St. Ignatius Prep (Cleveland, Ohio) running back Grant Washington committed to the Gophers football program Thursday, flipping his previous commitment from Central Michigan.

Washington had been committed to Central Michigan since May 21, but after the Gophers’ first prospect camp of the summer, he was offered by coach P.J. Fleck and his staff, then flipped to the Maroon & Gold on Thursday.

Listed at 5-foot-10, 195 pounds, he had an impressive junior campaign for St. Ignatius Prep, the same high school as former Gophers kicker Matthew Trickett. He picked up 15 total Division I offers, but the Gophers were his first from a major conference.

The Gophers now have 11 players committed to their 2025 recruiting class and Washington is their first running back. It’s a very important weekend ahead for Fleck and his staff, with more than 20 official visitors on campus for their annual “Summer Splash” event, so be on the lookout for more news on All Gophers.

– Jackson Kollock QB, Laguna Beach, Calif.
– Emmanuel Karmo LB, Robbinsdale, Minn.
– Cross Nimmo TE, Mentor, Ohio
– Torin Pettaway DL, Middleton, Wis.
– Enoch Atewogbola DE, Avion, Ind.
– Zachry Harden CB, Covington, Ga.
– Cameron Begalle WR, Andover, Minn.
– Colin Hansen, DL, Byron, Minn.
– Ethan Stendel, LB, Caledonia, Minn.
– Rhett Hlavacka, LB, Fond Du Lac, Wis.
– Grant Washington, RB, Cleveland, Ohio

CLEVELAND — A climate-focused coalition has announced they are beginning a campaign to increase the use of solar power in Cleveland and Akron, according to a press release.

The campaign was announced by America Is All In, which describes itself as “the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action.” The release notes that they will be seeking to bring attention to the benefits solar power when it comes to cost, specifically citing the Biden administration’s Inflation Reduction Act.

“We’re helping Ohio go all in on solar. The clean energy revolution is here,” said Gina McCarthy, managing co-chair of America Is All In, in the release. “Working with teams on the ground, we’ll be talking directly to communities about how they can take advantage of the historic opportunities available through the Inflation Reduction Act to ditch fossil fuels once and for all and enjoy clean, affordable, and reliable solar power. Investing in solar means good-paying jobs right here in Ohio and cleaner air for generations to come.”

The release notes the importance of utilizing solar in historically disadvantaged communities.

“Air pollution is responsible for increased rates of asthma, heart disease, strokes, cancers and other health issues, predominantly in low-income, Black and Brown communities,” the release reads.

The Industrial Heartland Solar Coalition was given a $156 million grant in April for the installation of solar in homes throughout eight different states. According to the release, it’s expected to save Ohioans $19 million in energy costs. That’s in addition to cutting 160,000 tons of carbon emissions per year and adding 1,000 jobs in the solar field.

“Cleveland is proud to be at the forefront of climate action. We were the first city in Ohio to commit to 100 percent clean and renewable energy by 2050, a community-driven target, and this campaign by America Is All In will go a long way in helping us deliver on that target,” said Justin Bibb, Cleveland mayor and chair of Climate Mayors. “We are going to make sure that everyone in Cleveland, especially our historically disadvantaged communities and neighborhoods, are able to enjoy the benefits of solar energy, from lower energy bills to cleaner air.”

Akron’s Mayor Shammas Malik called it a pivotal time for climate action and said this allows them to see the benefit of the Inflation Reduction Act.

“Akron was thrilled to join Power a Clean Future Ohio earlier this year to reduce our emissions and improve sustainability, and we’re committed to bringing the benefits, reliability, and affordability of solar power to our communities,” he said.

For more information, visit the America Is All In website.

Until this past spring training, the name Daniel Schneemann was not likely on the minds of Cleveland Guardians fans.

In fact, Schneemann had not appeared on Major League Baseball Top 100 prospect lists.

Not to be denied his dream, under the radar Daniel Schneemann is a man who literally played his way onto a major league baseball team.

On June 2, 2024, the Cleveland Guardians promoted Schneemann, 27, from Triple-A Columbus.

Schneemann was so impressive in spring training, the Guardians continued to find ways to expose his versatility when Schneemann’s season began with Triple-A Columbus.

Prior to his promotion to the Guardians, the left-handed hitting Schneemann played second base, third base, shortstop, left field, center field, and right field for the Columbus Clippers this season.

