Jonathan Schoop
A power-hitting second baseman from Curaçao who became a 2017 All-Star, embodying the island's growing baseball pipeline.
Born 1991 (age 35)·Curaçaoan baseball player·Birthday: October 16·Millennials
Biography
Born in Willemstad, Jonathan Schoop grew up on an island better known for Little League glory, but he had his sights set on the major leagues. Signed by the Baltimore Orioles at 16, he methodically climbed the minor league ladder, his potent bat for a middle infielder turning heads. His breakout arrived in 2017, a season where he crushed 32 home runs and earned an All-Star selection, becoming a cornerstone of the Orioles' lineup. His career path later took him through several MLB cities, from Milwaukee to Detroit, showcasing a consistent, hard-nosed style of play. Beyond his power, Schoop is remembered for his reliable defense and as part of a generation of Curaçaoan players, like Andrelton Simmons and Kenley Jansen, who solidified the island's reputation as a talent hub.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Jonathan was born in 1991, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Jonathan Was Born
The biggest hits of 1991
#1 Movie
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
Best Picture
The Silence of the Lambs
#1 TV Show
Cheers
Jonathan's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1991Born
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1996Started school
Dolly the sheep cloned
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $99,700Min wage: $4.75/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Macarena" — Los del RioBest Picture: The English Patient
2004Became a teenager
Indian Ocean tsunami kills over 230,000
Gas: $1.88/galHome: $157,300Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Yeah!" — UsherBest Picture: Million Dollar Baby
2007Could drive
iPhone released; Great Recession begins
Gas: $2.80/galHome: $172,600Min wage: $5.85/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Irreplaceable" — BeyonceBest Picture: No Country for Old Men
2009Could vote
Michael Jackson dies; Bitcoin created
Gas: $2.35/galHome: $148,500Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed PeasBest Picture: The Hurt Locker
2012Turned 21
Curiosity rover lands on Mars; Sandy Hook shooting
Gas: $3.64/galHome: $143,200Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Somebody That I Used to Know" — GotyeBest Picture: Argo
2021Turned 30
January 6 Capitol breach; COVID vaccines roll out globally
Gas: $3.01/galHome: $298,900Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"Levitating" — Dua LipaBest Picture: CODA
2026Age 35 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Selected as an MLB All-Star in 2017 with the Baltimore Orioles.
- Hit a career-high 32 home runs during his 2017 All-Star season.
- Played in over 1,000 major league games across a decade-long MLB career.
- Represented the Netherlands national team in the World Baseball Classic.
Did You Know?
His younger brother, Sharlon Schoop, has also played professional baseball.
He was originally signed by the Baltimore Orioles as an international free agent in 2008.
He played for the Netherlands in the 2017 World Baseball Classic, reaching the semifinals.
He hit his first major league home run off pitcher Justin Verlander.
“From the sandlots of Willemstad to the big leagues, my bat does the talking.”
