Clarke Schmidt

Schmidt entered spring training in 2021 with an outside shot at a spot in the Yankees' Opening Day rotation, but an elbow injury curtailed that possibility and cost him much of the campaign. He returned to the mound in July and posted strong numbers in the minors, including a 2.10 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 32:8 K:BB over 25.2 innings at Triple-A. The right-hander got a small taste of major-league action but pitched just 6.1 frames, allowing four earned runs and notching a 6:5 K:BB. Schmidt did a good job of mixing up his pitches, throwing each of four different offerings (a slider, four-seam fastball, sinker and curveball) over 15% of the time, but only the curve was notably effective, as opposing hitters went just 3-for-13 against it. Schmidt will be 26 when the 2022 campaign kicks off, so the organization may not want him toiling much longer in the minors. He could open in the big-league bullpen but should be among the primary options if a rotation spot opens up.

After weeks of speculation that Schmidt could join the Yankees' rotation, he finally made an unceremonious debut out of the bullpen in early September with runners already on base. All told, he made three appearances with one of those coming as a starter, logging a 7:5 K:BB in 6.1 innings. This was the first time Schmidt's FIP was higher than 3.40 (4.30) at any pro level, and he was hardly put in position to hit the ground running. Schmidt throws multiple mid-90s fastballs that give hitters different looks, while his hammer curve is his out pitch. He has the command and pitchability to pitch near the top of a rotation, but he needs a second offspeed pitch to neutralize lefties for the whole profile to click. He rarely threw his changeup with poor results. With just three starts at Double-A under his belt, he will probably open in the minors. He could join the MLB rotation for good once he looks ready.

The Yankees gambled when they selected Schmidt with the 16th overall pick in 2017 just months after he underwent Tommy John surgery, but if his first full pro season is any indication, the payoff could be huge. A 6-foot-1, 200-pound righty, Schmidt sits 92-95 mph with his fastball (touches 97) and his slider and changeup both have a chance to be 60-grade offerings or better. While he has only logged 114 pro innings, Schmidt has advanced pitchability and is adept at sequencing and manipulating different pitches. He missed five weeks in the first half for an undisclosed reason -- it may have just been to manage his innings -- but after returning he logged a 3.06 ERA, 0.99 WHIP and 79:19 K:BB in 67.2 innings across stops at High-A and Double-A. A potential No. 2 starter, Schmidt should split the year between Double-A and Triple-A. He may get a late-season call if the big club needs reinforcements.

For those who actively work the waiver wire for prospects in dynasty leagues, many of the best pickups in recent seasons have been pitchers coming off Tommy John surgery -- Walker Buehler (2016), Jesus Luzardo (2017), Chris Paddack (2018). Schmidt is a strong candidate to serve as the 2019 example of this phenomenon. The Yankees selected the South Carolina product with the 16th overall pick in 2017, despite the fact he underwent TJS two months before the draft. He returned to competitive action in 2018, abusing young hitters in the Gulf Coast League and New York-Penn League on the strength of a nasty four-pitch mix. His mid-90s fastball has heavy sink, which gives it a chance to develop into a 70-grade offering. He also works with a plus low-80s slider, an upper-80s changeup that flashed plus last season and a useable curveball. His command wasn't quite back last year, but if he is able to consistently locate his pitches in 2019, his stock should explode.