New pal could help Clarke make mark
TAMPA — As Clarke Schmidt answered some questions on Thursday, his new neighbor interrupted him mid-sentence.
“Clarke’s nasty,” Marcus Stroman interjected as Schmidt spoke.
Schmidt said it’s “probably not” a coincidence that he and Stroman are next to one another in the Yankees’ revamped clubhouse at George M. Steinbrenner Field. After all, they have a similar arsenal.
“Everyone who comes up to me is like, ‘Hey, we signed Stroman. You guys have the exact same pitch package. You can learn a lot from him,’” Schmidt said. “We’ve already picked each other’s brains and started that process.
“We’re going to be able to mesh well and have a good relationship.”
Schmidt’s locker placement could prove especially useful to his sinker, the pitch he’s worked on most since the end of last season. The offering is Stroman’s go-to.
“There’s probably something to be gained there from Clarke working with one of the true masters of the sinker that we have in this game,” said Gerrit Cole, who spent plenty of time mentoring Schmidt last year as the 27-yearold embarked on his first full season in the rotation.
That experience began with Schmidt “taking his lumps,” as Aaron Boone put it. The righthander posted a 6.30 ERA over his first nine starts, and some wondered if a demotion to the minors or the bullpen might benefit him. The Yankees never chose those paths, however, and Schmidt pitched to the tune of a 3.12 ERA over his next 15 outings.
From there, an intimidating Braves lineup bombarded Schmidt for a season-high eight earned runs on Aug. 14. He then recorded a 4.32 ERA over his last eight starts.
All in all, Schmidt totaled a 4.64 ERA, 32 starts and 159 innings, easily the most he’s thrown as a pro. While his overall numbers were nothing special, he showed plenty of growth throughout the season.
Now Schmidt is ready to mature some more — and retain his spot in the Yankee rotation.
Not that the pinstripers have many alternative choices. While the team has a few prospects and designated depth starters in camp, Schmidt is hardly on the hot seat after the Yankees made
Stroman the only significant addition to their staff.
Several talented starters remain available, including free agents Jordan Montgomery and Blake Snell. But Schmidt, who is projected to be the Yanks’ fifth starter, entered spring training with a vote of confidence from Brian Cashman.
“I was really proud of the season he had last year,” the general manager said before camp began. “Looking forward to running him back out there in 2024. He’s earned the right, and hopefully, he continues to take even further steps forward. I think he’s got a high ceiling.
“We’re counting on him to be a fixture in that rotation.”
In other words, the job is Schmidt’s to lose with the way the roster stands. Even if he won’t put it that way.
“It’s cool to hear it from (Cashman),” the pitcher said. “But I still gotta go out there and put the work in and prove myself every single day, so I’m excited to be able to go out there.
“I don’t want to sit here and say it’s my job to lose, but I feel like they’re definitely giving me the reins a little bit and giving me a leash and saying we’re expecting a lot out of you.”