop singled softly to right field bringing home the tying run. SS Manny Machado then doubled sharply on the ground down the left field line to grab the lead for Frederick at 3-2.
LF Glynn Davis crossed home plate in the seventh inning via a wild pitch. Davis’ run put Frederick in front by two runs after seven innings. The Keys added another run in the eighth and two more in the ninth as they took game three, 7-3.
Scott Copeland picked up his second win of the postseason after he allowed two runs on three hits over five innings of work. Ryan Berry had another solid performance out the bullpen. Berry tossed 2 1/3 scoreless innings on the night. In 6 1/3 innings pitched this postseason, Berry has not allowed a run to score. Sean Gleason closed out the contest for the Keys.
Manny Machado and Bobby Stevens each drove in two runs on the night while Jonathan Schoop went 3-for-5 with a RBI.
The Keys will look to clinch their fourth Carolina League title in franchise history on Friday night when they turn to RHP Ryohei Tanaka. Kinston will counter with LHP Francisco Jimenez. First pitch from Historic Grainger Stadium is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday night.
Frederick Leaves Nine Men on Base in 3-1 Loss to Kinston
In the Keys first Mills Cup appearance since 2007, Frederick fell in game one to the Kinston Indians, 3-1. The Keys left nine men on base and went 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position in the losing effort. SS Manny Machado drove in Frederick’s lone run with a RBI double in the bottom of the third inning.
The Keys first scoring chance in the game came in the first inning. 2B Jonathan Schoop reached base via a one out walk. Schoop stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. DH Aaron Baker walked with two outs to put men on the corners but CF Miguel Abreu flew out to left field to end the inning.
Scoreless after two innings, Kinston struck first with an unearned run in the top of the third. With one down, CF Tyler Holt put down a bunt in front of the pitcher’s mound. LHP Nick Haughian raced off the hill to field the bunt. In the process, Haughian slipped and fell to the turf. From his back, he misfired to first and Holt advanced to second on the throwing error. After an infield single by LF Bo Greenwell moved Holt to third, 3B Adam Abraham hit into a fielder’s choice which scored Holt.
Frederick quickly responded with a run of their own in the home-half of the third. RHP Clayton Cook walked LF Bobby Stevens to leadoff the inning. Following a Dale Mollenhauer sac bunt and a Jonathan Schoop lineout, SS Manny Machado doubled down the left field line. Machado’s double easily scored Stevens and tied the game at one.
1B Jesus Aguilar led off the fourth inning for Kinston and put the K-Tribe right back on top. Aguilar hit a solo shot to left field to put the Indians in front, 2-1. Kinston added an unearned run in the frame and led by two after three-and-a-half innings.
The Keys had plenty of opportunities to get back into the game but failed to score another run on the night. Frederick had men on the corners in the fourth, sixth, and eighth innings but squander the scoring opportunity every time.
Chris Jones, Toru Murata, and Preston Guilmet combined to close out the contest with 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief. Clayton Cook picked up the win after allowing one run on four hits over 5 1/3 innings of work.
Nick Haughian got the loss for Frederick. He surrendered three runs, one earned, on six hits over four innings.
In the losing effort, RHP Kenny Moreland tossed three innings of scoreless relief and LHP Chris Petrini followed Moreland with two perfect innings out of the bullpen.
Game two of the Mills Cup Championship Series will take place on Wednesday night in Frederick. LHP Rick Zagone will get the nod for the Keys while Kinston will turn to RHP Michael Goodnight. First pitch from Harry Grove Stadium is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Frederick Tops Potomac in Game 5 of the Northern Division Championship Series
The Keys scored all three of their runs in Game 5 of the Northern Division Championship Series in the first inning but it proved to be enough as Frederick defeated the Potomac Nationals, 3-2. With the win, the Keys advance to the Mills Cup for the first time since 2007. Frederick will face the Southern Division Champs, the Kinston Indians, on Tuesday night in game one of the Mills Cup.
Frederick was able to strike first in the first game five at Harry Grove Stadium since 1990. With one out in the bottom of the first inning, 2B Jonathan Schoop lined a solo shot over the left field fence. SS Manny Machado followed up Schoop’s blast with a single to left field. 1B Aaron Baker stepped to the plate next. Baker, who was traded to the Orioles in exchange for Derek Lee in late July, belted a Paul Demny offering to the opposite field. Baker’s blast cleared the fence in left-center to put the Keys in front 3-0. Potomac’s Paul Demny was pulled from the contest after registering just two outs in his second start of the series.
The P-Nats’ bullpen shutdown the Keys the remainder of the night as Frederick did pick up another hit in the game following the first.
