ARLINGTON, Texas — It took Daniel Schneemann six years in the minors before the BYU product made his big league debut with Cleveland on June 2, 2024, but the affable and versatile Guardian wouldn’t change a thing about his road to the show.
“I knew going to BYU out of high school I was going to have to play really well just to get an opportunity (to play professionally), and luckily this organization gave me an opportunity,” Schneemann, 28, said prior to an Aug. 22, 2025, road game in Texas. “I knew I was going to have to put in a lot of work and really develop as a player. I knew it was going to take a long time. I had some expectations for myself and tried to stay patient and play my game.”
After playing in Provo from 2016 through 2018, he was a 33rd-round pick for Cleveland in 2018. Now that he’s joined the fraternity of ex-Cougars to reach the majors, Schneemann realizes what a notable accomplishment that is.
“I take a lot of pride coming from a school like that. I knew the program was a good baseball program with potential,” Schneemann said. “I had a great experience and grew a lot as a person and player, thanks to my coaches. Still keep in touch with a lot of them. Really grateful to have gone there.
“I grew a lot in my relationships there. I had a lot of really good teammates that are some of my best friends still living out there. I spend a lot of time with them in the offseason. (It’s) just a brotherhood I built with my coaches and my teammates, definitely some of the best memories I’ve had.”
However, if one thing has defined Schneemann’s first year-plus in the show, it’s been his impressive versatility. Not only has the BYU product played all three outfield positions and three infield spots, but he’s also filled in at DH for the Guardians, with such versatility being a huge blessing for second-year Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt.
“Schnee’s been outstanding for us, really good defense wherever we throw him out there on the field, consistent at-bats. He’s been a huge part of our success this year,” Vogt said. “I really love the way he’s been handling hitting in the two-hole. That’s been a dark hole for us a lot of the year. We’ve tried everybody, just for whatever reason, but Schnee’s really taken that and run with it.”
Besides playing all over the diamond in 2025, he’s also hit in every spot in the order, another sign of how much trust Vogt has in the ex-Cougar, who currently has 10 home runs and 32 RBI on the season.
“I try not to let wherever I’m hitting change my approach. I know with Jose (Ramirez) behind me (when I hit second), I’m probably going to get challenged more than I would,” Schneemann said. “I just try to go up to the plate every at-bat being ready to hit and just try to see more pitches. I try to stick to my approach regardless of where I’m hitting.”
Along with Athletics reliever Justin Sterner, Schneemann is one of two BYU products currently in the majors. Earlier this season, he and Sterner, who debuted in May 2024, nearly faced each other in an 8-2 A’s win in Cleveland on July 19, 2025.
“I was on deck (when Carlos Santana got the final out),” Schneemann said. “There were two outs in the ninth, he was pitching and I was on deck but I didn’t get up against him. We do a lot of live at-bats in the offseason. We get a lot of work in together, so I’ve faced him (before).
“It will be great (when we do get to face each other). We’re both competitors. He’s going to try to get me out and I’m going to try to get on base. No matter what happens, the next at-bat is going to be the same thing.
“That’s the beauty of the game, is we’re both competitors and if we ever face each other, we’re just going to try our hardest. It’s always cool, seeing someone go the same road you’ve had. (Sterner) wasn’t a super high pick when he signed as a free agent, so it’s an awesome story for him to get here.”
Earlier this week, Schneemann went on the paternity list to be with his wife, Allie Hancock-Schneemann — a BYU softball player from 2016 through 2019 who has been a Cougars assistant coach since 2023 — for the birth of their second daughter. Daniel credits Allie for being invaluable in helping him realize his MLB dream.
“Yeah, it’s great. She understands the game. She understands the failure that comes with playing the sport and difficulties that come with playing the sport,” he said. “It’s a big advantage for me to be with someone who understands this game and I’m super blessed. I wouldn’t be here without her.”
And wherever the Guardians have traveled over the past year-plus, Schneemann is always happy to see BYU fans still supporting him.
“It’s great. That’s the thing about BYU, is there’s BYU fans all over the country,” Schneemann said. “So, wherever you go, even if I don’t know them personally, we have that BYU connection, which is great.”
As a rookie, Schneemann had to endure rookie rites of passage like carrying drinks, poker chips and other items for his veteran teammates. Those rookie duties are now in his rearview mirror, and he can only smile when he realizes how much his life has changed over the past year, going from someone itching for their first taste of life in the big leagues to now being an integral part of the Guardians roster.
“Yeah, definitely in terms of travel and the level of competitiveness has been the biggest difference and I’ve loved every second of it,” Schneemann said. “Obviously, the downside is not being able to spend as much time with my family, but other than that everything that I could have dreamed of this past year has happened.”
Stephen Hunt is a freelance writer based in Frisco, Texas.
