Detroit Tigers' Jonathan Schoop arrives to spring training, wants Spencer Torkelson at first base

LAKELAND, Fla. — A cheerful Jonathan Schoop bounced around Monday morning in the Detroit Tigers' clubhouse. He checked in with his teammates, chatted with new shortstop Javier Baez and took the field for practice.

Schoop, for the first time in his Tigers career, wasn't late to spring training. In years past, work visa issues — the downside of signing one-year deals late into the offseason — delayed his travels plans from Curaçao.

The 30-year-old second baseman signed a two-year contract extension last August, keeping him in Detroit through the 2023 season. By doing so, he knew his destination for 2022 and received his work visa with plenty of time to spare.

Now, it's time to work.

"We're trying to go to the playoffs and win baseball games," Schoop said. "I'm very excited for this season and trying to win as many more games as possible. Last year, I feel like we did good. We got more things to prove. I feel ready for this season to help our team make the playoffs."

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A productive 2021 season propelled Schoop to his contract extension, worth $15 million total. The nine-year MLB veteran hit .278 with 22 home runs, 37 walks and 133 strikeouts in 156 games.

The 2022 season marks Schoop's third consecutive year with the Tigers, after signing a pair of one-year deals for 2020 and 2021. This time around, he gets to play alongside Baez, the 2020 National League Gold Glove winner at shortstop.

"He's a really good baseball player," Schoop said. "I played with him in the (Arizona) Fall League (in 2012), so we know each other already. We played on the same team. I've played against him a lot. Everybody sees what he can do, and everybody knows what he can bring to the future. He brings a lot to this team."

As the offseason unfolded, Schoop kept tabs on the Tigers' shortstop search.

There were five players in the mix: Baez, Carlos Correa, Corey Seager, Marcus Semien and Trevor Story. Seager (10 years, $325 million) and Semien (seven years, $175 million) signed with the Texas Rangers, while Baez inked a six-year, $140 deal with the Tigers.

Correa and Story remain unsigned.

"I wasn't checking every day," Schoop said. "But it popped up on my screen. I knew a lot of good shortstops were out there, but Javy, I think, was the best choice for us. I'm excited. I've played with him already. I know what he can do. Javy is going to help this team a lot."

Tigers manager AJ Hinch agrees.

"He's elite," Hinch said. "It's really as simple as that. We wanted an elite shortstop, and we got one that wanted to be here. That was important, that Javy bought into what we were doing. He's a winning player."

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With Baez in the fold, the Tigers expect their up-the-middle infield defense to improve. A key piece of the formula is Schoop, a career second baseman who made 103 starts at first base in 2021, compared to 38 at his natural position.

Schoop switched positions because the Tigers didn't have a true first baseman. Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera played 44 games in the infield; the Tigers closely monitored his health.

"It's all about winning, so whatever I can do to help my team win, I'm ready," Schoop said. "If I have to play first more, I'll do it. If I have to play second, I'll do it. I just want to win games, be out there and play every day. That's it."

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The defensive alignment depends on first baseman Spencer Torkelson, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2020 draft and, according to MLB Pipeline, the No. 4 prospect in baseball. If Torkelson makes the Opening Day roster, Schoop will play second base.

If Torkelson returns to Triple-A Toledo, Schoop starts the season at first base.

"Everybody wants him on the team," Schoop said. "He's going to help us a lot. He's a good bat in the lineup, so Torkelson, I hope he can make the team."

Outfielder Riley Greene, the No. 5 overall pick in 2019 and the No. 4 prospect in baseball, could make the Opening day roster, too. Torkelson hit .267 with 30 home runs in 121 games the minor leagues last season; Greene produced a .301 batting average with 24 homers in 124 games.

"They're really good, Tork and Riley. They're really good players," Schoop said. "They've shown what they can do already, but hopefully they can catch some eyes and make it from the start. They're going to be really good for us with really good energy moving forward in the season."

Tigers add three arms

The Tigers announced three minor-league signings Monday, all right-handed pitchers with invitations to MLB spring training: Miguel Diaz, Drew Hutchinson and Ramon Rosso.

"I enjoyed my time here last year a lot," Hutchison said. "Just be ready to go, be myself and do my thing."

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Diaz, 27, has pitched four MLB seasons for the San Diego Padres. He posted a 3.64 ERA with 19 walks and 46 strikeouts in 42 innings out of the bullpen in 2021. Rosso, 25, pitched eight innings across seven games for the Philadelphia Phillies last year, logging a 5.63 ERA with three walks and seven strikeouts. He has two years of experience in the majors.

The most notable name — Hutchison — appeared in nine games (two starts) for the Tigers last season, part of his six-year MLB career. The 31-year-old had a 2.11 ERA with 11 walks and 10 strikeouts in 21⅔ innings.

"Getting back to the big leagues (for the first time since 2019) was my goal last year, and I was able to do that," Hutchison said. "I'm just continuing to try to build off that, be myself and pitch well."

Contact Evan Petzold at epetzold@freepress.com or follow him on Twitter @EvanPetzold. Read more on the Detroit Tigers and sign up for our Tigers newsletter.