The New York Yankees are heading into spring training with some big question marks around their starting rotation. At the center of this buzz is Cam Schlittler, who’s been turning heads following some high praise on Thursday.
Schlittler, a promising 25-year-old right-hander, made a splash in his MLB debut last year, finishing with a 4-3 record and a 2.96 ERA over 73 innings. His postseason performance was nothing short of electric, highlighted by eight scoreless innings in a high-stakes, winner-take-all game. Talk about delivering under pressure.
With key pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon, and Clarke Schmidt expected to start the season on the injured list, the Yankees are banking on Schlittler’s health and growth. He recently overcame some mid-back inflammation and is back in action with bullpen sessions in Tampa, which is a promising sign for Yankees fans.
The buzz around Schlittler reached a new level when MLB Network spotlighted him on their official X (formerly Twitter) account. Analysts Dan Plesac and Adnan Virk weighed in on just how crucial Schlittler could be for the Yankees' 2026 season.
“How important is Cam Schlittler to the Yankees starting rotation in 2026? #MLBTonight”
Plesac shared some good news about Schlittler’s progress in spring training.
“Cam Schlittler came away from his bullpen session the other day feeling good. No issues with mid-back. Then he’ll throw one more pen then likely start facing hitters.”
Virk chimed in with an assessment that should resonate with Yankees fans.
“I think he’s the key to the Yankees’ fortunes in ’26. He gave us a glimpse of what he could be, right?
The Yankees have been high on this guy all along. It seemed like the bigger the game, the more important it was, the better he pitched.”
These insights echo the Yankees' confidence in Schlittler, a Massachusetts native, who seems ready to take on a larger role this season.
With national analysts backing Schlittler’s potential, his role in the Yankees' starting rotation becomes even more pivotal. If he can stay healthy and build on his impressive rookie year, he could provide the stability New York desperately needs on the mound.
For the Yankees, Schlittler’s development might just be the key to shaping their 2026 season.