I'll take .280/.340 split all day, even .260/.320, from a 2B that looks like he can potentially slug .450.
Schoop's been young for his levels once he got to the Carolina League, so having to work on pitch ID and plate discipline isn't a surprise nor is it much of a concern. Being 20 years old in Double-A is particularly difficult -- A-ball to AA is typically the biggest jump in the minors. Schoop's biggest issue is probably identifying breaking balls, particularly out of a right handed pitcher's hand, which certainly isn't uncommon. Manny is more advanced with respect to pitch ID and his approach at the plate. Manny is even too patient for his own good at times, letting pitches go by that he could drive just so he can work the count.
I think everyone should be really pleased with these two kids this year, as they've gotten better performance-wise as the season goes along and have made some appropriate adjustments. Schoop posted a .570 OPS in April and looked like he was pushed too aggressively, but he's made adjustments and he's really come on recently, particularly with the power. Now Jon is about a league average hitter in a league full of 24-27 year-olds. Jon has crazy bat speed and really quick wrists and he has a knack for barreling the baseball. I've seen a Schoop BP session...moonshots. Hit a ball in an April BP session in Bowie that might land at some point next week. The power is legit.
And Manny's had a great season considering he started the season as the youngest player in the Eastern League (believe that's still the case)...throughout his brief pro career though, he is rather prone to streakiness. He was in a funk for like a month recently and then had like 10 days worth of 2-4's and 3-4's. Probably not anything to take away from it, but yeah.
Hopefully they keep progressing...I could see Manny getting a taste of Triple-A in the middle of August.
