Daniel Schneemann Hits Thrilling “Little League Homerun” For Guardians

PROVO, Utah- Former BYU Cougars infielder Daniel Schneemann is starting the season on an MLB roster for the first time in his career with the Cleveland Guardians after being called up in the middle of last year.

Schneemann has appeared in nine games so far in 2025, and while he has struggled from the plate, his hustle yesterday earned him a highlight, producing Cleveland’s only two runs of the day.

⚾ Daniel Schneemann doubles (1) on a line drive to left fielder MJ Melendez. Jhonkensy Noel scores. Daniel Schneemann scores. Throwing error by shortstop Bobby Witt Jr.

Kansas City Royals 0 – Cleveland Guardians 2
⬇️ 2nd

— MLB Run Tracker (@MLBRunTracker) April 13, 2025

Daniel Schneeman Shows Out On Both Sides Of The Ball

In the bottom of the 2nd inning, Schneemann stepped up to the plate for his first plate appearance of the day. Before this moment, he was batting .053 with only one other hit in 19 previous at-bats and was looking to get out of the slump.

RELATED: Former Cougar Daniel Schneemann Hits First HR Of The Year Vs Royals

The count was 2-2 with Jhonkensy Noel representing the go-ahead run on first, and Daniel was battling. Cole Reagans loaded up to deliver the sixth pitch of the at-bat and delivered a slightly elevated four-seam fastball in the zone.

Schneemann connected, drilling the ball into the left-center field gap, landing just short of the warning track and bouncing off the wall. MJ Melendez fielded the ball and hit his cut-off man Bobby Witt Jr., but the throw home to try to catch Noel at the plate was nowhere near its target, flying all the way to the backstop.

By the time the pitcher corraled the erred throw, Schneemann, who had never stopped running, was already halfway home. There was no throw to the plate as Daniel slid head-first to put the Guardians up 2-0. Given the unconventional nature of the play, big smiles crossed the faces of both Noel and Schneemann after Daniel crossed home plate.

During the chaotic sequence, Daniel Schneemann showed his speed, rounding the bases in just 15 seconds.

Lol, alright, so we're on the board.#GuardsBall pic.twitter.com/mfrVRHxr4h

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 13, 2025

Schneemann also flashed the leather at second base, when he robbed Bobby Witt Jr. of a hit through the middle of the infield with a diving grab.

Schneemann was shading towards the middle of the diamond in response to Witt Jr.’s tendency to pull the ball. The soft line drive was well past the shortstop, but getting a good break on the ball off the bat, Schneemann was able to lay out and get there in time.

Daniel Schneemann robs Bobby Witt Jr. of a base hit. What a catch!😳 pic.twitter.com/M7IFiygC01

— Baseball’s Office (@baseballsoffice) April 13, 2025

Despite the 4-2 loss to Kansas City, Daniel Schneemann had by far his best all-around game of the season and can hopefully carry that momentum into Cleveland’s upcoming series against the Baltimore Orioles.

About Daniel Schneemann

In his last year playing for the BYU Cougars, the shortstop posted a batting average of .238 with 28 RBIs.

In 2018, Schneemann was selected in the 33rd round of the MLB Draft, going 1,003rd overall to the Cleveland Guardians.

Between 2019 and 2024, Daniel slowly claimed his way up the ranks, first playing for the Arizona League Indians, then the Single-A Lake County Captains, and Double-A Akron RubberDucks, before finally making the opening day roster for the Triple-A Columbus Clippers.

In 2024 with Columbus, Schneemann got a call-up to the 40-man roster, making his Major League debut on June 2, 2024.

Daniel Schneemann? More like welcome to The Show, man.#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/N049nvo1Pl

— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) June 2, 2024

Now, Daniel Schneemann starts his 2025 campaign in the MLB as a member of the Cleveland Guardians.

Tanner Tripp is a sports writer for KSL Sports covering all teams across the state of Utah. Follow him on X @tanner_tripp and Instagram @tanner.tripp here.

What more coverage of Daniel Schneemann and other Locals in the MLB? Take us with you, wherever you go.

Download the new & improved KSL Sports app from Utah’s sports leader. You can stream live radio, video and stay up to date on all of your favorite teams.

Follow @tanner_tripp