NEW YORK — The numbers don’t lie about Cam Schlittler’s electric right arm. The Yankees rookie has already carved his name into franchise history books with a blazing fastball that sits at 97.9 mph on average.
That velocity marks the highest average for any Yankees starting pitcher since MLB began tracking pitch speeds. He’s topped household names like Gerrit Cole and Nathan Eovaldi in the process.
But here’s the catch. Manager Aaron Boone keeps pulling Schlittler before he can truly showcase that historic heat when games matter most.
The 24-year-old from Massachusetts has thrown harder than any Yankees starter in the organization’s modern era. He has pitched 55 fastest fastballs, all clocked above 98.5 mph. His average is above 97.9 mph.
Schlittler’s velocity puts him among MLB elite
Schlittler used his 100 mph fastball to shut down Cal Raleigh and the Seattle Mariners during an eye-opening debut on July 10. His 100-mile-per-hour heater represents the fastest pitch thrown by any Yankees hurler this season.
On Wednesday, he again returned with his heat and nearly touched 100 mph on radar guns.
The rookie ranks fifth nationally among starting pitchers who have thrown at least 30 four-seam fastballs. His company includes some of baseball’s hardest throwers like Chase Burns, Paul Skeens and Hunter Green.
According to MLB analyst Ryan Garcia, “Cam Schlittler is one of the HARDEST throwing starters in Major League Baseball. He also currently has the HIGHEST FASTBALL VELOCITY among NYY starters in the pitch-tracking era (97.9 MPH). The talent is undeniable here.”
The statistics back up Garcia’s assessment. Schlittler owns the 82 fastest pitches thrown by any Yankees starter in 2025. His fastball has gained roughly five mph since the Yankees drafted him from Northeastern University in 2022.
Early hook strategy limits October potential
Schlittler’s path to postseason relevance hits a roadblock in the fifth inning. Boone consistently removes the rookie before he can work deep into games, raising questions about October readiness.
The pattern emerged during a recent start against Minnesota. Schlittler held the Twins to one run through five innings on 86 pitches. The game was tied 1-1 when Boone made the call to the bullpen.
“I’m a rookie and you have to earn that,” Schlittler said when asked about potentially working the sixth inning. The decision backfired spectacularly as reliever Yerry De los Santos immediately allowed three consecutive hits without recording an out.
Bob Klapisch of nj.com observed that “Schlittler is making a strong case for being included in the postseason rotation. That is, if Boone has the stomach for depending on two rookies, Schlittler and Will Warren, in the Nos. 3 and 4 spots.”
Fastball dominance masks command concerns
The four-seam fastball generates devastating results despite location issues. Opposing hitters manage just a .227 batting average against the pitch while posting a 29 percent whiff rate.
He threw New York’s seven fastest pitches this season and his average fastball velocity of 97.9 mph was the highest for a Yankees pitcher this year. The pitch reaches nearly 2,500 RPMs and creates natural swing-and-miss opportunities.
Schlittler used the fastball 64 percent of the time against Minnesota, up from his season average of 58 percent. The increased reliance suggests growing confidence in his signature weapon.
During his debut against Seattle, he threw 75 pitches across his 5.1 innings of work. Forty of those were four-seamers with an average velocity of 98 mph topping out at 100.
Manager praises rookie’s mental approach
Boone has taken notice of more than just Schlittler’s velocity readings. The skipper singled out the pitcher’s confidence as his most impressive trait.
Following New York’s 5-4 win over the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre, manager Aaron Boone singled out the one thing about the young pitcher that truly stands out in his second start.
That mental toughness showed during his debut when the 24-year-old right-hander walked his first batter but settled down quickly and froze Raleigh, the major league home run leader, with a 100 mph heater for his first strikeout in the opening inning.
“You see his stuff really plays,” Boone said. “I see a lot of potential.”
Yankees refuse trade deadline offers
General manager Brian Cashman fielded multiple calls about Schlittler before the July 31 deadline. Teams desperately wanted the flame-throwing prospect, but the Yankees held firm.
The organization made its commitment clear by releasing veteran Marcus Stroman instead of demoting Schlittler. New York ate roughly $6 million in remaining salary to keep the rookie in the rotation.
“He’s in a great spot,” Boone said. “He earned this opportunity, not just because there’s a bunch of guys down, but because he’s absolutely the guy that’s put up the numbers and done the work in the first few months.”
Historical context adds significance
Only 10 pitchers in Yankees history have recorded at least seven strikeouts in their big league debut. Schlittler joined that exclusive group during his July 9 appearance against Seattle.
The list includes notable names like Jordan Montgomery, Masahiro Tanaka and Orlando Hernandez. Each pitcher went on to make significant contributions to Yankees success.
Schlittler’s 100-mph fastball made him the fastest thrown by a Yankee pitcher all season during that debut performance.
Sixth inning trust remains key question
The Yankees’ playoff hopes may depend on Boone’s willingness to extend Schlittler’s outings. The rookie has completed five innings in five of his six starts but reached the sixth only once.
Schlittler had allowed only one run on two hits and six strikeouts. Tie score, 1-1, going into the sixth against Minnesota before Boone’s controversial decision.
As one report noted, “If the Yankees are going to believe in Schlittler in October, they could start by trusting him in the sixth inning.”
The organization clearly views Schlittler as more than a temporary solution. His franchise-record velocity gives the Yankees a weapon unlike any in their recent history.
Whether Boone allows that weapon to reach its full potential remains the pivotal question as October approaches.
What do you think? Leave your comment below.
This has got to be one of the stupidest posts I’ve read anywhere about the Yankees on a Yankees fan site. Really? You don’t know why Schlittler is not getting the 6th inning? Seriously, hire me so you have some real articles? Let me start with some of the why:
1) They don’t like guys going three times against a lineup;
2) They have shorten the leash on all starting pitchers;
3) They are locked into their pitch count, and not watching the game in front of them;
4) The whole Yankees Pitching Plan from the beginning of Spring Training is limiting game time for the Starters;
Now, don’t claim to be a Yankees fan if you don’t know these basics!