Starting pitcher Cam Schlittler had a promising first year with the New York Yankees. He even
made a start during the postseason, where he helped the Yankees eliminate the hated Boston
Red Sox in the Wild Card round. However, many people were wondering if he could duplicate
that performance for a full season. So far this season, the homegrown Yankee is off to a
fantastic start and is picking right where he left off in 2025. I believe Schlittler is proving that he
is for real.
Last season, Cam Schlittler put together a promising season. In 14 starts, he went 4-3 with a
2.96 ERA, 84 strikeouts to just 31 walks, and a WHIP of 1.219. Opponents only slashed
.217/.309/.337 with eight home runs, an OPS of .646, and striking out 27.6% of the time. He
also only allowed a hard-hit rate of just 40.4%. His emergence helped the Yankees win 94
games and clinch a Wild Card spot. The team would even add him to the postseason roster.
He would even make a start in the postseason in the decisive game three of the Wild Card
round. Schlittler dominated the Boston Red Sox for eight innings, striking out 12 batters, and
allowing no walks. New York would go on to win 4-0, eliminating Boston, and advancing to the
ALDS. It was safe to say that he earned his pinstripes that night.
So far this season, the righty is proving that his promising 2025 campaign was no mirage. In five
starts, he’s pitched five or more innings. He’s currently 2-1 with a 1.95 ERA, 36 strikeouts to just
four walks, and a WHIP of 0.759. His FIP of 0.88 also shows that he’s pitching even better than
his major statistics indicate. Perhaps the most impressive thing is that in three of those starts,
Cam Schlittler didn’t give up an earned run.
One thing that is making Schlittler even better than last year is that he’s not just relying on his
fastball. Instead, he’s employed something called a “tri-force”, a mixture of a four-seam
fastball, sinker, and cutter. While all three pitches have the same velocities, they all move
differently, making him more deceptive. He even spent all offseason refining his cutter. It’s hard
to argue the results. Opponents are only slashing .178/.202/.238 with no home runs, an OPS of
just .440, and striking out 34.3% of the time. He’s once again doing a great job of limiting hard
contact, allowing a rate of just 40.9%.
When Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodon return, the New York Yankees starting rotation is going to
look different. Tough decisions will have to be made; pitchers who are starters now may move
to the bullpen or be sent down. However, the former Northeastern product is here to stay in
the Yankees’ starting rotation. The numbers he’s put up so far this season would make him an
ace on a lot of other teams. The exciting part is that Schlittler is still developing and will only get
better.
Cam Schlittler was never a hyped prospect during his time in the Yankees farm system. His
sudden emergence is a victory for New York’s player development staff. While he showed
promise late last season and had a memorable postseason start, this year, he’s putting it all
together. His new pitch mix has made him even better than last season. While Gerrit Cole and
Carlos Rodon will be returning and roles will change, Schlittler is a starting rotation lock for
years to come.
