Former general manager tabs Daniel Schneemann as Guardians’ postseason X-factor

It will take a lot for the Guardians to work their way back into the postseason picture. They’re going to need more length from their starting pitchers, more shutout innings from the key pitchers in their bullpen and, most importantly, more production from nearly everyone in their lineup. 

But, if the Guardians do end up wiping away that deficit and working their way back into the postseason picture, The Athletic’s Jim Bowden has picked super utility infielder Daniel Schneemann as a Guardian who could become a household name on this year’s postseason stage. 

Former general manager tabs Daniel Schneemann as Guardians’ postseason X-factor

In his new story for The Athletic (subscription required), Bowden picked a postseason X-factor for each team with a realistic chance to make the postseason, where he had a lot of nice things to say about Schneemann. 

“Schneemann has been a key cog for the Guardians, playing 60 games at second base, 15 at third base, 11 in center field, nine at shortstop, seven in right field and three in left field. He’s made only two errors all season, both at second base. Overall, he ranks in the 92nd percentile in outs above average and in the 84th percentile in fielding run value. Offensively, he’s provided some pop with 15 doubles and 10 homers in 335 plate appearances, along with eight stolen bases (80th percentile in baserunning run value). He provides value all over the field and on the bases,” Bowden wrote. 

All of which is true. Yes, he can be a bit of a streaky hitter, but sometimes that profile can benefit players once they get to the postseason — so long as it's a hot streak. 

Schneemann’s currently slashing .225/.305/.381 this year with 10 home runs, 32 RBI, 16 doubles, one stripe and eight stolen bases. Although more than 86% of his at-bats have come against right-handed pitching, his defensive versatility allows for him to have some value off the bench as a late-game pinch-hitter or as a defensive substitution. 

Bowden’s story also provided some insight into how the Guardians view Schneemann internally, as he quoted general manager Mike Chernoff as saying: “(Schneemann) can play any position on the field, including in the middle of the diamond, and play them all well. He has been an important part of our offense, building on his breakout season last year.”

Manager Stephen Vogt has recently started using Schneemann at the No. 2 spot in the lineup, which is a great move, as it gives him more pitches to hit ahead of José Ramírez while also putting an on-base threat ahead of Ramírez. 

Schneemann is the classic “jack of all trades, master of none” player that the Guardians gather in bunches. Last year, David Fry carried that profile into becoming a Guardians legend. Could that be Schneemann this year?