Clarke Schmidt’s stuff has always put his potential high among pitchers in the Yankees farm system, but the former first-round pick has often been held back from reaching that potential due to issues with command.
In Friday’s start against the Orioles, it was more of the same from the 27-year-old.
Schmidt walked three, was hit hard nearly every time Baltimore hitters made contact, and exited in the fourth inning after allowing four runs on five hits, putting the Yanks in a 4-0 deficit that they couldn’t quite overcome in a 7-6 loss at Camden Yards.
After the game, Aaron Boone challenged Schmidt to reach that next level the organization believes he can by getting the location down, worrying less about how the pitch looks and put more focus into where the pitch ends up.
“That’s what separates average from good, and good from great,” Boone said. “It’s that level. Can you graduate to that level of command?
“Stuff is fine. He has the pitches and he has all the weapons. Can he get to that next level to be that starter, that front-line starter? That’s what it’s gonna take. That’s all there is to it.”
Boone wants to see Schmidt simplify things on the mound to give the Yankees better outings. So far this season, Schmidt has allowed seven runs in 6.2 innings of work, and New York will likely need more from him as Frankie Montas, Carlos Rodon, and Luis Severino all remain on the IL.
“When you’re out there, it’s also about focusing on the glove and where I want to target, and trust the shape [of the pitch] is gonna be there,” Boone said. “He’s done all the preparation and the work, and he’s got all the pitches, trust that and now just focus on the glove.”
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