Schmitt earns starting job with Clips

by Ed Gonser
Published on July 1, 2003 under International League (IL1)

Syracuse--Ever wonder why the pitchers at the major league level are so good? One reason is that there's a kid pushing them for their job down on the farm.

If you want to keep your job you better be the best you can be, and with an already talented pitching staff, the New York Yankees might just have another diamond in the rough.

The 8,737 fans at P&C Stadium Tuesday had an up close look at a talented youngster from Fairfax Virginia as Eric Schmitt (1-0) earned his first triple-A win combining with Randy Choate and Tim Adkins in a three-hit shutout for the Columbus Clippers in a 4-0 win over the Syracuse SkyChiefs.

Schmitt, once a starter, had been working out of the bullpen while in double-A Trenton this season. "I hadn't started since the year before but it was fun to get out there because I've been a starter my whole life." Schmitt gleamed.

His two starts in his three appearances since joining the Clippers has caught the eye of Columbus manager Bucky Dent.

"Right now he's in the rotation. He's going to stay a starter," Dent said. "We liked him in spring training but didn't have any room when we left. We're going to give him a chance to pitch at the triple-A level and see what we have."

Schmitt had tossed 22 consecutive innings without allowing an earned run until his last start in Buffalo against the Bisons.

Schmitt made a spot start for the second time in the Columbus rotation, due to Brandon Claussen's recall to the New York Yankees. He worked six innings, allowed two hits, struck out four and walked one.

"It was a good night tonight and I had all my pitches working and had some great plays behind me too that helped out," the 6-foot, 4-inch, soon to be 25-year old righthander said. "I don't know where I'm going to end up. Where ever they (New York Yankees) put me I have to do my best to do the job."

Schmitt seemed to a little intimidated being in the spotlight having looked around the Columbus clubhouse and the entire Yankees' organization. "They (Columbus) have had a great pitching staff and still do throughout the organizations pitching staff," Schmitt said. "It was an honor and a good opportunity to come up and help out. I don't know where I'm going to end up, starter or reliever, but I'm happy either way."

Schmitt not only is cheering because Claussen was called up and he has his chance to showcase his talents but Schmitt is pulling for Claussen to stick with New York just because he's a great guy.

"I was in Florida when Claussen was rehabbing from "Tommy John" surgery," Schmitt related. "He's a great guy. I had a chance to talk with him and work with him a little. He's one of those guys everyone is really cheering for. He's a hard worker and I have some big shoes to fill coming in (to Columbus). It's exciting being out there with the guys I have behind me. There are some names that last year I heard all about and now it's fun to play with them."

And that supporting staff carved out four runs for the new kid on the block.

Curtis Pride hit a two-run ground-rule double to right-center field in the third. Craig Wilson doubled home a run in the fifth and Fernando Seguignol hit a solo homer to right-center in the sixth.

Choate worked two innings of relief allowed one hit and struck out two. Adkins retired Syracuse 1-2-3 in the ninth.

Syracuse only sent four batters to the plate in the first and fourth innings.

Syracuse starter Vinny Chulk (3-5) took the loss. Chulk worked six innings and gave up the four runs on five hits while striking out six and walking two.

International League Stories from July 1, 2003

• Schmitt earns starting job with Clips - OSC Original by Ed Gonser
• Tuesday+Lefty=Wings Loss - Rochester Red Wings
• Canada Day Victory: Lynx Top Bisons 6-4, Sweep Two Game Series - Ottawa Lynx
• Braves Make Moves - Gwinnett Stripers

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