Latest news with #DanielSchneemann
Yahoo
02-08-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Guardians' top prospect set to make league debut on Saturday
The Cleveland Guardians are continuing to stay in the playoff picture as a new month of the MLB season started this weekend. With a record of 55-54, the Guardians have won three in a row, getting back on a winning track and are above the .500 mark once again. While they continue to pursue a chance at the postseason, the Guardians are still eight games behind the Detroit Tigers for the lead in the AL Central division, but they are just three games behind the Seattle Mariners for the last playoff spot in a tight-knit AL Wild Card race. Before the Guardians look to continue their winning streak on Saturday, they were able to announce that their No. 4 prospect in their farm system, CJ Kayfus, has been selected from Triple-A Columbus and is set to make his major league debut against the Minnesota Twins. Kayfus, a 23-year-old left-handed bat, was drafted by the Guardians with a third-round pick in 2023 out of the University of Miami. He can play at both first base and the outfield. CJ Kayfus was promoted from Double-A Akron to Triple-A Columbus during the 2025 season, and his success has carried over. Through 68 games with the Clippers, he's batting .283 with a .367 on-base percentage, a .893 OPS, 13 home runs, and 43 RBI. The Guardians will have Kayfus playing in right field and batting eighth in their game against the Twins, giving Daniel Schneemann and Nolan Jones a game to rest over the weekend.
Boston Globe
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Boston Globe
All-Star bound Shane Smith may have his workload limited by White Sox
Smith permitted two runs on back-to-back homers by Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martínez in the second inning. The rookie righthander struck out five and walked none in his 18th start on the year. Advertisement 'If they give me the ball, I'm definitely going to throw. No matter what,' Smith said of pitching in the Midsummer Classic. With the loss to the Guardians, the White Sox (31-63) have dropped four of their last five games. Venable described the second-half plan for Smith as 'start by start.' 'We have to find ways to be creative,' he said. 'We have to find ways to do the right thing. No. 1 priority is going to be to put us in the best spot to win the game. Second to that is obviously putting Shane in the best position to navigate the season. We'll reevaluate every turn in the rotation.'
Reuters
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Reuters
Carlos Santana's 2-run shot gives Guardians win over White Sox
July 11 - Carlos Santana belted a go-ahead, two-run home run in the sixth inning and Daniel Schneemann and Angel Martinez also homered as the Cleveland Guardians defeated the host Chicago White Sox 4-2 on Friday in the opener of a doubleheader. Cleveland extended its winning streak to four games as left-hander Logan Allen stopped a three-start skid and sparked a combined two-hitter. Allen (6-7) limited the White Sox to two runs and one hit in six innings with two walks and five strikeouts. Relievers Cade Smith, Hunter Gaddis and Emmanuel Clase retired nine of the 11 hitters they faced. Clase worked around Chase Meidroth's leadoff single in the ninth to notch his 20th save in 24 opportunities. The White Sox also brought the potential tying run to the plate in the eighth, but Andrew Benintendi flew out to the warning track in right field to end the inning. Schneemann and Martinez smacked back-to-back home runs against Chicago starter Shane Smith with two outs in the second inning to stake Cleveland to a 2-0 lead. Chicago's Luis Robert Jr. tied the game in the bottom half, reaching Allen for a two-run blast. It was Robert Jr.'s ninth homer, one off the club lead, and first since the team reinstated him from the 10-day injured list Tuesday following a left hamstring strain. Smith, a rookie right-hander, threw just 46 pitches over three innings in his final appearance before representing the White Sox at Tuesday's All-Star Game in Atlanta. He scattered two runs and two hits with zero walks and five strikeouts. Martinez, who has homered in three straight games, had two hits. White Sox pitching held the Guardians to five hits while registering nine strikeouts. Tyler Alexander (4-9) took the loss, allowing two runs and two hits in 3 1/3 innings. White Sox first baseman Tim Elko left the game in the fifth inning with right knee soreness. Elko struck out in his lone plate appearance and is hitless in his past 16 at-bats with 14 strikeouts. Cleveland designated hitter Kyle Manzardo went 0-for-2 with a walk. Manzardo missed the past three games to be with his family after his mother, Windy, underwent successful heart transplant surgery. The Guardians improved to 4-0 against the White Sox this season. --Field Level Media
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'He just never ever stops': Daniel Schneemann's resolve, wife key his journey to Guardians
