Clarke Schmidt Bio
Clarke Douglas Schmidt (born February 20, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Schmidt played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks and was selected by the Yankees in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2017 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut in 2020.
Early Life and Background
Clarke Schmidt was born in Acworth, Georgia, where he attended Allatoona High School. Although he was not drafted out of high school, he pursued his passion for baseball by playing at the University of South Carolina for the Gamecocks. During his time in college, Schmidt demonstrated his talent as a pitcher, quickly becoming a key player for the team.
Path to Baseball
In college, Schmidt had a notable career, pitching in 18 games as a freshman and achieving a 2–2 win-loss record with a 4.81 earned run average (ERA) and 55 strikeouts. His performance improved significantly in his sophomore year, where he became the team’s ace, pitching to a 9–5 record with a 3.40 ERA and 129 strikeouts. Unfortunately, Schmidt underwent Tommy John surgery in April 2017, which delayed his professional debut.
Clarke Schmidt Career
Early Career (2018-2020)
Clarke Schmidt was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2017 MLB draft, being the 16th overall pick. He signed with the Yankees on June 24, 2017, for a signing bonus of $2,184,300. Due to his surgery, he did not play in 2017 but made his professional debut in 2018, pitching for the GCL Yankees and Staten Island Yankees. In 2019, he began the season with the Tampa Tarpons and was later promoted to the Trenton Thunder.
Breakthrough (2020-Present)
On September 4, 2020, Schmidt made his major league debut as a relief pitcher for the New York Yankees. His first major league win came on April 19, 2022, and he recorded his first career save on July 24, 2022, against the Baltimore Orioles. Throughout the 2022 season, Schmidt made 14 starts, achieving a 4-4 record with a 3.32 ERA and 73 strikeouts across 78+2⁄3 innings pitched. However, on July 10, 2025, it was announced that Schmidt would undergo a second Tommy John surgery, ending his season.
Notable Works and Milestones
Clarke Schmidt’s signature work includes his performance during the 2022 MLB season, where he established himself as a reliable pitcher for the Yankees. His journey through injuries and recovery has been a significant part of his career narrative.
Clarke Schmidt Award Nominations
Throughout his career, Clarke Schmidt has been recognized for his contributions to the game, particularly for his performances during the 2022 season.
Clarke Schmidt Awards Won
While specific awards won are not detailed, Schmidt’s achievements on the field, including his first major league win and save, highlight his growing impact in Major League Baseball.
Clarke Schmidt Family
Clarke Schmidt has a brother, Clate Schmidt, who played college baseball at Clemson University. Clate faced a significant health challenge when he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2015 but has since recovered and pursued a professional baseball career.
Personal Life
Clarke Schmidt’s father, Dwight Schmidt, is a pilot and a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps. Dwight has piloted the Yankees team plane on several occasions during Clarke’s time with the team. Notably, on May 22, 2025, Dwight threw the ceremonial first pitch to Clarke before a home game against the Texas Rangers.