The Yankees already have some strong pieces in the farm system. Is young right-hander Clarke Schmidt an impact candidate going forward?
The Yankees have some young talent in their farm system, including Deivi Garcia, Jasson Dominguez, and Estevan Florial. However, there’s one Yankee farmhand that has a lot to offer and can even contribute to the Yankees as soon as next season: 23-year-old Clarke Schmidt.
Who is Clarke Schmidt?
Schmidt was drafted 16th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft by the Yankees. Having Tommy John surgery just a month before he was drafted, Schmidt made his professional debut in the GCL in 2019 and finished the season in Double-A Trenton. With a mix of a fastball, curveball, and changeup, Schmidt has a strong mix of pitches to use. If he can strengthen and develop a fourth pitch, he may be set up for success.
Schmidt made 18 starts in the minors and pitched in 19 games total. He put up a very solid 3.47 ERA to go along with six wins in 90.2 innings pitched. Schmidt also struck out 102 batters compared to allowing just 79 hits. For someone who didn’t make his professional debut until 2 years after being drafted, the young righty is off to a promising start in the Yankees’ farm system.
If the Yankees Call Up Schmidt…
He can help the Yankees down the stretch of the 2020 season. According to MLB.com, Schmidt’s ETA is 2020, so it is under the impression that he can make an impact on a big-league club as soon as next year. Perhaps if a Yankee starter goes down with an injury, Schmidt can be a guy to fill that role. Luis Severino, James Paxton, and Masahiro Tanaka all have an injury history, so it’s almost expected that the Yankees will need a few reinforcements throughout the course of the season.
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Or he Could be Traded
We all understand New York to be in win-now mode. This may lead Schmidt to rack up interest on the trade block and possibly may be moved throughout the course of the offseason. If a big name pops up that entices the Yankees on the trade market, don’t put it past General Manager Brian Cashman to trade one of his top farm pieces.
Overall, the Yankees can make Schmidt useful, whether that be on the trade block, in next year’s rotation, or even the bullpen. Expect to see some action with Schmidt in the coming months, as he will receive more interest from other teams as the offseason rolls on. Then we should be able to discover the Yankees’ true intention for the promising righty.