Cam Schlittler really does have an opportunity to become an all-time great for the New York Yankees.
It's kind of strange that the New York Yankees have not truly produced a whole lot of dominant pitchers throughout their franchise history.
At least relative to what you would expect from a team that has won 27 World Series championships.
Names like Ron Guidry, Whitey Ford and Lefty Gomez are obvious. Andy Pettitte is up there, too. If you want to include pitchers the Yankees acquired later on, then Red Ruffing, Roger Clemens and Gerrit Cole are a few others.
But as far as genuinely elite homegrown talent? There really isn't a ton.
Until Cam Schittler arrived.
Schlittler was promoted from the minor leagues in unassuming fashion last summer when a bunch of injuries befell the Yankees' starting rotation. His first few outings were impressive. Then he really kicked it into gear.
The 25-year-old ended up posting a 2.96 ERA over 14 regular-season starts in 2025, which definitely opened some eyes. He then shut out the Boston Red Sox over eight innings in a Wild Card Series clincher, which sent New York into a frenzy.
Now, here he is, ready to take on the Red Sox in yet another Wild Card Series, but this time as a Game 1 starter.
What Schlittler is doing is truly special.
He registered a 1.95 ERA this season, racking up 239 strikeouts over 193.2 innings of work. He recorded a minuscule 0.919 WHIP, and he improved his control significantly from last year, finishing with a 2.3 BB/9.
Schlittler still has a long way to go before he can even think about entering the pantheon of all-time Yankees greats, but he sure does have the talent — and the moxie — to get there.
Schlittler is a rare breed. The former seventh-round pick was not really a highly-touted prospect coming up through New York's organization, but you could see the quiet confidence immediately. And that quiet confidence quickly turned into a brashness that is lovable in the Bronx and loathsome everywhere else.
But that's exactly how Schlittler would have it.
The right-hander is clearly built for big games. He embraces it. He uses every slight to his advantage, much like Michael Jordan. He obviously loves the bright lights of Yankee Stadium, and he thrives under pressure.
Of course, Schlittler has a monumental task ahead of him on Tuesday night. He is being asked to shut down Boston once again, and even though he owns a 0.56 ERA in five career starts against the Red Sox, Game 1 will not be a seamless job for Schlittler.
Surely, he understands that. But let's say Schlittler hurls yet another gem and goes on to enjoy a tremendous postseason, leading the Yankees to a World Series.
At that point, would we all start admitting that Schlittler might just be the one as far as Yankee pitchers?
Schlittler has a long road ahead of him, and it starts Tuesday evening. We'll see if he can continue building his young legacy in pinstripes.
