A 28-year-old utility infielder with a subpar bat but exceptional glove is using the Yankees’ state-of-the-art hitting technology to turn spring training into a roster chase that could solve the team’s late-inning defensive flexibility issues.
TAMPA — The competition for the final bench spot on the New York Yankees roster isn’t about power numbers or highlight-reel plays. It’s about a 28-year-old utility infielder from Kalamazoo, Michigan, who might have just found the edge he needs to stick in the majors.
The Utility Man’s Edge: Defense, Flexibility, and a Question Mark at the Plate
Max Schuemann isn’t a prototypical prospects; he’s a seasoned defender who played six different positions with the Oakland Athletics last season alone. A natural infielder, he primarily manned second base but also handled shortstop—a skill that immediately makes him a candidate to back up José Caballero while Anthony Volpe recovers from injury.
His glove is unquestionably big league quality. The issue has always been the bat. Over the past two seasons with the A’s, Schuemann hit just .212 with a .603 OPS across 234 games. Those numbers scream “career minor leaguer,” not “Opening Day roster.”
The Trajekt Machine: A Game-Changer Hiding in Plain Sight
Enter the Trajekt machine, a robotic pitching simulator that replicates any pitcher’s delivery and arsenal. It’s standard equipment in Yankees spring training, but it was entirely absent in Oakland—where Schuemann played his home games at a minor league ballpark without modern luxuries.
“That’s been fun to use,” Schuemann said from Steinbrenner Field. “Whether it benefits me or not, I’m not really sure. But I do feel like it’s helpful for timing going into a game. I mean, you’re basically facing a pitcher before you actually face him.”
For a hitter with Schuemann’s profile—high strike-zone awareness, low chase rate, few strikeouts, but consistently low exit velocity—the machine offers a controlled environment to refine timing without the risk of live pitching. Early returns are encouraging: he’s 5-for-12 with seven walks and two steals in 19 Grapefruit League plate appearances.
Roster Chess: How Schuemann Fits Into the Yankees’ Puzzle
The Yankees’ bench is taking shape, but there’s still ambiguity. Paul Goldschmidt and Amed Rosario are locked in as veteran pieces. Randal Grichuk is the leading candidate for a righty-hitting outfield spot. That leaves one flexible bench slot, and Schuemann is making a case.
Two scenarios elevate his stock dramatically:
- Shortstop Depth: If Ryan McMahon isn’t trusted to cover shortstop effectively and Oswaldo Cabrera‘s recovery lags, Schuemann’s ability to handle the position becomes invaluable.
- Defensive Flexibility: His capacity to play second, short, and even outfield corners allows the Yankees to carry an extra pitcher or a more specialized bat without sacrificing defensive integrity late in games.
“Really just trying to get my feet on the ground, basically, and show [the Yankees] that I can play all the positions that I’m set to play,” Schuemann said. “My goal in camp is just check as many boxes as possible.”
Michigan Roots and a Yankee Legacy: The Personal Connection
Schuemann’s journey has a serendipitous layer. The Yankees have a well-documented affinity for infielders from Michigan (think Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez). Schuemann was born in Kalamazoo and grew up idolizing the Captain.
“I have my fair share of [Derek] Jeter memorabilia,” he admitted with a smile. “He was definitely a role model of mine.”
That connection is minor, but in a roster battle of inches, any cultural fit or personal motivation can tip the scales.
What’s at Stake: More Than Just One Man’s Job
If Schuemann makes the team, it signals a specific Yankees philosophy: prioritize defensive versatility and technology-driven development over traditional bench profiles. It would be a win for their analytics department and their investment in cutting-edge tools like the Trajekt machine.
For Schuemann, it’s a breakthrough. He was traded last month for minor league righty Luis Burgos—a peripheral prospect. That the Yankees gave up anything for him indicates they saw something others didn’t. With minor league options remaining, he’ll be in the organization regardless, but an Opening Day roster spot would validate his approach and potentially unlock a higher-ceiling career.
The fan conversation is already buzzing: Is this a cute spring story, or a real roster solution? The data suggests the latter—his plate discipline is elite, and the Trajekt could be the missing link to turn contact into垒. If he’s a .250 hitter with that glove? He’s a major leaguer for a decade.
For now, he’s taking daily reps with the robot, high-fiving teammates, and hoping the numbers hold. The Yankees have until March 30 to decide. Every walk, every sharp turn at shortstop, every confident swing against the machine matters—and Max Schuemann knows it.
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