NEW YORK — Cam Schlittler’s arrival in pinstripes has already become one of 2025’s breakout stories. Since his MLB debut on July 9, he’s been turning heads with his overpowering stuff.
The 24-year-old righty from Massachusetts has led the Yankees in pure velocity. Through mid-September, Schlittler owns a 3.27 ERA, 3–3 record, and 75 strikeouts over 66 innings. His WHIP sits at 1.30. Among his highlights: the fastest pitch by a Yankee in 2025, and multiple outings where his fastball consistently challenged triple digits.
While Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes continues to dominate NL headlines, Schlittler is quietly building an impressive rookie resume of his own.
Rookie makes his mark in pinstripes
Before his first big-league appearance, Cam Schlittler was restless. He paced the Yankees’ clubhouse for hours. But once on the mound, he settled in fast.
He racked up seven strikeouts in his debut and exited to a standing ovation after helping the Yankees to a 9-6 win over Seattle. That performance placed him among only a few Yankees who have struck out at least seven in their first Major League game.
In a more recent start versus Baltimore, he scattered three hits and one walk across 5⅓ innings of one-run ball and fanned six batters.
Boone keeps postseason plans close to vest
Though the Yankees have locked in a postseason berth, Aaron Boone is remaining tight-lipped about the depth of his rotation plans. The key decision: who draws a potential Game 3 start in a Wild Card setting — Schlittler or Luis Gil.
Boone offered measured praise but no commitment. “I think Schlittler is really good and he’s not afraid,” Boone said. “Luis is still kind of searching for it, but he’s finding a way.”
At present, Schlittler appears to have the edge. But Boone hinted the decision might be fluid, depending on matchups and bullpen usage.
How Schlittler stacks up against Skenes
Here’s how the two power arms compare:
| Category | Cam Schlittler (NYY) | Paul Skenes (PIT) |
| Age | 24 | 23 |
| Height / Weight | 6’6″, 225 lb | 6’6″, 260 lb |
| MLB Experience | Rookie (debut July 2025) | 2nd season |
| 2025 Record | 3–3 | 10–10 |
| 2025 ERA | 3.27 | 1.97 |
| Strikeouts | 75 (66 IP) | 216 (187.2 IP) |
| WHIP | 1.30 | 0,948 |
| Pitches over 98 MPH | 355 | 350 |
| Max Fastball | 100.3 mph | 100 mph |
| Avg Fastball/usage | 98 mph/ 50% | 98 mph/ 40% |
Both pitchers bring triple-digit heat. Skenes has posted dominant numbers through the season, while Schlittler has held his own as a rookie in a high-pressure market.
Schlittler edges Skenes in velocity battle
Schlittler has thrown roughly 355 pitches over 98 mph this season, slightly edging Skenes’ 350. That edge underlines his ability to sustain high-velocity innings. (These totals mirror earlier comparisons between the two arms.)
Other power pitchers, like Hunter Greene, hover behind them — running about 332 pitches over 98 mph. The three-way race sets up an exciting storyline among young flamethrowers.
Command issues remain a concern
For all Schlittler’s electric stuff, he still faces growing pains. He walks 4.30 batters per nine innings — a rate that could be risky in October.
Boone acknowledged this. “Man, I liked 100 miles an hour, I liked ahead in the count a lot,” he said. “I thought his stuff was again really good. Couple times he got to 3-2, seems like he won those counts where they fouled off some pitches against him.”
Still, the rookie has shown signs of control gaining ground. Over his last 10 starts since early August, he’s worked to tighten his command and lower his walk rate.
Path to October glory
New York already has Max Fried and Carlos Rodón penciled in as their Game 1 and Game 2 starters. The third spot, though, is up for grabs between Schlittler and Luis Gil.
Gil brings postseason experience, but Schlittler counters with better baserunner control — his WHIP is about 0.1 lower than Gil’s.
Schlittler is scheduled for one more regular-season start Saturday against Baltimore, putting him in line to take the mound on regular rest in a potential Wild Card Game 3.
Revitalizing the Yankees rotation
Numbers aside, Schlittler’s impact has already reverberated through the Yankees rotation. His energy, velocity, and consistency have given fans new confidence in the bullpen depth and starting depth beyond just the top two arms.
His ability to touch and sustain high-velocity offerings — often topping 98 mph — gives him a ceiling few rookies reach. Many in the game now view him as a long-term staple in New York’s rotation.
Rising above expectations
Boone has repeatedly referred to Schlittler as a “pleasant surprise” across his first eight starts and 42⅓ innings — though his totals have since increased. The rookie was ranked the Yankees’ No. 10 prospect before his call-up, but now he’s exceeding those designations.
“That’s been my goal my whole life,” Schlittler said. “It’s really good to go out there, put the team in a position to win and just live out that dream.”
Whether he earns the nod in October or not, one thing is clear: he has already shown he can handle pressure in New York. The biggest test now is whether that success can carry into October and beyond.
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