BYU Baseball: Two Cougars taken in the MLB Draft

BYU Baseball may lose two of their top players for 2019, as both Daniel Schneemann and David Clawson heard their names called in the MLB Draft.

Two BYU Baseball players now have a decision to make regarding their future.

Both Daniel Schneemann and David Clawson heard their names called in the MLB Draft. Schneemann heard his name first, taken in the 33rd round by the Cleveland Indians. Clawson went not long after, going in the 37th round to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Both players still have college eligibility, and now they’ll have to decide whether to turn pro or stay at BYU.

Schneemann just finished his junior year, so he could return to the Cougars for a final year. In 2018, he hit .238 with 3 home runs and 28 RBI. Seven of those RBI were game-winners.

Perhaps more importantly, he’s a defensive wizard at shortstop. In 2017 he earned WCC Defensive Player of the Year honors, and it’s likely his defense that attracted the Indians.

Clawson’s decision may be even tougher. He’s just finished his sophomore season, so he still has two more years as a Cougar. In 2018, he batted .291 with 14 RBI and 15 runs scored.

Just like with Schneemann, Clawson was likely picked for his defensive prowess. As a catcher, he had a .989 fielding percentage, and threw out 15 of the 24 runners that tried to steal against him this season.

If the Cougars lose both players, it will be a big setback in BYU’s attempt to turn around the program after a disappointing 2018 season. After being picked to finish first in the WCC this season, the Cougars finished 22-28, including an 11-16 record in-conference.

Both players will have to weigh whether they think they can improve their draft stock by returning to BYU for at least another year.

If not, then both have likely played their final games as Cougars.