Until this past spring training, the name Daniel Schneemann was not likely on the minds of Cleveland Guardians fans.
In fact, Schneemann had not appeared on Major League Baseball Top 100 prospect lists.
Not to be denied his dream, under the radar Daniel Schneemann is a man who literally played his way onto a major league baseball team.
On June 2, 2024, the Cleveland Guardians promoted Schneemann, 27, from Triple-A Columbus.
Schneemann was so impressive in spring training, the Guardians continued to find ways to expose his versatility when Schneemann’s season began with Triple-A Columbus.
Prior to his promotion to the Guardians, the left-handed hitting Schneemann played second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field, and right field for the Columbus Clippers this season.
Talk about a true, versatile, Swiss Army Knife type player, Schneemann is capable of playing any of those positions with high quality defensive ability.
However, it is his consistently loud bat that brought Schneemann the realization of his life’s dream.
Effective immediately, Daniel Schneemann is wearing No. 10 for the Cleveland Guardians.
He is likely to see lots of playing time, keeping his potent bat in the lineup as often as possible, against both right, and left-handed pitchers.
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About Daniel Schneemann:
Born in San Diego, in June 2018, Daniel Schneemann was a 33rd round draft pick of the Cleveland Guardians. He was signed out of Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah.
The Deseret News wrote about Schneemann here:
Schneeman was pick No. 1,003 in the draft.
Schneemann received a $50,000 signing bonus from Cleveland.
Schneemann was listed as a shortstop when drafted.
It isn’t often that a 33rd round draft pick breaks through to the big leagues.
But to this old scout, Daniel Schneemann is a very special player.
To this old scout, Schneeman makes the most of his many abilities; on both offense, and defense.
Schneemann plays like he loves the game. Which he does.
In three years at Brigham Young, Schneemann hit .288, with 21 doubles, five triples, five home runs, and 76 RBIs in 566 at-bats. He struck out only 88 times.
Daniel Schneemann typifies a player bound and determined to take advantage of every athletic gift he has been given. He is not to be denied.
Daniel Schneemann’s wife, Allie, told MLB. com about a conversation she had with her now husband, when they met in college. “I asked him what he wanted to study, and he was like, “I’m just studying baseball. I just want to make it to the bigs,” Allie said.
He made it to the Big Leagues at the age of 27, which puts him at the prime of his baseball life.
Schneemann’s first two years at Triple-A went like this:
2023=.267/.360/.437/.797 with 30 doubles, a triple, 13 homers, and 60 RBIs is 484 plate appearances. He stole 17 bases. stuck out 100 times, and drew 59 walks.
2024= .294/.428/.556/.984 with 15 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, and 41 RBIs in 223 plate appearances. He had four stolen bases. 52 strikeouts, and 41 walks.
Schneemann raked his way to the major leagues.
Schneemann doubled and drove in two runs in his debut game June 2.
Scouting Daniel Schneemann:
Profiling as a solid utility player in college, Schneemann is now beating the odds that he can play regularly at the major league level.
With his glove ahead of his bat while at Brigham Young, Schneemann was viewed as a player capable of playing short, second, or third at a high quality defensive level.
His bat caught up to his glove. And then some.
And now, he has shown the Guardians he is a very capable outfielder as well.
The man can flat out hit. Ropes. Line drives. Hard line drives. And, he has enough strength in his 6-0, 185 pound frame to hit the ball out of the park. Any park.
These are among the thoughts of this scout after observing Schneemann in almost every game he played this past spring training:
“Excellent hard contact. Finds the barrel. Knows the strike zone well. Doesn’t get fooled easily. Line-drive power, especially to pull side. Can hit lefties. Good defensive range all over the diamond. Reliable, versatile defender, solid arm strength and carry. More than a platoon player. Could dominate if given the chance.”
Scouts often advocate loudly for a player they really like.
If this scout were still with a club, this scout would have advocated loudly for Daniel Schneemann.
Schneemann has incredible potential to positively impact baseball games.
To this scout, Schneemann is reliable offensively. He has a short, quick stroke, with quick hands, and strong wrists. He could surprise and hit double-digit homers with consistency. However, he may be more of a “doubles machine.”
With good range, and a quick first step moving to the ball, Schneemann has the ability to play shortstop. Every day shortstop. He has the arm strength to make the play from the hole.
Given his ability as a shortstop, he can easily adjust to playing second, third, or anywhere in the outfield.
So far, Schneemann has played two games for Cleveland. He has two hits in six plate appearances. He has walked once, struck out once, and has two RBIs.
Scouting Grade:
From this scout’s first look at Daniel Schneemann to this day, it is apparent that Schneemann is a “winning” type baseball player. There is no need to platoon him. He can play anywhere on the field.
Scouting Grade: 55. Note: A grade 55 player is better than average, plays every game, and produces with more than one highly credible tool.
If he gets regular playing time with Cleveland, Schneemann is capable of a Grade 60 player-an occasional All Star. But that will require regular playing time, and a spot in the lineup every game.