Daniel Schneemann worked as a delivery driver for Uber Eats to make ends meet as he trudged through the minor leagues. The sacrifice eventually paid off. For a little more than a year, Schneemann has been living his Major League Baseball dream with the Guardians. The accomplishment required an unconventional marathon to become a reality. Advertisement 'I just love the game,' Schneemann told the Beacon Journal. 'That's kind of what kept me going, even through my struggles.' Daniel Schneemann's wife Allie Hancock-Schneemann helps him navigate MLB journey Schneemann's wife, Allie Hancock-Schneemann, also played a vital role. They met as freshmen at Brigham Young University, where he played baseball and she played softball. They were married in 2019. Schneemann, 28, still spends his offseasons training with BYU baseball, and Hancock-Schneemann is an assistant softball coach at the school. The couple has a 2-year-old girl, Kendall, and is expecting another daughter in late August. Advertisement When Hancock-Schneemann isn't coaching, she's often traveling to attend Guardians games. She has visited Akron in the past because Schneemann's five-plus seasons in the minors included time with the Double-A RubberDucks in 2021 and 2022. 'She's been more supportive than anyone could have been throughout my journey,' Schneemann said. Cleveland Guardians utility player Daniel Schneemann, BYU assistant softball coach Allie Hancock-Schneemann and their daughter, Kendall, at Progressive Field. Daniel Schneemann's stats show his versatile contribution to the Guardians At age 27, Schneemann made his MLB debut on June 2, 2024, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, and he's been with the Guardians ever since. This season, he's batting .243 with seven doubles, seven home runs, 18 RBIs, five stolen bases, 21 runs and a .755 OPS. A utility man, Schneemann has played primarily second base this year after making most of his 2024 appearances in the outfield and at shortstop. Advertisement A native of Chula Vista, California, Schneemann was drafted by Cleveland in the 33rd round (No. 1,003 overall) in 2018. Earning a roster spot in the majors took him six years. 'It's been something I've been trying to achieve my whole life, and I'm just glad I'm here,' he said. Guardians news: 'It's baby steps': Lane Thomas returns from injury as Cleveland looks for offensive help Cleveland Guardians utility man Daniel Schneemann and his wife, Allie Hancock-Schneemann, when they played for BYU baseball and softball, respectively. Hancock-Schneemann began her college softball coaching career as a volunteer assistant after her final season as a player in 2019 and didn't receive a salary until the fall of 2021. During two offseasons before his wife's promotion, Schneemann delivered food and taught hitting lessons in Provo, Utah, where they reside. Advertisement Enduring those times has made Schneemann's Guardians experience even sweeter. 'I knew that he wasn't going to stop until he made it, and now that he's made it he's set another goal to stay here,' Hancock-Schneemann said by phone. 'He's going to do everything he can to stay up where he's at and contribute to the team.' Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann turns a fifth-inning double play against the Milwaukee Brewers, May 12, 2025, in Cleveland. Amid Cleveland's up-and-down 2025 season, Schneemann has repeatedly provided a bright spot. The Guardians (35-35) could use more of it as they seek a turnaround. 'I know what type of defender he was at BYU, and that was kind of his calling card,' BYU baseball coach Trent Pratt, Schneemann's hitting coach in college, said during a phone interview. 'Offensively, he just kept getting bigger and stronger. Advertisement 'You just kind of have those kids that don't quit. They're going to find a way, and that's kind of how he's always been. He wasn't a big recruit out of high school. He came here, he works like crazy and got better every year.' Guardians infielder Daniel Schneemann throws to first base falling on a fifth-inning infield single by Alec Bohm, May 11, 2025 in Cleveland. A former standout a first base, Hancock-Schneemann has been there to toss baseballs to her husband in batting cages and hit him ground balls for fielding drills. Having someone who can listen and relate might be even more valuable. 'She's helped me with a lot of things, especially mentally staying positive,' Schneemann said. More Cleveland Guardians coverage: 'The evolution of a starting pitcher': Gavin Williams' cutter usage a key aspect to 2025 BYU assistant softball coach Allie Hancock-Schneemann, Cleveland Guardians utility man Daniel Schneemann and their daughter, Kendall, at Huntington Park when Schneemann played for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers. Before Hancock-Schneemann began dating Schneemann when they were BYU sophomores, he told her he had planned for baseball to be his future, and he didn't have a contingency in mind, either. His focus never wavered. Advertisement 'Ever since then, I just knew that he was going to make it,' Hancock-Schneemann said. 'And there was a couple years in the minors where he really struggled, and I'm sure a lot of people were like, 'Oh, I don't know if this dude's going to make it, or is he going to quit?' But I always knew deep down that he was going to make it. 'Because I played a similar sport and coach that sport still, I understand how much time has to be put into it, and I know that there's going to be ups and downs, so I was able to be patient through all the downs of the grind of the minor leagues. I was just able to understand that because of playing softball and how much of a failure sport it is.' Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann tags out Mariners shortstop J.P. Crawford in the fourth inning, June 14, 2025, in Seattle. COVID-19, injury added challenges to Daniel Schneemann's path to the Guardians Reasons for doubt emerged along the way. Advertisement The COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the 2020 minor-league season. Then, in July 2021, Schneemann suffered a season-ending right hand injury with Akron and underwent surgery. He needed pins inserted into his wrist, Hancock-Schneemann said. 'It was definitely stressful,' Hancock-Schneemann added. 'There were a lot of times where he was just super frustrated with how everything was going. 'But … as soon as he was allowed to do stuff with his wrist, he was right back at it early in the offseason, grinding it out, so he just never ever takes a break. As soon as the season's over, I'm like, 'Let's go on vacation. Let's take a little break.' And he's like, 'Nope.' He just never ever stops. It's kind of crazy.' Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann rounds the bases after an eighth-inning solo home run at the Washington Nationals, May 6, 2025. Still, a breakthrough was far from guaranteed. A turning point occurred after Schneemann returned from injury and struggled in 2022. He decided to gain about 25 pounds in the buildup to the 2023 season. Advertisement 'He just said, 'I need to hit for more power. I'm going to take this offseason super seriously with what I eat,'' Hancock-Schneemann said. 'He always took it super seriously baseball-wise, like hitting and doing all that stuff. 'But that was the first time where he was like, 'I'm going to take it super seriously with what I eat and have a meal plan and gain a bunch of weight and change the way I work out.' He made a lot of changes, and it was noticeable.' Guardians second baseman Daniel Schneemann looks on during an at-bat in the first inning against at the Detroit Tigers, May 24, 2025. The improvement Schneemann demonstrated with Triple-A Columbus led him to the Guardians. Nowadays, when Schneemann toils at BYU in the offseason, his old coach uses him as an example. Advertisement 'It's good for our players to see,' Pratt said. 'I tell them, 'Hey, you guys think you want to be a big leaguer? Watch how he works every day. He's here more than you guys. He's at the field the whole time.' 'It's good for our players to see a story like him and see a kid like that and what he went through. It's like, 'Man, you can get to the big leagues.' He's a prime example of that. It wasn't easy for him.' Yet, perseverance ultimately allowed Schneemann to go from moonlighting for Uber Eats to sticking with the Guardians. Cleveland Guardians schedule The Guardians have lost nine of their past 12 games and are coming off a 3-0 series defeat at the Seattle Mariners. They'll begin a three-game series at the San Francisco Giants on June 17 and a three-game series at the Athletics on June 20 before returning home to face the Toronto Blue Jays on June 24. Advertisement Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at nulrich@ On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich . This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Daniel Schneemann sticks with Guardians as softball coach wife assists
Yahoo
29-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
'We need to relax': Guardians' struggles continue, players meet after Sonny Gray nearly perfect
CLEVELAND — Some may look at the current state of the Guardians and say the team is at a crossroads. They stumbled into the final weekend of June at 40-40. Sure, they're still in the thick of the wild card race. Winning the American League Central Division for a second straight year may be a pipe dream, though. Advertisement There are disturbing signs. The Guardians defense has been shoddy and the offense has looked lifeless. St. Louis' Sonny Gray held them to just one hit in a near perfect game in the Cardinals' 5-0 win at Progressive Field on June 27. It was the second time in as many days the Guardians were shut out. They totaled just three hits in the two games. They also committed six errors. What gives? "I think a lot of us are trying to do too much and maybe I can be an example of this, too," infielder Daniel Schneemann said. "We're not having a lot of fun right now. We need to do a better job of bringing more energy and staying positive." St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Sonny Gray delivers a first-inning pitch against the Guardians, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland. The Guardians held a players meeting afterward. No specifics were discussed. It came on the heels of three losses in four games to start the homestand. Advertisement "I think what we need to do best is come in and work hard," Schneemann said. "Once we shift our energy, I think the work will start to translate." Manager Stephen Vogt feels his players are trying to be perfect. Guardians first baseman Kyle Manzardo tosses the ball to first in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland. "We need to relax," Vogt said. "We need to just take a deep breath, take a step back and just go play baseball. "The mistakes we're making are mental. They're not physical. We're sped up and we just need to be better. We need to slow down and remember we're a really good baseball team. "We're the most prepared team. We practice the best. We're just not playing relaxed. In this game you have to be relaxed. It's a slow-paced game. When you're tense, you don't move as well." Guardians starting pitcher Luis Ortiz delivers a pitch in the first inning against the St. Louis Cardinals, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland. Starter Luis Ortiz committed the Guardians' two errors. His throwing error on a pickoff attempt with two outs in the third was followed by Cardinals right fielder Alec Burleson's three-run homer. It gave St. Louis a 3-0 lead. Advertisement That was more than enough support for Gray. He retired the first 14 hitters he faced before Nolan Jones singled with two outs in the fifth. Gray regrouped and retired the last 13 hitters for his first complete game since 2017. He threw just 89 pitches (66 strikes) and struck out 11. "He had everything working," Vogt said. "His command. Where he was putting every pitch. I think the only pitch he left in the strike zone was the one Nolan got the base hit." Masyn Winn (left) and Alec Burleson of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate after scoring on Burleson's two-run home run in the third inning against the Guardians, June 27, 2025, in Cleveland. Vogt caught Gray when they were teammates with the Athletics. The one-hit shutout reminded Vogt a lot of another gem Gray threw at Progressive Field. Advertisement "In 2015, a two-hit shutout," Vogt said. "I liked that one better." On X: @mpopovichREP | On Instagram: mike_popovich | On TikTok: mikepopovich This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Sonny Gray holds Guardians to one hit, Cleveland holds players meeting
