Second baseman Jonathan Schoop might’ve been the Orioles’ best international find in recent memory. Signed as a 16-year-old out of Curaçao to a nominal 19-year-old signing bonus, he became a budding superstar the club could have built their next competitive window around.
But Schoop’s tenure with the club ended abruptly Tuesday, as the 26-year-old fan favorite was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for infielder Jonathan Villar and two prospects without the club having made a play to keep him around.
The Orioles avoided the situation they faced this year with shortstop Manny Machado by dealing Schoop before his final season of club control.