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Clarke Schmidt looking to show Yankees he can be an option - New York Post

TAMPA — While the Yankees figure out who’s going to fill out their rotation in the absence of James Paxton, who will be out 3-4 months following back surgery, they will no doubt have an eye on Clarke Schmidt at some point this season.

The 2017 first-round pick out of South Carolina will be in major league camp for the first time when pitchers and catchers report next week.

“I just want to get that experience of being around guys who have been there and had success,’’ Schmidt said at the team’s minor league complex this week. “There’s not one person there that I can’t pick up something from, and I want to make the most of it.’’

The Yankees drafted Schmidt 16th overall, despite the fact he was coming off Tommy John surgery. He was limited to 23 ¹/₃ innings in his first pro season in 2018 and pitched 90 ²/₃ innings last year, as the Yankees built him up slowly. He finished the season with three solid starts at Double-A Trenton.

He dealt with some forearm tightness that Schmidt called normal in coming back from UCL surgery, adding that he has otherwise felt strong.

Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt signs an autograph for a fan Wednesday.
Yankees pitcher Clarke Schmidt signs an autograph for a fan Wednesday.Charles Wenzelberg

Schmidt figures to be on an innings limit this season, but he’s not ruling out a promotion to The Bronx at some point in 2020.

“I’m not sitting there thinking about what’s gonna happen,’’ Schmidt said. “I’ll control what I can control. If I pitch to my strength and ability, I can make some noise and at least put my name in that conversation.”

That starts next week when camp opens.

“I want to go and make an impression,’’ Schmidt said. “I want to open some eyes, impress the right people and make the most of it. It will be a learning experience for sure, but I’m not just going into it looking to just have fun.”

The Acworth, Ga., native said he grew up admiring former Braves right-hander Tim Hudson.

“I’ve always been a student of the game and being in Atlanta, I like watching hard sinker guys like him,’’ Schmidt said of Hudson, who had a 17-year career with Atlanta, Oakland and San Francisco. “I love Pedro Martinez and those pitchers who have good stuff and can get strikeouts in big spots.”

How Schmidt will factor into the organization’s rotation depth remains to be seen.

In Paxton’s absence, Jordan Montgomery or Luis Cessa could get looks to slide in behind Gerrit Cole, Luis Severino, Masahiro Tanaka and J.A. Happ. Jonathan Loaisiga is another option.

Domingo German will be out until early June serving the rest of his suspension for violating MLB’s domestic violence policy last year.

Further down the line comes top prospect Deivi Garcia, who pitched his way into consideration for promotion to The Bronx last year, as well as Mike King.

And then there’s Schmidt.

“I’ve always been a guy who’s been confident in my game,’’ Schmidt said. “There’s times when you’re going through those lows and it’s hard to stay confident, but I believed in myself.”

His main goal is to stay healthy.

“I want to show what I can do and the best way to do that is to get outs and throw innings,’’ Schmidt said. “Everything else will take care of itself.”

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