Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt did not get a chance to see the eighth and ninth innings through after throwing a career-high 103 pitches in Saturday’s 9-0 win over the Baltimore Orioles, but his seven no-hit frames how good he can be.
“I kind of feel like Clarke’s one of the more underrated starting pitchers in the game,” said New York manager Aaron Boone. “It’s two years now of really, really good stuff and to be under three now after a little bit of getting his feet wet at the start.
“What stands out to me is not just solely leaning on cutter, cutter — because it’s such an important pitch, such a good pitch for him, but he can back himself into a little bit of a corner. … I like how he’s using his arsenal right now. Really, in the last few (starts).”
Schmidt (4-3, 2.84 ERA), who had five strikeouts to two walks and one hit batter, agreed with Boone.
“Every time I go out there, I’m trying to prove myself,” Schmidt said. “I’ve had a chip on my shoulder since I was a young kid. I always play with a chip on my shoulder. Every time I go out there, I have a chip on my shoulder.
“The lack of attention or attention to not being one of the top guys is a motivating factor for me and it’s something that I’m always thinking about. I find ways to motivate myself very easily, so being underrated is another way to put it.”
With three straight scoreless outings spanning 20.2 IP, Schmidt has kicked into another gear as he nears the halfway point of his third season in the Yankees’ starting rotation.
“I think he’s just getting better and better,” said catcher J.C. Escarra. “Every time he goes out there, he has a better game than he did the last. I’m excited to see what the season has for him.”