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South Carolina baseball alum returning to New Yankees

by: Kevin Miller04/15/25kevinbmiller52
Former South Carolina pitcher Clarke Schmidt with the New York Yankees. Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports
Former South Carolina pitcher Clarke Schmidt with the New York Yankees. Photo Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports

South Carolina baseball alum Clarke Schmidt battled injuries last season and this spring and has not made his 2025 debut on the mound. However, that will change on Wednesday as the New York Yankees’ right-hander will make the first start of his season against the Kansas City Royals.

The Schmidt return will provide a big boost for the Yankees as the starting pitching in New York has struggled other than newly-acquired ace Max Fried.

After suffering a lat injury last season, Schmidt dealt with some shoulder and back discomfort this spring. According to Yankees manager Aaron Boone, though, his pitcher’s arm and back are “really good” now.

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Last season, Schmidt had the best results of his career, though they came in limited action thanks to a three-month stint on the Injured List. In 85.1 innings pitched, the former Gamecock logged a career-best 2.85 ERA and a 1.184 WHIP. He also struck out 93 batters, good for a 9.8 K/9 ratio.

Schmidt’s 2024 followed up a solid ’23 season with the Yankees. Though not outright dominant, he has become one of the most consistent and serviceable pitchers in the game. Including the 2024 World Series run, Schmidt has surrendered more than three runs just three times in his last 42 starts. He’s given up one run or fewer 15 times during that same span.

Simply put, when Clarke Schmidt is healthy, he is a player the Yankees can count on for positive results. As World Series contenders that have struggled on the mound, Schmidt’s return couldn’t have come at a better time. Even with the poor pitching, New York leads the AL East with a 9-7 record.

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During his South Carolina baseball career, Clarke Schmidt was elite. An All-American in 2016 as a sophomore, Schmidt was even better in 2017 before Tommy John surgery ended his season. While in garnet and black, he posted a 3.21 ERA and struck out 254 batters in 229.2 innings pitched. Schmidt was so good that the New York Yankees selected him in the first round of the 2017 MLB Draft (pick No. 16) despite his injury.

Gamecocks fans who’d like to tune in for Schmidt’s 2025 debut can stream the Yankees-Royals contest on Amazon Prime Video. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 p.m. at Yankee Stadium.

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