How Schneemann could add more versatility to defensive toolkit

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CLEVELAND -- Daniel Schneemann has chased down flyballs in the outfield. He has corralled hot grounders at third base, and turned double plays in the middle infield.

As the Guardians continue their push for the postseason, could Schneemann add a seventh position -- first base -- to his robust defensive tool kit?

“I did think about that. Hopefully, I can just get at least one inning [at first base] this year so I can be like, ‘Oh yeah, I’ve played seven positions,’” Schneemann said with a laugh.

Schneemann has done some work behind the scenes for that possibility, even if it’s just for an emergency situation. He worked out at first base following his July 24 option to Triple-A Columbus and has periodically since Cleveland recalled him to the Majors on Sept. 1.

Schneemann isn’t set to suddenly start at first base, where the Guardians have Nathaniel Lowe and David Fry on their depth chart. But his ability to slot there in a pinch could provide added flexibility down the stretch as Cleveland pursues a postseason berth.

“Especially as we get deeper into the season, there's times you have to make maybe one more move to try to win the game,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “It’s just to make sure in an emergency he can go over there.”

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Professionally, Schneemann worked at first base with Double-A Akron in 2021, though it included only seven innings of game action. He's played each defensive position other than first base and catcher in the Majors. His versatility is why Cleveland recalled him from Columbus this month, giving Vogt a flexible option to deploy during the stretch run.

The Guardians do have several first baseman in their Minor League pipeline. Ralphy Velazquez is not on the 40-man roster, but has had a stellar season with Columbus. The 21-year-old (who was not in Columbus’ lineup for the third straight game on Thursday) is ranked as Cleveland’s No. 2 prospect and No. 32 overall by MLB Pipeline).

Catcher Kody Huff (No. 29 prospect) has made 26 starts at first with Columbus this season, while hitting 20 home runs with an .890 OPS. Kyle Manzardo has also produced well since the Guardians optioned him to Columbus on Aug. 3 (.869 OPS in 28 games).

The presence of a third player with first-base experience would be another avenue to help the Guardians mitigate an emergency situation cropping up. As long as their mix is constructed how it is now, they could have a need over there. Schneemann could help.

What could an emergency look like? Let’s consider a few scenarios.

Fry will often pinch-hit on days he doesn’t start. He doesn’t always remain in defensively afterward. If that were to happen, and Lowe later reached base in a spot the Guardians needed to score, they could pinch-run for him. That could create the need for a first baseman.

There could be a game where the right-handed-hitting Fry starts at first base, and the left-handed-hitting Lowe pinch-hits for him to face a right-handed pitcher. If Lowe reached base and the Guardians needed to score, they could pinch-run for him.

Lowe and Fry are the only players on the Guardians’ active roster with experience at first base in the Majors. Catcher Patrick Bailey manned the position for 39 1/3 innings over five games in the Minors. The depth could thin in a flash.

“It's just [in case of an] emergency,” Schneemann said of his first-base work. “But just in case that happens, they just want me to be ready.”

There is nuance to every position, and Schneemann has worked through scenarios such as where to be positioned for a cutoff throw, or where to be on a ball hit to the outfield gap.

A smaller focus has even included making sure his foot isn’t on top of the bag. Fielding and making throws are more transferable skills.

The majority of Schneemann’s practice reps remain at the other infield spots and in the outfield. This time of year, one win can make a difference in the postseason picture. Schneemann, who's already a valuable Swiss Army knife, could help in a new way if needed.

Seven positions may be the limit to Schneemann’s versatility. While he once wanted to be a catcher as a kid, he moved on to other pastures at around 10 years old.

Then again, you never know what may happen.

“Maybe if there's a crazy, crazy emergency, I’ve got to get back there. But that will require some things that we don't want to happen," Schneemann said. "So hopefully, that time doesn't come.”