NEW YORK — The Yankees have seen how quickly a homegrown pitcher can rise through their farm system and become a major league difference-maker. Cam Schlittler’s remarkable 2026 season demonstrated that potential, but finding another pitcher capable of following his path presents a significant challenge.
New York enters the offseason with renewed attention on developing reliable starters from within. Despite substantial investments in established pitchers, the Yankees need their younger arms to provide long-term stability.
A former first-round pick, Ben Hess, stands among those hoping to make that leap. His imposing frame, expanding pitch arsenal and spring training exposure to major league players have strengthened his profile.
However, Hess faces obstacles. His promising early minor league performances have been interrupted by setbacks, raising questions about his readiness for higher competition and ability to handle a full season.
Schlittler’s extraordinary 2026 campaign has established a demanding benchmark for emerging Yankees pitchers. His rapid development also highlights the importance of maintaining consistency, refining secondary pitches and staying healthy.
For Hess, reaching Aaron Boone’s rotation will require more than impressive velocity or prospect rankings. The Yankees must see sustained improvement against advanced hitters before another homegrown pitching breakthrough becomes a realistic possibility.
Ben Hess sees Schlittler as a model for his Yankees future
Ben Hess, the Yankees’ 2024 first-round selection from Alabama, discussed that possibility in a season-ending interview with Steven Cusumano. Asked about Schlittler’s fast rise from Double-A Somerset in 2025 to postseason starts with New York, Hess described the breakthrough as a source of motivation.
Hess said the example made a rapid advance appear attainable.
“I can do that, too,” Hess said.
The 24-year-old spent time around Schlittler during major league spring training in 2026. He said he learned by watching the routines of Schlittler, Gerrit Cole and other Yankees pitchers, paying particular attention to their preparation and daily habits.
He also described conversations with Schlittler as accessible and useful. The example matters because Schlittler reached the majors during 2025, then made 33 starts in 2026 and finished 14-6 with a 1.95 ERA, 239 strikeouts and a 0.92 WHIP across 193 2/3 innings.
Hess has not made his major league debut. His most recent assignment remained Double-A Somerset, and his second professional season ended early because of injury.
A deeper arsenal gives Hess more ways to attack hitters
The Yankees took Hess with the 26th overall pick in 2024. He was their first pitcher selected with a first-round pick since Clarke Schmidt in 2017. The 1.96-meter right-hander began with a fastball and curveball as his foundational offerings.
Hess said he developed a sweeper during 2025 and added a cutter in spring training in 2026. His mix also includes a changeup. He described the cutter as a pitch that now produces weak contact and can finish at-bats, while the sweeper gives him another weapon against right-handed hitters.
The strikeout numbers reveal both promise and a problem
Official minor league records show Hess went 7-4 with a 3.22 ERA and 139 strikeouts in 103 1/3 innings across High-A Hudson Valley and Somerset in 2025. He allowed 46 walks and posted a 1.07 WHIP.
His 2026 line moved in the other direction: 3-4 with a 4.45 ERA, 65 strikeouts, 30 walks and a 1.45 WHIP in 56 2/3 innings across 16 Double-A starts. The Yankees prospect struck out 10.3 batters per nine innings, down from 12.1 in 2025, while his walk rate increased from 4.0 to 4.8 per nine.
That is the critical statistical gap in the Schlittler comparison. Hess continues to miss bats, but his strikeout-to-walk ratio fell from approximately 3.0 in 2025 to 2.2 in 2026. Fewer free passes and consistent innings would make his expanded repertoire more valuable to the Yankees.
The physical setback complicates that assessment. Somerset placed Hess on the injured list April 18, activated him May 14 and returned him to the injured list Aug. 17. He moved to the 60-day list Aug. 20, ending his season. The club’s official transaction log shows he was activated from that list Nov. 2. No specific injury diagnosis was established in that record.
The Yankees therefore have both a recent roster-status change and unanswered performance questions to consider as Hess moves into the offseason.
Yankees still hold a prospect who wants to debut in pinstripes
Hess also addressed the uncertainty surrounding the trade deadline after watching other prospects leave the Yankees organization. He made clear that remaining with New York matters to him.
“this is where I want to make my debut,” Hess said.
Schlittler’s climb demonstrates the opportunity within the Yankees system. Hess’s injury-shortened 2026 illustrates why matching the timetable is difficult. As of Nov. 4, Hess is coming off activation from Somerset’s 60-day injured list, with his next competitive assignment and major league debut still to be determined.
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