Two former BYU baseball standouts saw action in the 2024 MLB season.
With the World Series getting underway this weekend, let's take a look at how these Cougars performed on the diamond.
Justin Sterner
After signing with the Miami Marlins organization as an undrafted free agent in 2020, right-handed pitcher Justin Sterner has come a long ways from his days pitching for the Single-A Jupiter Hammerheads.
Earlier this year, the California native found himself pitching for the Tampa Bay Rays in his MLB debut.
Sterner saw time in two games, throwing four strikeouts in four innings pitched.
Justin Sterner shines in his big league debut 💪 pic.twitter.com/USedMQ0pmM
— Rays on FanDuel Sports Network (@FanDuelSN_Rays) June 1, 2024
"It was a special experience... a privilege and a blessing," Sterner told the media after pitching two scoreless innings in his debut against the Orioles.
Sterner played 34 games for the Rays triple-A affiliate, Durham Bulls, and had a respectable 3.28 ERA.
He'll be vying to get back on the Rays roster next season.
Daniel Schneemann
Daniel Schneemann had as wild of a first MLB season as you can have.
In Schneemann's very first at bat, he ripped a 2-RBI double down the right field line, proving his bat could be helpful for the Cleveland Guardians.
Schneemann had a hot start to his MLB career, but there was a stark difference between the beginning and the end of the season.
Pre-All-Star break, Schneemann hit four home runs, had 14 RBI and a .236 batting average.
After the All-Star break, his numbers dipped to only one homer, eight RBI, and a disappointing .202 batting average with eight extra games to his name.
The utility, do-it-all player that Guardians fans clamored over in June did not finish his rookie season as well as he hoped for, but playing 73 games for the AL East champions as a rookie is still an impressive feat.
He has shown flashes of being a solid player on a great team, but he'll need to put it all together to have a bigger impact in the MLB.
2025 Outlook
Both Sterner and Schneemann will be fighting for playing time on their respective teams and could be joined by another former Cougar next season.
Michael Rucker will look to get back to the majors in 2025. After playing three seasons with the Cubs, the pitcher was traded to the Phillies and subsequently injured his throwing hand.
He spent the season on rehab assignment, playing in High-A, Double-A, and Triple-A.
The Washington Nationals claimed Rucker off waivers in September and he could be a welcome addition to Washington next spring.