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What to Expect from Yankees Pitcher Cam Schlittler

Originally posted on New Baseball Media
By Chris Studley | Last updated Jul 6, 2025 10:20 AM ET

Three years ago, the Yankees netted themselves a potential steal in Cam Schlittler. Now, the Yankees will reportedly see if Schlittler can help make a difference for their pitching staff this season, thanks to a myriad of injuries.

A Look at Schlittler

The Yankees took Cam Schlittler in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft, the same one that yielded Spencer Jones (1) and Drew Thorpe (2), after a strong collegiate career with Northeastern. Schlittler pitched well in the shortened 2020 season, then struck out 85 batters in both the 2021 and 2022 seasons to get on the Yankees’ radar.

Schlittler only thre 46 innings in 2023. However, the 2024 season was a turning point for the right-hander. He struck out 154 batters over 120.2 IP, mostly in High-A, and won the 2024 South Atlantic League Pitcher of the Year Award. He finished 2024 in Scranton/Wilkes-Barre (AAA).

After spending some time in Spring Training as a non-roster invitee. Schlittler started this year in Double-A but went back to Scranton in June. Between Somerset (AA) and Scranton, Schlittler struck out 99 over 76.2 IP. More specifically, with Scranton, he struck out 35 over 23.2 IP with the Railriders.

Last season, Schlittler primarily sat in the low-to-mid-90s (for reference, he was sitting 91-95 MPH in the game footage down below with his fastball). Now, it played up when he threw it up, and his ability to hide the release point.

However, Schlittler raised his value even further in 2025 thanks to a velo bump.

This season, Schlittler topped out at 99 MPH in Triple-A (the average was 96.9 MPH). He doesn’t get a ton of extension (6.3”), nor does it have high IVB (15.8”) but it is a nasty pitch with above-average cut, not to mention the aforementioned deception. Add that together, and there’s the makings of a plus fastball.

With Scranton (AAA), Schlittler posted a 39% Whiff% on that fastball.

Aside from the booming four-seamer, Schlittler will work in a good curveball with depth, coupled with a hard slider that he’ll run to the low-90s and a sweeper.

That curveball, by the way, averaged roughly 13” of induced negative vertical break, over three inches better than the MLB league average for right-handers.

Cam Schlittler 2025 Pitch Movement AAA Via New Baseball Media

Schilttler does have somewhat of an involved delivery, something to note given the walk rates. His BB/9 this season (3.1) is down compared to his past averages. He averaged more than four walks per nine innings in both 2023 and 2024.

Something else to note: he’s 6’6”, meaning there’s a lot of him to keep together in his delivery.

The New York Post reported that Schlittler will likely be promoted by the Yankees next week.

Analysis

The 24-year-old has grown over the years, going from Day 2 pitcher to big-time arm. However, his pending promotion comes at a critical juncture for the Yankees.

Clarke Schmidt is done for the 2025 season, as he’ll likely get Tommy John surgery. Schmidt is the second pitcher to go down this season to that procedure, as Gerrit Cole went down during the spring. Not to mention, Ryan Yarbrough is also on the IL.

Schlittler only has six Triple-A starts to his name but nonetheless, is arguably the Yankees’ best high-upside option for now. He mowed down Triple-A hitters with efficiency and has power stuff that should play in the Majors.

And given the state of the Yankees’ rotation, Schlittler can pitch to stay in The Bronx for much longer than one or two starts.

This article first appeared on New Baseball Media and was syndicated with permission.

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