Yankees' Rising Star Cam Schlittler Earns Top-10 Starter Praise

ESPN's Buster Olney calls the 25-year-old right-hander a top-10 MLB starter after his scorching start to 2026.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 6:37pm

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An abstract expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, depicting the powerful motion and energy of a baseball pitcher in mid-delivery, with his face and uniform details blurred into unrecognizable brushstrokes.A young Yankees star's meteoric rise is captured in a burst of neon energy and raw athletic power.NYC Today

New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler, a 25-year-old right-hander, has been dominant to start the 2026 season, tossing 11 2/3 scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts and just 3 hits allowed. ESPN's Buster Olney has taken notice, calling Schlittler a potential top-10 starter in baseball.

Why it matters

Schlittler's rapid rise through the Yankees' system has been one of the best development stories in recent franchise history. The hard-throwing righty has drawn comparisons to teammate Gerrit Cole and is a key part of New York's strong pitching staff to open the year.

The details

Schlittler, a 7th-round pick out of Northeastern in 2022, has seen his fastball velocity spike since joining the Yankees organization. After a strong 2025 season, he dazzled in the playoffs, tossing 14.1 innings with a 1.26 ERA. He's carried that momentum into 2026, not allowing a run in his first two starts.

  • Schlittler has not allowed a run in his first 11 2/3 innings of the 2026 season.
  • In 2025, Schlittler posted a 2.96 ERA with 84 strikeouts in 73 innings across 14 starts for the Yankees.

The players

Cam Schlittler

A 25-year-old right-handed pitcher for the New York Yankees who has emerged as one of the team's top young stars, drawing comparisons to teammate Gerrit Cole.

Buster Olney

A respected MLB insider and reporter for ESPN who has labeled Schlittler as a potential top-10 starting pitcher in baseball.

Gerrit Cole

The veteran ace of the Yankees' pitching staff, who Schlittler has been compared to due to his hard-throwing, power pitching style.

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What they’re saying

“Cam Schlittler might be a Top 10 starter right now; he's allowed three hits in 11 2/3 innings.”

— Buster Olney, ESPN Insider

What’s next

Schlittler will look to continue his dominant start when he takes the mound again for the Yankees later this week. With Gerrit Cole still working his way back from injury, Schlittler has a chance to cement his status as one of the game's elite young pitchers.

The takeaway

Schlittler's rapid rise through the Yankees' system and his scorching start to the 2026 season have made him one of the most talked-about young pitchers in baseball. If he can sustain this level of dominance, he could be a key piece of the Yankees' rotation for years to come.