On a day that began with the Yankees (51-41) designating veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu for assignment, reinforcing the need to acquire a third baseman, general manager Brian Cashman still cited pitching as his biggest concern moving forward, largely due to a rotation missing three starters from last year’s World Series staff.
That was going to remain the biggest need regardless of how Schlittler fared.
Cam Schlittler, who allowed three runs in 5¹/₃ innings, won his major league debut in the Yankees’ 9-6 win over the Mariners on July 9, 2025.Jaso Szenes / New York Post
For now, Schlittler’s impressive outing against the Mariners (48-44) has earned him another start after the All-Star break, the latest step in his meteoric rise through the Yankees farm system and prospect rankings over the past year.
“I know this kid is not only next up — we’ve had some attrition, [he] got an opportunity — but I know the upside that exists with him,” manager Aaron Boone said. “I see a lot of potential. The guy I was around in spring training a little bit was a very competitive, focused person. He went out and did that tonight.”
The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits (two solo homers) and two walks, capping off his outing by punching out MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh a second time — once on a 100 mph fastball and then on a 98 mph heater, his 75th and final pitch of the night.
Cam Schlittler’s family cheers during his MLB debut with the Yankees.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Coming into the night, the Yankees’ hardest-thrown pitch of the season belonged to reliever Yerry De Los Santos at 98.5 mph, according to Baseball Savant.
By the end of his outing, Schlittler had thrown seven pitches above that mark, six of them coming in the first inning as he topped out at 100 mph.
That it comes from his 6-foot-6 frame makes it even harder for hitters to pick up.
Jazz Chisholm flip his bat after hitting a homer in the fifth inning, his second of the game, in the Yankees’ win over the Mariners.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
“Seeing the way the ball was moving, seeing how it came out of his hand, watching how the hitters were even reacting to some of the pitches, it was sick,” said Jazz Chisholm Jr., who helped the cause with a pair of home runs and might just be playing his way into next week’s Home Run Derby in Atlanta.
Just as important, though, were the secondary offerings Schlitter flashed.
Since the spring, he added a cutter and dropped his splitter and gyro slider, a mix that helped him jump from Double-A to Triple-A last month and then have success Wednesday.
Aaron Judge rips a two-run double during the sixth inning of the Yankees’ victory over the Mariners.Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post
Boone also wanted to see how Schlittler handled the emotions of it all. It helped that he was able to be here for Tuesday’s game to get a feel for the environment.
Then, after he got a 3-0 lead to work with after the first inning Wednesday, he harnessed that adrenaline and used it to his advantage, not flinching when he issued a leadoff walk or home runs to J.P. Crawford and Jorge Polanco in the third and fourth innings.
“Probably had more jitters this morning waking up,” Schlittler said. “Once I got to the field and around everyone, I felt better about it.”
His teammates took notice, too.
“He was nasty today,” said Jasson Domínguez, who recorded a three-hit game out of the leadoff spot. “I was impressed because I remember he went up to Triple-A one time [last year] and he looked kind of nervous. But today he looked very calm, just focused on the game.”
