As the Bronx Bombers battle for position in the fiercely competitive AL East, a potential solution to their pitching woes may already be brewing in the shadows. Cam Schlittler, the 23-year-old righty out of Northeastern University, is dominating across two minor league levels and turning heads throughout the Yankees’ organization — and beyond.
Through 14 starts in 2025, Schlittler has put up a 2.18 ERA, with 97 strikeouts, a 1.14 WHIP, and the kind of command scouts dream about. But it’s his performance since arriving in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre that’s truly raised eyebrows:
1.69 ERA over 4 starts
High strikeout-to-walk ratio
Opponents batting well below .200
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According to a source within the Yankees’ player development system (via MLB Pipeline), “Schlittler’s fastball is electric, his slider’s biting harder, and his poise on the mound makes him look more like a 10-year vet than a second-year pro.”
The Yankees’ rotation has faced turbulence in 2025:
Carlos Rodón’s inconsistency
Nestor Cortes’ velocity dips
Gerrit Cole still ramping up after injury
Michael King struggling in high-leverage roles
With the trade deadline approaching and top-tier pitching at a premium, Schlittler represents a low-risk, high-reward internal solution.
“He’s earned his shot,” says YES Network analyst David Cone. “If this were any team other than the Yankees, he’d be on the mound already.”
What Makes Schlittler Special?
6’6″ frame with natural downhill angle
Mid-90s fastball that plays up with deception
Advanced pitch sequencing for his age
Mature mound presence, often compared to a young Nathan Eovaldi
More importantly, he’s improved significantly on one of his early-career weaknesses: walks. His walk rate is down nearly 30% compared to 2024, showing increased trust in his secondary pitches and confidence in attacking the zone early.
While the Yankees have often been criticized for being too cautious with pitching prospects (see: Deivi García, Clarke Schmidt), Cam Schlittler’s numbers—and timing—may be too good to ignore.
In a year where youth movements have carried multiple contenders (look no further than the Orioles and Cubs), the Yankees have a golden opportunity to shake up their rotation from within.
If they don’t act soon, they may be the ones regretting letting this ace simmer in Triple-A too long.