Two Former Cougars Begin MLB Season On Opening Day Rosters

SALT LAKE CITY—Former BYU Cougars Justin Sterner and Daniel Schneemann reached a career milestone, earning spots on 2025 Opening Day rosters.

MLB Opening Day marked the beginning of the 2025 season on Thursday, March 27.

Cleveland #Guardians (INF/OF) Daniel Schneemann with a 383 foot solo HR that came off his bat at 100.3 mph today in the 2nd inning vs the Mariners. #ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/bGNInCKMWH

— Guardians Prospective (@CleGuardPro) March 3, 2025

A super-utility defender, Schneemann earned his way onto the Guardians Opening Day roster by hitting .209 with two homers, four RBI, and five runs scored during Spring Training.

Justin Sterner quietly had the best spring by an A’s pitcher. He just completed his 10th outing and went through the entire spring without allowing an earned run, finishing with a 0.00 ERA in 12 innings with 17 strikeouts and two walks.

Sterner earned a spot in the A’s bullpen.

— Martín Gallegos (@MartinJGallegos) March 24, 2025

Sterner pitched 12 innings across ten spring appearances, scattering five hits and striking out 17 of the 43 batters he faced. He was possibly the A’s best pitcher, not allowing an earned run and finishing with a 0.583 WHIP.

Daniel Schneemann | Utility | BYU Cougars

MLB – Cleveland Guardians

2024 MLB Stats: 73 games | .218 | 42 Hits | 10 2B | 2 3B | 5 HR | 22 RBI | 3 SB | 25 BBs | 70 Ks

The former Cougar brought incredible versatility as a rookie, appearing in double-digit games at third base (17), shortstop (32), centerfield (16), and rightfield (14). Schneemann added six appearances at second and left for playoff-bound Cleveland. Despite an underwhelming performance at the plate, first-year manager Stephen Vogt was confident putting Schneemann in the lineup at nearly any position.

RELATED: Former BYU Baseball Standout Doubles In MLB Debut

THE MAN. pic.twitter.com/OcsoEjZmlq

— BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) March 27, 2025

The Cleveland Guardians drafted the left-handed-hitting Schneemann in the 33rd round of the 2018 MLB draft after three seasons at BYU. The San Diego native hit .288 with 76 RBI, 16 stolen bases, and 21 doubles as a Cougar. His best year came in 2017 when he hit .317 with 13 doubles, two home runs, 38 runs knocked in, and ten stolen bases.

Justin Sterner | Pitcher

MLB – Tampa Bay Rays

2024 MLB Stats: 2 Games | 0-0 | 2.25 ERA | 4 IP | 4 Ks | BB | 1.50 WHIP

Sterner made his MLB debut in 2024, throwing four innings in two appearances with the Tampa Bay Rays. Tampa Bay placed Sterner on waivers in early November, where the Sacramento-bound Athletics claimed him.

He figures to play a prominent role this season with the A’s.

RELATED: Former Cougar Justin Sterner Makes Most Of MLB Debut

Well deserved, @JjSterner 🤙 pic.twitter.com/ACwLCfPan3

— BYU Baseball (@BYUBaseball) March 27, 2025

Through three years in Provo, the 6’1 righthander went 8-4 with a 2.86 ERA in 27 games (17 starts). He went 8-3 with a 2.92 ERA in 2019, striking out 71 batters in 71 innings.

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Brian Preece is a KSLSports.com insider covering Locals in MLB and the Salt Lake Bees. Follow Brian’s Bees and Beehive baseball here. Find Brian on X, Instagram, and BlueSky at @bpreece24. 

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