Clarke Schmidt DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (back) said that he is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Friday and expects to be pitching in games soon. Despite dealing with a cranky back in spring training, Schmidt has no concerns about being ready for Opening Day in late March. Schmidt also missed three months of the 2024 season due to a strained right lat, so his durability is certainly in question despite pitching well when he was available to the Yankees last year. The 29-year-old has breakout potential if he can stay healthy for all of 2025 after going 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.18 WHIP with 93 strikeouts and 30 walks in 85 1/3 innings over his 16 starts a year ago. His 26.3% strikeout rate was the highest of his career, and he also induced plenty of weak contact thanks to the addition of a cut fastball. Schmidt is a fine late-round value pick in upcoming fantasy drafts as long as he's ready for Opening Day.

New York Yankees right-hander Clarke Schmidt (back) is dealing with a "cranky back" in spring training, according to manager Aaron Boone, who also said he doesn't think Schmidt's back injury is a significant issue. Schmidt was able to throw an "aggressive" flat-ground session in camp on Wednesday. It's still very early in spring training, but the 28-year-old could be held back from pitching in Grapefruit League games initially. As long as Schmidt is able to get throw a bullpen session on Friday, he could put his cranky back behind him sooner than later. He had an impressive 2024 campaign for the Yankees but also missed three months with a strained right lat. The former first-rounder did well to limit hard contact in his 16 starts (85 1/3 innings) in 2024, going 5-5 with a 2.85 ERA and 1.18 WHIP while fanning 93. If he can stay healthy in 2025, Schmidt could easily outperform his No. 70 ranking as a starting pitcher at RotoBaller.

Right-hander Clarke Schmidt and the New York Yankees agreed to a one-year, $3.6 million deal on Thursday to avoid salary arbitration, according to a source. Schmidt only made 16 regular-season starts for the Yankees in 2024 due to a right-lat injury, but when he was on the mound, he was great, posting a career-best 2.85 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP with 93 punchouts in 85 1/3 innings thrown. For his efforts, he'll receive a $1.57 million raise going into 2025. The Yanks added left-hander Max Fried to their starting rotation this winter, but Schmidt should still be a part of the team's Opening Day rotation. The 28-year-old is by no means a household name, but if he can build on his progress from last year before he got hurt, he could be an excellent value pick in 2025 fantasy drafts. Schmidt does an above-average job at avoiding contact and inducing weak contact.