WATCH: Yankees' 2017 top pick Clarke Schmidt makes pro debut

Yankees 2017 first-round pick Clarke Schmidt, a righty pitcher, make his pro debut on Friday, June 22, 2018, in Tampa.

TAMPA — Finally, the Yankees‘ 2017 top pick can show them what he’s got.

Righty Clarke Schmidt made his professional debut Friday.

Schmidt pitched for the Yankees’ Gulf Coast League East at the team’s player development and training complex.

The 22-year-old, who was the No. 16 overall pick last year, lasted an inning. He gave up two runs on three hits and a wild pitch. He struck out two.

The Yankees picked Schmidt out of the University of South Carolina. He had already had Tommy John surgery before New York picked him. Friday was the biggest step in his recovery yet.

The Yankees gave Schmidt, a Georgia native, a $2,184,300 signing bonus.

MLB.com ranks Schmidt the team’s No. 11 overall prospect.

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Here’s a portion of the website’s scouting report on Schmidt:

Before he got hurt, Schmidt tied up hitters with a 92-94 mph fastball that reached 96 and featured heavy sink. Both his curveball and slider were plus pitches at times but lacked consistency, and New York may have him focus on one breaking ball when he returns to the mound. He also had a decent changeup with some tumble.

Schmidt had no issues throwing strikes in college, though he tended to get hit when he didn’t keep his pitches down in the zone. Even before his elbow injury, there were questions about his durability because he’s not big and doesn’t have the smoothest mechanics. The Yankees view him as a starter but will ease him back slowly when he makes his pro debut in 2018.

Brendan Kuty may be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @BrendanKutyNJ. Find NJ.com Yankees on Facebook.

PROSPECT SPOTLIGHT

Tyler Nunez, a C from Lake Nona HS, is a 6'2 190lb athletic catcher who provides strength with the bat and glove. During BP, Tyler stuck with a middle of the field approach while staying on a line. He impacted the ball well with his compact and direct path, T90EV. He showed off his real athleticism behind the plate by posting a 2.04 pop time while staying around the bag on every throw. He is a good looking athletic uncommitted catcher to keep an eye on.