Cam Schlitter’s tough beginning increases uncertainty about his spot in the Yankees’ rotation.

Kam Schlittler’s Performance Sparks Conversation

Kam Schlittler’s outing on Monday was his third chance to showcase why he should remain in the Yankees rotation. However, things did not go smoothly for the 24-year-old.

In the Yankees’ 4-2 loss to the Rays, Schlittler struck out five batters but also gave up three earned runs over four innings, including four walks.

The game started off poorly for him, as he surrendered a two-run homer to Junior Kaminero and issued three walks in the first inning. But, as the game progressed, Schlittler found his footing and leaned into his strongest asset—a fastball that averages around 98 mph.

“One of his trademarks is his ability to fill the strike zone,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone commented. “His fastball is powerful and authentic.”

Throughout his early career, Schlittler has relied heavily on his fastball, throwing it about 52% of the time. But Boone believes there’s room for improvement, especially regarding his secondary pitches like sliders and curveballs.

“I’m continuing to fine-tune the secondary pitches,” Boone noted, adding that he feels Schlittler has already made strides in those areas during his recent outings.

The question now is whether fans might view Schlittler as a potential trade asset. He hasn’t been overwhelmed on the mound but carries a 4.91 ERA across 14⅔ innings with 18 strikeouts. His position is a bit precarious, especially with Lewis Gill and Ryan Yabrow returning to the team.

If things don’t improve, the Yankees might consider demoting him back to the minors. When asked about the main differences between pitching in the majors and minors, Schlittler reflected, “I think batters make quicker adjustments. The zone seems a bit smaller. As you saw in the first inning, if you aren’t hitting your spots, they’re going to make you pay.”