The three-run lead was enough for LHP Jake Pettit and company. Pettit, the Keys’ game one starter, surrendered one run on three hits over six innings. SS Manny Machado helped out his pitcher with two tremendous defensive plays on the night.
With one out in the top of the fourth, 1B Justin Bloxom hit a hard groundball in hole of the left side of the infield. Machado dove to his right and quickly rose and fired to first for the out. Later on in the sixth inning with one on and no out, RF Destin Hood hit a grounder to Machado’s right. Machado made a backhanded play and turned and fired to second for the start of a 6-4-3 double play.
RHP Ryan Berry tossed two scoreless innings of relief prior to RHP Sean Gleason entering the game for the ninth inning. Gleason struck out Destin Hood and Justin Bloxom to start the inning. With two down, Brian Peacock kept Potomac’s hopes alive as he hit a solo home run off Gleason. Gleason squashed the Nationals’ chances of a comeback, however, as he struck out SS Zach Walters to end the game.
Jake Pettit picked up the victory for the Keys while Sean Gleason notched the save as Frederick advances to the Mills Cup for the first time since 2007.
The Keys will host the Kinston Indians on Tuesday and Wednesday night before heading down to Kinston, NC for games three through five.
LHP Nick Haughian will take the hill for Frederick in game one. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
Keys Fall Six Outs Short as Potomac Comeback Looms Large
The Frederick Keys were six outs away from their first Northern Division title in four years but it all came to a halt as Potomac plated six eighth inning runs to stun the Keys forcing a winner take all Game Five on Monday evening. The Keys led to the eighth inning but fell 6-1 on Sunday.
Nationals CF Eury Perez beat out an infield single to lead off the inning. That was followed by a walk and a hit by pitch to load the bases. With the infield drawn in, RF Destin Hood singled home two runs and the lead was Potomac’s for good. Later in the frame 3B Jose Lozada would single home two more runs. SS Zach Walters put the finishing touches on the rally with a two-RBI triple to right field.
The Keys led to the eighth inning because of a masterful outing by starter Ryohei Tanaka. Tanaka did not allow a leadoff hitter to reach in six shutout innings of work. He struck out five batters, including three to close out innings with a runner in scoring position.
Frederick nabbed the lead in the fourth inning. SS Manny Machado was hit by a pitch to lead off the frame but was still at first with two outs. 1N Mike Flacco then singled and set it up for C Brian Ward. Ward grounded a single to left scoring Machado with the games first run.
Now the Keys turn to either LHP Nick Haughian or Game One starter Jake Pettit Monday night with its season on the line. First pitch is slated for 7:00 p.m. with coverage beginning 30-minutes prior on 1450-AM The Source.
Playoff tickets are on-sale for decisive Game Five Monday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. For tickets contact the Keys Box Office at 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at frederickkeys.com.
Keys Grab Game Three 5-1 In Potomac
Frederick grabbed the series lead with a 5-1 win over Potomac on Saturday evening in Game Three of the Northern Division Championship Series. The Keys will have a chance to win the North Sunday afternoon and grab a spot in the finals against the Kinston Indians.
The Keys got an outstanding start from Scott Copeland, who threw just 79 pitches in seven innings allowing three hits and one run. The one run came on the only Nationals hit that left the infield on the night, a solo home run from RF Destin Hood in the fourth inning. That tied the game at 1-apiece.
Frederick would quickly grab the lead back. In the fifth inning 2B Jonathan Schoop doubled and scored on a single in shallow right field by SS Manny Machado. Machado later came home on a double off the wall in left-center field by 1B Aaron Baker. The big rally would be emblematic of the evening for the Keys teenage duo. Machado and Schoop reached base a combined eight times with Schoop scoring three runs.
On top 3-1 in the sixth inning the Keys added on. OF Bobby Steven led off the inning with an opposite field single. With one down Schoop walked. The Machado, who was 2-for-4 with two RBI’s lined a ball off of the glove of Nationals 3B Jose Lozada. The play was ruled an error and Stevens came around to score. Runners were at second and third base when Baker’s sac-fly brought Schoop plateward again with the Keys fifth run.
Frederick did not allow a hit after the Hood fourth inning home run. RHP Ryan Berry came on and closed the door retiring six in a row to give the Keys the win.
Now the Keys turn to RHP Ryohei Tanaka to try to punch its ticket to the Mills Cup Finals. First pitch is slated for 1:05 p.m. with coverage beginning 30-minutes prior on 1450-AM The Source.
Playoff tickets are on-sale for the rest of the Keys Playoff run! The next home game will be Monday, September 12th at 7:00 p.m. For tickets contact the Keys Box Office at 1-877-8-GO-KEYS or purchase online at frederickkeys.com.
