Athletics See Utility Role In Max Schuemann’s Future
Nothing comes easily for a 20th-round pick.
The only guarantee is an opportunity. The rest is up to the player.
Max Schuemann has championed that opportunity and taken it to the cusp of the major leagues. Now in his age-26 season, he is challenging for a utility role.
“He’s kind of a (Chad) Pinder-type player, but a little bit better defender,” Athletics farm director Ed Sprague said. Pinder served as a big part of the A’s for years, playing both infield and outfield.
Schuemann could take over that role in the future. He plays primarily outfield for Triple-A Las Vegas but has made starts at shortstop, third base and second base.
The 6-foot-1, 186-pound Schuemann is a righthanded hitter is best at the keystone. Sprague grades him at average to plus at every position. His standout tool is speed, which has helped make him an effective basestealer.
“He has a knack for stealing bases,” Sprague said. Schuemann swiped 52 in 2021and 24 last year.
Drafted out of Eastern Michigan in 2018, Schuemann has steadily worked his way up the ladder ever since, while improving his defense at every position.
At Las Vegas and Double-A Midland this season, he hit .278/.368/.481 with four home runs and seven stolen bases through 35 games. He has shown more power as he has developed.
The utility role is not new to Schuemann. He played all four infield positions as a college sophomore before becoming the full-time shortstop as a junior. He was named to the all-Mid-American Conference academic team as both a sophomore and junior.
“Every team likes versatility. He’s definitely a big leaguer. It’s just a matter of when,” Midland manager Bobby Crosby told the Midland (Texas) Telegram. “He does everything in the game the right way. He plays hard. He’s a good defender, a good hitter . . . It’s just a matter of time before he gets to the big leagues.”
Sprague said Schuemann has always put in the effort. “He’s just a hard-working kid who wants to know what to do to make it to the next level,” he said.
A’s ACORNS
— Brady Basso returned from Tommy John surgery and was pitching short outings for High-A Lansing. The lefthander made quite an impression on the A’s before going down with surgery in 2021.
— Catcher Daniel Susac was red hot after a slow start at High-A Lansing. Oakland’s first-round pick in 2022, Susac had a four-hit game on May 20 to boost his average to .291.
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