Schmidt played college baseball for the South Carolina Gamecocks, and was selected by the Yankees in the first round, 16th overall, of the 2017 MLB draft.

[1] He was not drafted out of high school and played college baseball at the University of South Carolina for the Gamecocks.

[15] In the beginning of spring training for the 2021 season, Schmidt was shut down due to a common extensor strain in his right elbow and no ligament damage was shown in an MRI.

[19] On July 24, Schmidt recorded his first career save after tossing three scoreless innings against the Baltimore Orioles.

[21][22] Clate was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in 2015,[23][24] but recovered, and became a professional player, last playing for the Single-A Dayton Dragons of the Cincinnati Reds organization in 2019.