Talk about a true, versatile, Swiss Army Knife type player, Schneemann is capable of playing any of those positions with high quality defensive ability.

However, it is his consistently loud bat that brought Schneemann the realization of his life’s dream.

Effective immediately, Daniel Schneemann is wearing No. 10 for the Cleveland Guardians.

He is likely to see lots of playing time, keeping his potent bat in the lineup as often as possible, against both right, and left-handed pitchers.

About Daniel Schneemann:

Born in San Diego, in June 2018, Daniel Schneemann was a 33rd round draft pick of the Cleveland Guardians. He was signed out of Brigham Young University, in Provo, Utah.

The Deseret News wrote about Schneemann here:

Schneeman was pick No. 1,003 in the draft.

Schneemann received a $50,000 signing bonus from Cleveland.

Schneemann was listed as a shortstop when drafted.

It isn’t often that a 33rd round draft pick breaks through to the big leagues.

But to this old scout, Daniel Schneemann is a very special player.

To this old scout, Schneeman makes the most of his many abilities; on both offense, and defense.

Schneemann plays like he loves the game. Which he does.

In three years at Brigham Young, Schneemann hit .288, with 21 doubles, five triples, five home runs, and 76 RBIs in 566 at-bats. He struck out only 88 times.

Daniel Schneemann typifies a player bound and determined to take advantage of every athletic gift he has been given. He is not to be denied.

Daniel Schneemann’s wife, Allie, told MLB. com about a conversation she had with her now husband, when they met in college. “I asked him what he wanted to study, and he was like, “I’m just studying baseball. I just want to make it to the bigs,” Allie said.

He made it to the Big Leagues at the age of 27, which puts him at the prime of his baseball life.

Schneemann’s first two years at Triple-A went like this:

2023=.267/.360/.437/.797 with 30 doubles, a triple, 13 homers, and 60 RBIs is 484 plate appearances. He stole 17 bases. stuck out 100 times, and drew 59 walks.

2024= .294/.428/.556/.984 with 15 doubles, a triple, 10 home runs, and 41 RBIs in 223 plate appearances. He had four stolen bases. 52 strikeouts, and 41 walks.

Schneemann raked his way to the major leagues.

Schneeman doubled and drove in two runs in his debut game June 2.

Scouting Daniel Schneemann:

Profiling as a solid utility player in college, Schneemann is now beating the odds that he can play regularly at the major league level.

With his glove ahead of his bat while at Brigham Young, Schneemann was viewed as a player capable of playing short, second, or third at a high quality defensive level.

His bat caught up to his glove. And then some.

And now, he has shown the Guardians he is a very capable outfielder as well.

The man can flat out hit. Ropes. Line drives. Hard line drives. And, he has enough strength in his 6-0, 185 pound frame to hit the ball out of the park. Any park.

These are among the thoughts of this scout after observing Schneemann in almost every game he played this past spring training:

“Excellent hard contact. Finds the barrel. Knows the strike zone well. Doesn’t get fooled easily. Line-drive power, especially to pull side. Can hit lefties. Good defensive range all over the diamond. Reliable, versatile defender, solid arm strength and carry. More than a platoon player. Could dominate if given the chance.”

Scouts often advocate loudly for a player they really like.

If this scout were still with a club, this scout would have advocated loudly for Daniel Schneemann.

Schneemann has incredible potential to positively impact baseball games.

To this scout, Schneemann is reliable offensively. He has a short, quick stroke, with quick hands, and strong wrists. He could surprise and hit double-digit homers with consistency. However, he may be more of a “doubles machine.”

With good range, and a quick first step moving to the ball, Schneemann has the ability to play shortstop. Every day shortstop. He has the arm strength to make the play from the hole.

Given his ability as a shortstop, he can easily adjust to playing second, third, or anywhere in the outfield.

So far, Schneemann has played two games for Cleveland. He has two hits in six plate appearances. He has walked once, struck out once, and has two RBIs.

Scouting Grade:

From this scout’s first look at Daniel Schneemann to this day, it is apparent that Schneemann is a “winning” type baseball player. There is no need to platoon him. He can play anywhere on the field.

Scouting Grade: 55. Note: A grade 55 player is better than average, plays every game, and produces with more than one highly credible tool.

If he gets regular playing time with Cleveland, Schneemann is capable of a Grade 60 player-an occasional All Star. But that will require regular playing time, and a spot in the lineup every game.