As the New York Yankees prepare for their upcoming American League Division Series (ALDS) matchup against the Kansas City Royals, an unexpected debate has emerged among fans, centered around Clarke Schmidt and his potential role in the postseason pitching staff. With injuries, underperformance, and a bullpen looking for consistency, Clarke Schmidt’s position has become a point of contention for Yankees fans, who are weighing his value as either a key rotation piece or a multi-role “Swiss army knife” out of the bullpen.
The case for Clarke Schmidt: Rotation or bullpen?
Clarke Schmidt, who posted a respectable 2.85 ERA in 85 innings this season, is now at the heart of a larger conversation regarding the Yankees’ pitching strategy. The Yankees, who have Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón locked into the first two spots of their postseason rotation, are facing a critical decision about who will serve as their third starter. Nestor Cortes, previously a strong candidate, is injured, leaving the decision to either Clarke Schmidt—who’s recently returned from injury—or rookie Luis Gil, whose recent performances have raised concerns despite an overall solid season.
The Yankees’ pitching staff presents a conundrum. Cole, despite a rocky year by his standards, has been brilliant in the closing stretch, allowing just one earned run over his last 15.2 innings. Rodón, who has been inconsistent throughout the season, has shown flashes of his dominant form with a 2.68 ERA over his last seven starts. Still, neither ace has been entirely, a 100% reliable, raising the stakes for whoever takes the mound in Game 3.
Luis Gil’s season, with a 3.50 ERA and a record of 15-7, paints a picture of a promising young pitcher. But the rookie has struggled in the second half, posting a concerning 5.15 ERA over his last 15 games. Fans on Reddit have expressed doubt about Gil’s readiness for such a high-pressure scenario. One user, Yankeeknickfan, encapsulated the general sentiment: “I don’t see how anybody can believe in Gil with what he’s done since June.”
Clarke Schmidt, on the other hand, has experience both as a starter and out of the bullpen, making him an intriguing option for manager Aaron Boone. With his cutter, Clarke Schmidt has proven effective against left-handed hitters, which Yankees pitching coach Matt Blake has highlighted as a potential weapon in high-leverage situations. Blake referred to Schmidt as a potential “Swiss army knife,” capable of covering a variety of roles.
Fans, however, are divided. TheTurtleShepard, a popular voice in the conversation, voiced support for Schmidt’s flexibility: “I like the idea of Clarke as a Swiss Army knife. He has plenty of bullpen experience to come in if needed, and if not, then he’s obviously a great starter option.”
Yet, there’s skepticism as well. “I’d rather have Schmidt start Game 3 than Gil,” said Gsmith930, reflecting the views of those who trust Schmidt’s stability over Gil’s volatility. Some fans, like Fresh_Pop_790, also pointed to Clarke Schmidt’s superior ERA as a reason he should be considered for the starting role: “Usually I think the starter with the lowest ERA should be in the rotation lol.”
The value of a multi-role pitcher in October
The notion of Clarke Schmidt being deployed as a “Swiss army knife” holds weight in the postseason, where flexibility can be as valuable as dominance. With a somewhat unpredictable rotation and a bullpen that has been a mixed bag, Clarke Schmidt’s ability to cover multiple innings or step into high-leverage situations could be crucial.
Tommy Kahnle, Tim Hill, and Ian Hamilton have been reliable out of the bullpen, while Luke Weaver has cemented himself as the closer after Clay Holmes’ struggles. However, the Yankees’ bullpen has had its moments of shakiness, with injuries (Jake Cousins) and underperformance (Mark Leiter, Tim Mayza) creating a lack of trust in some of the relief options. This, in turn, has heightened Clarke Schmidt’s value as someone who could bridge innings or provide stability in crucial moments.
Some fans, like Trollington1372, envision Schmidt as a pivotal bullpen piece in case Gil falters early in Game 3: “He could be very valuable in Game 3 as an extended relief piggyback to Gil if needed.” The strategy of piggybacking pitchers has been successful in the past, particularly in postseason settings where quick hooks and matchup-based decisions dominate.
But the debate rages on. Others, like Intelligent_Row8259, argue that Schmidt has been statistically one of the Yankees’ best pitchers this season and should be considered for a larger role in the rotation. “Schmidt was No. 1 or 2 in every rate stat that matters—lowest hard-hit rate, best FIP, lowest WHIP, best K/BB,” they wrote, adding, “Pitch the pitchers who actually produced results this year, not the ones on stupid overpaying contracts.”
This line of thinking reflects growing frustration among a subset of Yankees fans who have seen high-profile pitchers like Rodón and Marcus Stroman underperform, while more unheralded players like Schmidt have quietly produced. Rodón, in particular, has been the subject of debate, with fans citing his 1.385 WHIP in August as a sign of inconsistency.
For others, Schmidt’s value lies precisely in his ability to contribute in varied situations. TheTurtleShepard advocated for keeping Schmidt available in case Cole or Rodón falter early: “I’d rather have Clarke be available if Cole/Rodon has a blow-up and needs to come out. Then, if he’s not needed for Games 1 or 2, you can decide on who you want as the third starter.”
This strategic versatility is what makes Schmidt such a fascinating asset in October. The postseason is an unpredictable beast, and players who can seamlessly transition between roles become invaluable chess pieces.
Ultimately, the Yankees’ decision on how to use Clarke Schmidt may come down to their level of trust in Luis Gil. Can they risk starting a rookie who has struggled in the second half, knowing Schmidt is an option? Or is Schmidt’s experience and ability to cover multiple scenarios too valuable to confine to a single role?
The fan base remains split, with passionate arguments on both sides. Schmidt’s numbers and adaptability make a compelling case for his inclusion in either the rotation or bullpen. However, postseason baseball often hinges on gut decisions, and Aaron Boone’s next move will determine whether the Yankees maximize Schmidt’s potential or take a gamble on the young Gil.
As VillageHomeF put it succinctly: “Schmidt will be a key part of the bullpen. I think we are going to need him if any of our starters look shaky.” Whether that role comes in Game 3 as a starter or out of the bullpen as a postseason “Swiss army knife” is yet to be seen.
