Schlittler wins 2026 Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Yankees' Cam Schlittler wins 2026 Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Oct 28, 2026 10:41 AM ET

New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler has won the 2026 Players Choice Award for AL Outstanding Pitcher.

The recognition follows a dominant 2026 campaign in which he posted a 14-6 record with a 1.95 ERA and 239 strikeouts across 193 2/3 innings pitched.

His sparkling 1.95 ERA also made history as the lowest by a Yankees pitcher since Ron Guidry in 1978.

His 239 punchouts tied for the AL lead and also tied for fourth-most in a season in Yankees franchise history. Schlittler held opponents to a .185 batting average.

Every start is a movie. Congratulations, Cam Schlittler, the 2026 Players Choice Awards AL Outstanding Pitcher! @Yankees https://t.co/y18lkMTbNr
— MLBPA (@MLBPA) October 28, 2026

Other factors contributing to his 2026 Players Choice honor

Schlittler is deserving of the award after his Cy Young-caliber season in which he successfully anchored the Yankees' rotation.

He surrendered one run or less in 22 of his 31 starts, illustrating his efficiency on the mound. His clutch and durable performance was a luxury for the Yankees amid their taxed rotation, as Gerrit Cole, Max Fried and Carlos Rodon dealt with injuries.

Schlittler also led the league with a 7.0 bWAR and a 6.2 fWAR. The 25-year-old dazzled with a 0.90 WHIP and a 31 % strikeout rate.

Now he has some hardware for his efforts.

Yordan Alvarez won AL Outstanding player, Pete Crow-Armstrong NL Outstanding Player, Jacob Misiorowski for NL Outstanding Pitcher, Kevin McGonigle AL Outstanding Rookie and Sal Stewart NL Outstanding Rookie.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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