Clarke Schmidt, New York Yankees’ potential fifth starter, made a profound impact in one of the last spring training outings.
The New York Yankees have a glorious history of success, having won 27 World Series titles in their illustrious past. However, in recent years, they have failed to make it back to the top of the mountain owing to stiff competition from Houston Astros in the postseason. Nonetheless, this season, the fans have high hopes for the starry bullpen.
However, one of the many dents in that hope is the lack of pitching depth. The Yankees have lost half of their starting rotation to injuries, with just Gerrit Cole and Nestor Cortes remaining as the only healthy pitchers. Meanwhile, a potential replacement candidate just shook up things in his recent spring training outing, and he might be the Bombers’ last ray of hope in salvaging the starting rotation.
Clarke Schmidt Registers Seven Outs In Recent Spring Training Outing
The Yankees drafted Clarke Schmidt in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft, and he quickly showed his potential in the minor leagues. In 2019, he received a promotion to Trenton Thunder. Further, he also received a call-up to the major league the following year, but he struggled in his limited appearance. Moreover, persistent injuries further derailed his growth in the major league. Regardless, the Bombers decided to hand him over a second chance and called him up for this year’s spring training.
While the pitcher recorded steady numbers throughout the Grapefruit League, he broke the barriers in Monday’s game against the Rays. Clarke got a chance to start and was on a roll till the fifth innings. In 4 1/3 innings, he struck out as many as seven hitters and allowed two runs, three hits, and a walk. Though he recorded 66 pitchers, he ran out of fuel in the fifth inning and eventually had to pull out.
Nonetheless, the coaching staff and critics looked highly impressed as Schmidt put in contention for the starter role in the opening-day rotation. The pitcher is fighting a battle for the fifth starter’s spot with peer Domingo German. But with piling up injuries, both throwers stand a chance to feature in the rotation.
Schmidt Ready To Step Up In The Wake Of Carlos Rodon’s Injury
Carlos Rodon, the New York Yankees’ latest acquisition, injured his throwing arm during spring training and has been placed on the injury list ever since. That leaves an empty spot on the starting rotation. Moreover, Clarke Schmidt and Domingo German remain the best possible replacement in the bullpen thus far. Speaking on the issue, Clarke first lauded the pitching depth of the Yankees and called it one of the best in the league.
Furthermore, he said that every young guy in the bullpen is unique and capable of stepping up for the team at a crucial time. Hence, Clarke Schmidt looked confident about replacing Rodon in the rotation if given a chance. Moreover, if rumors are to be believed, Schmidt is all set to feature in the starting rotation in the second game of the league.
