Guardians notes: Daniel Schneemann does it all for Cleveland

CLEVELAND — Daniel Schneemann isn't going to receive any MVP votes this season, but don't tell the Guardians the super utility player isn't vital to their success. "So many things," team president Chris Antonetti said when asked what makes Schneemann so valuable. "One, the fact that no matter what position you put him at, he's a more than capable defender, and in some cases, he's a really good defender at those spots. So having that versatility is huge. "And he continues to put up quality at-bats, whether that ends up in drawing a key walk or some big home runs for us. He's also a really smart baseball player. He makes good decisions on the bases. He's a good baserunner. I would basically describe him as a complete baseball player that can help the team win in a lot of ways." It's tough not to root for Schneemann, who has been unheralded since the day he was drafted by Cleveland in the 33rd round in 2018. Without superstar talent, Schneemann had to work his way into the majors with grit and determination. "He is a self-made, great player," manager Stephen Vogt said of the 29-year-old Schneemann, who made his MLB debut two years ago. "Our (player development) did a great job, obviously, all the way up. I want to give a lot of credit to them, but Schnee's done this for himself. He's worked his backside off and he continues to get better each year and each moment and turned into a really, really good player." "I know everybody in that dugout loves to see Schneemann succeed, just because of how hard he works and how good of a person he is," Tanner Bibee said. "And I feel like just seeing it show up on the baseball field is really awesome to see." Schneemann may not be an everyday player, but he finds his way into the lineup on a consistent basis with his versatility. He played four positions (center field, second base, shortstop and third) through Cleveland's first 23 games. "I've embraced that role. I enjoy moving around. There's some familiarity there," Schneemann said. "I think it just comes down to our staff getting us prepared before games, taking reps wherever we're playing that day, so big credit to them." Schneemann played shortstop for the first time Friday and of course made a diving play. He also hit a grand slam in a 6-4 loss to Baltimore. "It's pretty tough to not play shortstop for about four weeks and then go out there and play a big league game at shortstop," Vogt said. "But Schnee's about as valuable a defensive player as there is in the league." Though it's early in the season, Schneemann, a career .210 hitter prior to this year, has elevated his offensive numbers. He was batting .302 with two homers, six doubles, 11 RBIs and a team-leading .890 OPS through Sunday. He had a seven-game hitting streak stopped Sunday. Among players with at least 50 plate appearances through Saturday, Schneemann ranked 10th in the American League in OPS. The top 10 included perennial All-Stars Aaron Judge and Mike Trout. Schneemann's teammate and one of the majors' top players, Jose Ramirez, has taken notice. "He's a guy that plays hard, plays intensively every day, and he can play many positions and he contributes offensively, too," Ramirez said through an interpreter. "I really like him, the way how he plays the game." Heating up Kyle Manzardo entered Monday batting .321 (9-for-28) over his last eight games to raise his average from .061 to .180. "He's not hitting the ball all that different than he was the first few weeks of the year, but he's finding some holes," Vogt said. "What we're seeing from Kyle, too, is just a more relaxed (hitter). You don't see a whole lot of pressing. He's not jumping as much as he was early." Getting hitched Vogt was caught off guard by Austin Hedges' marriage proposal to girlfriend Lexi after Sunday's win over the Orioles. With his teammates as witnesses, Hedges knelt on the field in front of his wife to be with the engagement ring while a message on the scoreboard read, 'WILL YOU MARRY ME?' "He told me right after the game," Vogt said. "We shook hands and he said, 'Hey, I'm about to propose.' So it was like, 'Oh, good win.' "What a cool moment for Hedgie and Lexi. And of course, the boys went to support it. I'm just so happy for Austin. He's happy, and it was a great way to cap off a series." Hedges thanked Vogt for putting him in the lineup for the series finale. "He was going to do it regardless," Vogt said. "But he was like, 'If I wasn't in the lineup, I would have been a mess all day.' But yeah, catch a winner and then go propose — pretty cool." Roundin' third Ramirez was named AL player of the week for the ninth time in his career. From April 12 through Sunday, Ramirez batted .346 with a double, four homers, five RBIs, eight walks, six steals, nine runs and a 1.346 OPS. Guardians pitchers entered Monday leading the majors with 229 strikeouts. It's the third-most in club history over the first 23 games. Right-hander Gavin Williams led the AL with 40 strikeouts. Contact Chris Assenheimer at (440) 329-7136 or cassenheimer@chroniclet.com. Like him on Facebook and follow him on Twitter @CAwesomeheimer.