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NEW YORK — Before Yankees super-utility player Max Schuemann’s first start in right field as a big leaguer, the natural shortstop spent a few minutes Thursday morning explaining his defensive strategy when he’s played corner outfield in the minors or as a sub in the majors.
He talked about how he always has to remind himself if the hitter is right-handed or left-handed because “that determines if a flyball will slice or hook to right or left field.”
Filling in for injured three-time MVP Aaron Judge in Thursday’s 2-1 Yankees win over the Guardians, Schuemann’s knowledge came in handy on the second of his two sensational catches.
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With a runner on first base and two outs in the seventh inning of a 1-1 game, Bryan Rocchio blasted a drive to deep right.
“I knew it was hit well and I thought it was going to be a homer,” Schuemann said.
Schuemann raced back to the wall and leaped as high as he could.
He timed it perfectly. With Schuemann’s arm near the top of the wall, he made a great catch to either prevent a tiebreaking extra-base hit, or maybe even bring back a two-out homer. Watching the replay, it still wasn’t easy to tell if the flyball would have carried over the wall or not.
“It ended up probably not going to go out, but I jumped as if it was and then reeled it in,” Schuemann said.
Schuemann’s diving catch in the second inning was just as impressive. On that one, he ran hard in and to his right about eight steps, then dove forward to rob Steven Kwan of a double.
“Honestly, the wall ball was probably tougher,” Schuemann said. “The first one, I got a pretty good first step. I knew Kwan hit it pretty solid. I was just glad I came up with it.”
Schuemann could be getting more right field opportunities over the next couple months, as the Yankees learned late Thursday night that Judge will be sidelined at least until August with a stress fracture in his rib.
“I’m just trying to do what I can,” he said. “I feel like I know what my number one priority is. I understand my role. I know I’m a good defender, so if I can have days like (Thursday) then that’s awesome.”
Schuemann hasn’t played much since he was recalled from Triple-A in late April, but he’s been impressive almost every time he’s received an opportunity.
In 14 games, including six starts at four positions, Schuemann is hitting .250 with three RBIs. His five hits and seven walks in 27 plate appearances compute to a team-best .444 on-base percentage.
“He’s a versatile player,” Yankees pitcher Carlos Rodon said after a six-inning, one-run no-decision. “He’s got some speed. He can swing it. Defensively, you could stick him out there anywhere and he’s pretty comfortable. I played against Max when he was with the A’s. Just a good solid ballplayer. He plays the game hard and it’s nice to have him.”
Starting his career with the Athletics, Schuemann hit .212 with nine homers, 50 RBI and a .306 on-base percentage playing 234 games all over the field from 2024-25. The right-handed hitter was traded to the Yankees for 20-year-old pitching prospect Luis Burgos on Feb. 9, then made a good first impression in spring training before being optioned to Triple-A.
Schuemann showcased his versatility since being recalled on April 28 when designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton went on the injured list with a calf strain.
“He’s been good this year,” second baseman Jazz Chisholm said. “He’s up there swinging at strikes. He’s really working pitchers. I don’t think I’ve seen him without a full count yet. His defense has been great. We all knew that he was a pretty good defender before he got over here, so it’s pretty sick to see him just adjusting well to (playing outfield at) Yankee Stadium.”
Starting at second base last Sunday in Sacramento, Schuemann contributed a walk and two-run double when the Yankees scored 13 runs in the third inning of their 13-8 win over the Athletics.
“Every time he gets in there, he seems to do something,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He didn’t get on base (in three at-bats Thursday), but a really good diving catch coming in and he played the wall out there. So he provided that little bit of spark that he seems to do every time he gets in there.”
Schuemann had some preparation for his first start in right field, with 27 games and 24 starts in the minors, one inning in 2024 for the Athletics and 10 innings over five games as a sub this season.
“I didn’t even realize that was my first start,” he said. “Not bad.”
Schuemann certainly has won over his Yankees teammates.
“Max is very impressive,” Yankees left fielder Cody Bellinger said. “He really is just a freak athlete. I think if we needed him to catch, he could catch. He just does everything on the field well.
“I did not know that this was first career start in right field. I would have never guessed.”
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