Clarke Schmidt

Clarke Douglas Schmidt (born February 20, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Known for his versatile pitching repertoire and competitive spirit, Schmidt has emerged as a key member of the Yankees’ rotation since making his MLB debut in 2020. This article explores his early life, college career, professional journey, and notable achievements.

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Early Life and Education

Clarke Schmidt was born in Acworth, Georgia, to Dwight and Donna Schmidt. His father, Dwight, a 30-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps and a pilot, has occasionally flown the Yankees’ team plane and threw the ceremonial first pitch to Clarke before a game against the Texas Rangers on May 22, 2025. Schmidt’s older brother, Clate Schmidt, is a former minor league pitcher who battled cancer, inspiring Clarke’s resilience and dedication.

Schmidt attended Allatoona High School in Acworth, where he played baseball but went undrafted in the MLB Draft. He then enrolled at the University of South Carolina, joining the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team. As a freshman in 2015, Schmidt appeared in 18 games (10 starts), posting a 4.81 ERA with 55 strikeouts. By his sophomore year, he became the team’s ace, recording a 9–5 record with a 3.40 ERA and 129 strikeouts in 17 starts. In his junior year, he went 4–2 with a 1.34 ERA and 70 strikeouts before undergoing Tommy John surgery due to a torn UCL in April 2017.

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Professional Career

Draft and Minor Leagues (2017–2020)

The New York Yankees selected Schmidt in the first round (16th overall) of the 2017 MLB Draft, signing him for a $2,184,300 bonus. Due to his recent surgery, he did not pitch in 2017. In 2018, Schmidt debuted professionally with the GCL Yankees (Rookie-level) and Staten Island Yankees (Low-A), posting a 3.09 ERA over 23.1 innings.

In 2019, Schmidt progressed through the Yankees’ minor league system, starting with the Tampa Tarpons (High-A) and advancing to the Trenton Thunder (Double-A). His performance showcased his potential as a top prospect, earning him a promotion to the major leagues on September 4, 2020.

MLB Debut and Early Years (2020–2022)

Schmidt made his MLB debut on September 4, 2020, as a relief pitcher for the Yankees. His rookie season was limited due to the COVID-19-shortened schedule, and in 2021, a right elbow strain sidelined him early in spring training. Despite setbacks, Schmidt showed promise in spot starts and relief appearances, relying on a mix of a four-seam fastball, two-seam fastball, slider, and changeup.

In 2022, Schmidt split time between the majors and minors, refining his command and adding a cutter to his arsenal. His versatility made him a valuable swingman for the Yankees.

Breakout and Rotation Role (2023–2025)

Schmidt joined the Yankees’ starting rotation full-time in 2023, posting a 4.64 ERA over 159 innings. In 2024, he took a significant step forward, achieving a 2.52 ERA and a 19.0% K-BB rate before a right lat strain sidelined him for three months. Upon returning in September, he struggled with rust but showed glimpses of his refined cutter, sweeper, sinker, and knuckle-curve, which kept hitters off-balance.

As of June 2025, Schmidt has solidified his role as a reliable starter, with a career ERA of approximately 3.16 across 62.2 innings in the 2025 season. He recorded a standout performance on June 16, 2025, pitching 7.2 scoreless innings against the Los Angeles Angels, lowering his ERA to 3.16. His consistency, with six starts of at least 6 innings in 2025, marks a career milestone.

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Pitching Style

Schmidt is known for his diverse pitch mix, including:

• Four-seam fastball: Reaches 95–96 mph with good movement.
• Two-seam fastball: Features heavy sinking action.
• Cutter: His primary pitch since 2023, used effectively against both right- and left-handed hitters.
• Sweeper and slider: Mid-80s breaking balls with sharp tilt, generating strikeouts.
• Knuckle-curve and changeup: Secondary pitches that disrupt hitters’ timing.

His ability to avoid barrels (top 20th percentile) and limit hard contact makes him a formidable starter. In 2025, his average exit velocity against was 87.8 mph, with a 5.9% barrel rate.

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Personal Life

Schmidt’s competitive nature and strong work ethic are attributed to his family’s military background and his brother Clate’s cancer battle. He opted to stay home from summer ball in 2015 to support Clate, showcasing his loyalty and character.

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Career Statistics

As of June 2025 (per ESPN and Baseball-Reference):

• MLB Record: 19–18
• ERA: 3.83 (career)
• Strikeouts: 347 (career)
• Innings Pitched: 362.1 (career)
• WHIP: 1.28 (career)

For detailed 2025 stats, including per-game breakdowns, visit ESPN.

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Notable Achievements

• First-round draft pick (16th overall, 2017 MLB Draft)
• SEC Best Control (2017, per Baseball America)
• Yankees’ No. 5 prospect (2019, per Baseball America)
• Career-high 8 scoreless innings (May 2024 vs. Minnesota Twins)