Ryan Flaherty vs. Jonathan Schoop in 2015

Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-USA TODAY Sports

The Baltimore Orioles have much speculation about who is going to play in left and right field during the 2015 season. There is also uncertainty about who is going to be Baltimore’s starting second baseman this upcoming season.

In 2014, Jonathan Schoop started in 112 games for the Orioles at second base. Schoop batted .209/.244/.354 with 16 home runs and 45 RBI in 481 plate appearances. At home, Schoop only hit .196/.237/.309 with five home runs and 18 RBI in 65 games at home.

Schoop’s stellar defense is what allowed him to stay in the starting lineup. Schoop owned a .987 fielding percentage, turned 89 double plays and had a +10 DRS.

Ryan Flaherty started in 29 games at second base in 2014 and 59 games the prior season. In 2014, Flaherty batted .221/.288/.356 with seven home runs. He also hit a single-season best 15 doubles and 32 RBI.

At Camden Yards, Flaherty batted slightly better than Schoop, batting .216/.304/.410 with seven home runs and 23 RBI in 160 plate appearances.

Flaherty owns a .990 career fielding percentage with 82 double plays turned and a +8 DRS in three seasons with the Orioles.

Neither Schoop nor Flaherty have consistency in their bat. Being another left-handed bat in the lineup does make Flaherty a little more favorable option for manager Buck Showalter to use in the batting order.

Many, including Showalter, are looking for one of these two to step up this spring and show that they can hit with consistency.

If not, the Orioles also have Jimmy Paredes who has played in 11 games at second base in his four-year major league career. Last season, Paredes batted .302/.327/.491 with two home runs and eight RBI in 18 games played with Baltimore.

The bottom part of the lineup lacked consistency in 2014 and, in order to improve in 2015, it starts with the second baseman.