Can Yankees Count on Cam Schlittler to Continue Rising?

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler burst onto the scene in July 2025, throwing 100 mph heat and dominating hitters like he'd been doing it for years.

His 2.96 ERA and strong playoff performance turned him into an overnight sensation. Now the real test begins: can he do it again when everyone's eyes will be on him?

The Yankees announced recently that Schlittler will be one of their top starters behind Max Fried when the season opens in March. With Gerrit Cole recovering from Tommy John surgery and Carlos Rodón's recovery from elbow surgery keeping him out until late April, the 24-year-old right-hander suddenly has a massive role on his shoulders.

Schlittler‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌ made his first appearance for the Yankees when their depleted rotation was in desperate need of help. Clarke Schmidt's injury in July that ended his season was the reason for that, and the youngster from Walpole, Massachusetts, went straight through the door. He didn't even need an adjustment period; he simply began pitching at a high ‍‌‍‍‌‍‌‍‍‌level.

He posted a 2.96 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 73 innings. His fastball topped out at 100 mph, the hardest pitch thrown by any Yankees pitcher all season. The velocity was one thing, but the way he attacked hitters showed a confidence you usually don't see from rookies.

That confidence reached its peak in the Wild Card series. Facing his hometown Red Sox with the season on the line, Schlittler delivered eight scoreless innings with 12 strikeouts and zero walks. The performance made history as no pitcher had ever recorded that stat line in a postseason game.

The moment meant even more considering where Schlittler came from. A Boston-area kid who converted his family to Yankees fans, then eliminated the Red Sox on the biggest stage? That kind of pressure either breaks you or proves you're built different. Schlittler showed he belongs in the latter category, which is why the Yankees feel comfortable handing him this much responsibility going forward.

Regression Concerns Could Derail Schlittler's Sophomore Season

Oct 8, 2025; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) before pitching against the Toronto Blue Jays during game four of the ALDS round for the 2025 MLB playoffs at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images | Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

But confidence and talent don't tell the whole story. Look deeper at Schlittler's numbers and some concerning patterns emerge. His 3.74 FIP was significantly higher than his 2.96 ERA, suggesting he benefited from some good fortune. His 3.8 walks per nine innings showed command issues that major league hitters will exploit once they've seen him a few times.

The sample size matters too. Schlittler only threw 73 innings last year. Now the Yankees need 150-180 innings from him alongside Will Warren and Luis Gil as their number-two guy. That's not just more innings, it's facing better lineups in bigger spots without any margin for error.

He knows hitters will be ready for him this time around. That's why he spent the offseason developing a changeup to complement his fastball and breaking stuff. It's a smart move, giving him a weapon against lefties who didn't have much to worry about before. But learning to trust a new pitch under championship-or-bust expectations is asking a lot from a 24-year-old.

The injury concern hangs over everything else. Power pitchers who live in triple digits put massive stress on their arms with every throw. The Yankees have watched too many flamethrowers break down over the years to ignore the risk. Staying healthy through a full season as a workhorse starter is something Schlittler has never had to do.

Schlittler proved last year he has both the talent and the mentality to succeed at this level. That Wild Card performance wasn't luck - it was a kid with ice in his veins doing what he does best. But the statistical warning signs and the massive jump in responsibility make 2026 his real test. The Yankees are betting their season on him delivering again. By summer, we'll know if that confidence was justified.

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