This New York Yankees youngster may have just sabotaged his chances of having a big role in the playoffs.

Cam Schlittler has been one of the most pleasant surprises for the New York Yankees this season since being called up in July, as the right-handed pitcher has flashed tremendous stuff over the course of his first 11 starts.

Schlittler has been so impressive, as a matter of fact, that many have wondered if he could potentially serve as the Yankees' No. 3 starter behind Max Fried and Carlos Rodon in the playoffs.

Unfortunately, the 24-year-old may have blown his opportunity on Tuesday night, giving up four runs while issuing five walks in 4.1 innings against the Minnesota Twins.

A couple of bad innings doomed Schlittler in the outing, particularly in the fifth when he gave up a two-run home run and walked three.

While it was the type of performance you would expect from a rookie, it also may have sabotaged Schlittler's chances of beating out Luis Gil and Will Warren for a spot in the playoff rotation. At least in the Wild Card Round.

To be fair, Schlittler has been very good overall in 2025. He owns a 3.41 ERA while allowing 53 hits and registering 69 strikeouts over 60.2 frames. However, Schlittler has struggled with his control, totaling 29 walks throughout that time.

That is a major red flag when it comes to Schlitter's postseason prospects, and while Gil isn't exactly a master of the strike zone, either, he is at least more experienced and pitched in the playoffs last year. October is a completely different ball game, and the last thing the Yankees need is to throw Schlittler out there too soon.

Schlittler will probably be on the playoff roster in a bullpen role, but you have to think Aaron Boone would be very leery about giving him a start in a postseason series. Especially a short one.

There may come a day when Schlittler is one of New York's top arms. He definitely has frontline stuff, and his minor-league numbers speak for themselves. But he is still just a neophyte on the big-league level, and it would be very risky for the Yankees to allow him to see the Houston Astros or the Boston Red Sox right off the bat next month.