Top pitching prospect among Yanks’ spring non-roster invitees
The Yankees are bringing one of their top pitching prospects to camp this spring. The Bronx Bombers’ 2017 No. 16 pick, Clarke Schmidt, leads a crop of 19 Yankees non-roster invitees battling for a spot on the 2020 team.
Schmidt, 23, is the 62nd best prospect in baseball according to Baseball America. He pitched to a 3.47 ERA across three levels of the minors, striking out more than 10 batters per nine innings last season. The righty starter has recovered well from his April 2017 Tommy John surgery and can still touch 96-mph with his fastball.
Also on the list is Domingo Acevedo, another former top prospect. Once the owner of a 103-mph fastball, Acevedo has largely struggled to establish himself despite posting an 11.34 K/9 in 16.2 Triple-A innings. The almost 26-year-old’s injury history has marred his path to the Bronx, limiting him to just 453 innings over his seven-season minor league career.
The Yankees also welcome back two relievers from the 2019 team, lefty matchup Tyler Lyons and swingman David Hale. Lyons, who turns 32 on Feb. 21, threw 8.1 down the stretch, then struck out four of the five batters he faced in the playoffs.
Meanwhile, Hale went 3-0 with a 3.11 ERA and two saves in 20 games, his best stretch in the majors since his stellar 2016 in Atlanta (4-5 3.30 ERA). Unfortunately for the 32-year-old right-hander, Hale’s season ended early because of persistent back issues, following just about all of his teammates to the Injured List.
Here is the full list of nonroster invitees:
RHP Domingo Acevedo, LHP Luis Avilan, C Kellin Deglan, OF Zack Granite, RHP David Hale, INF/OF Rosell Herrera, C Chris Iannetta, C Erik Kratz, LHP Tyler Lyons, OF Thomas Milone, RHP Dan Otero, C Wynston Sawyer, C Josh Thole, RHP Nick Tropeano, OF Trey Amburgey, INF Chris Gittens, INF Kyle Holder, RHP Clarke Schmidt and RHP Alexander Vizcaino