Part 2 in the series about the Yankees’ top prospects.

Damon Oppenheimer knew Clarke Schmidt’s things when pitching for the University of South Carolina well enough to take the right hander with pick 16 in the 2017 draft.

There is something else Schmidt has that Oppenheimer understands will make him go through probation awaiting the pitcher: Tommy John’s surgery before he plays the professional game.

“The makeup component complements it. When you take a man [with that surgery] You better believe what you see, “said Oppenheimer, head of the Yankees amateur scouting department.” If a player does not have that component … you will go a long way. “

Schmidt, 24, was invited to a major league camp this year after throwing in three minor league levels last season – the Gulf Coast League (Rookie), Single-A Tampa and Double-A Trenton.

Since he played in 27 minor league games (25 starts) in 2018 and 2019, Schmidt has not been as excited as Deivi Garcia, a left-handed player who won Triple-A Scranton / Wilkes-Barre last season in 20 years. -sell and have appeared in 65 minor league matches (57 starts) since entering 2015 at the age of 16 from the Dominican Republic.

Some voices in the Yankees organization believe Schmidt could develop into a group that could help at the big league level at some point if a normal season was held. Of course, that won’t happen because of the coronavirus pandemic. With a small league match likely not to be held this year, what it means for Schmidt’s development remains to be seen.

However, more than one reconnaissance in spring training believes Schmidt elbowed Garcia among potential Yankees players.

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“A body that is bigger and more durable,” said a talent scout on Friday about the 6-foot-1, 200-pound Schmidt compared to Garcia 5-9, 163-pound. “Their goods are similar, above average.”

Another scout raved about Schmidt after spring training began against Rays in late February.

“That’s his [second] “It’s a big league match and this is spring training, but when you can throw a breaking ball in the count for attack, you have a chance to be very good,” said scouts from Schmidt, who worked two goalless innings, allowed two hits, attacked three and not walk around. “You can see him as a guard.”

Whether there is a season or not, James Paxton and Masahiro Tanaka will be eligible for free agents next winter which means there are two gaps in the Yankees’ rotation. Without a minor league season for Schmidt to reach Triple-A and without jumping into the big leagues, he would find himself in a situation similar to training last spring in 2021 but one year older.

“That’s hard to say. He doesn’t have much experience as a professional pitcher, ‘manager Aaron Boone said when asked at the end of February how much minor league work Schmidt needed before entering a position to jump into majors. “He is clearly progressing due to lack of experience. He has many intangible things and raw materials to move quickly. “

If a season goes down, the roster will likely expand from 26 to 30. With pitchers who have been dealing with shortened spring training, the team will carry more weapons to not burden their beginners.

Could it be that Schmidt was among the additional weapons? If not, he will likely be part of a throwing group / player who will exercise to be ready if needed in the big leagues.