Rank History
| Year | Team | Position | Team Rank | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | NYY | RHP | 3 | 50 |
Grades Update: Jan 2021
| OFP | Role | FB | CB | CH | Cnt/Cmd |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 50/40 |
Jan 2021 Report
Evaluator: James Chipman
Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Draft, Round 1
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster
Physical Description: Large physically developed frame: broad shoulders with mild slope; long levers; average strength throughout upper body and core; high waist with a strong, sturdy lower half. Frame is likely at projection. Lengthy injury history includes Tommy John surgery in May of 2017 and additional IL stints for minor elbow inflammation.
Mechanics: Semi-windup; tall and fall. High 3/4 arm slot with above-average arm speed and high effort in the delivery. Short compact arm action. Long stride with above-average extension. Solid deception from waist high leg kick and deep hand break. Frame and high arm slot generate steep downward plane. Choppy but fairly simple and well repeated mechanics on delivery.
Fastball: Sits 93-96. High slot generates a steep plane. Two-seam variant generates heavy sink and hard bore against same-sided batters. Four-seamer features solid arm-side run. Trusts the pitch; attacks all four quads; will attack with it in hitter's counts. Control over command; misses are predominantly glove side and up in the zone. Grade: 55
Curveball: Sits 83-86. Often misclassified as a slider because of its velocity, shape and high spin rate; utilizes a hybrid spike curve / knuckle curve grip. Shows advanced feel; manipulates arm action to occasionally mix in a softer variant with more traditional 11/5 break. Primarily shows firm two-plane break; more vertical tilt than sweeping action with exceptional bite. Commands the offering exceptionally well; will throw it inside on RHB to steal strikes and back foot it against LHB for chase. Legitimate put-away offering. Grade: 60
Changeup: Firm change of pace offering that sits 87-90. Has feel and thrown with conviction; lacks optimal velo separation and consistent execution. Occasionally slows arm speed telegraphing and guiding the pitch; should refine with further pro instruction. Lacks significant fade but features solid late vertical drop. Thrown almost exclusively to LHB; elicits weak contact and moderate swing and miss. Grade: 50
Control and Command: Control over command. Confident strike thrower; lives in or around the zone. Shows some pitchabilty; attacks all four quads; adjusts the eye level and sets up secondaries well; shows confidence pitching backwards. Shallow arsenal that's prone to heavy FB / CB sequencing and may have issues turning over a big league lineup multiple times. Average control and below-average command yields additional reliever risk. Control: 50 | Command: 40
Overall: A bit of an anticipated slow burn, Schmidt finally debuted late last season with mixed results. The development of his change-up and command will ultimately determine if he reaches draft day's mid-rotation ceiling, or settles in as a solid backend SP. A less optimal, but solid fallback plan would be a move to the bullpen where his electric FB/CB combo likely yield an impact high-leverage relief arm.
OFP: 50
Role: 50 - #4 or #5 Backend SP
Risk: Moderate
