The anticipation was palpable in the Yankees’ clubhouse, where Cam Schlittler was gearing up for his Major League debut. Four hours before the first pitch, the lanky right-hander was a bundle of energy, pacing the floor like a kid waiting for Christmas morning. Dressed in his game cap, a gray long-sleeved T-shirt, and shorts, Schlittler couldn’t help but return to his locker, eyes glued to video scouting reports on his tablet before making yet another loop around the room. This wasn’t just your typical pre-game nervousness; it was a tangible excitement, a focus on what was at stake.
When the moment finally arrived, Schlittler stepped onto the mound and walked off to a well-deserved standing ovation after collecting his seventh strikeout. His performance capped off a strong showing in the Yankees’ 9-6 victory over the Mariners at Yankee Stadium, and it solidified his place in the conversation about the team’s pitching depth. Coming in as a late-season addition to the rotation— a necessity after Clarke Schmidt was ruled out for the season due to Tommy John surgery—Schlittler made a compelling case to earn a permanent spot in New York.
The Yankees set him up well, giving Schlittler a cushion with three runs in the first inning. He scattered four hits over his outing and left the game with a comfortable four-run lead. However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing; Jonathan Loáisiga came on in relief but faced immediate trouble, giving up a two-run homer to Randy Arozarena on his very first pitch. That long ball, along with two solo shots from J.P. Crawford and Jorge Polanco, would account for the three runs ultimately charged to Schlittler.
Drafted in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB Draft after a strong collegiate career at Northeastern University, Schlittler marked a significant milestone in his burgeoning career by striking out Major League home run leader Cal Raleigh with a blazing 99.6 mph fastball. It’s not every day a rookie makes such an impression, and Schlittler left an indelible mark by fan-swinging Raleigh for his final strikeout. He showcased that not only does he have the goods to compete at the highest level, but he’s also ready to take on whatever challenge comes next in his journey through Major League Baseball.
