How Yankees’ Cam Schlittler and Pirates’ Paul Skenes stand alone in MLB history

New York Yankees starting pitcher Cam Schlittler is in the early stages of a breakout season. The right-hander is on an AL Cy Young pace right now and is the early favorite to win the award. He is absolutely dominating the start of the 2026 season, and Yankees fans are loving every second of it.

Schlittler also had an incredible rookie season in 2025 and, as a result, has now entered new territory, alongside only Pittsburgh Pirates star Paul Skenes.

“Cam Schlittler has allowed a total of 36 earned runs in his first 26 big league starts and struck out 165 batters doing it. The only other pitcher in MLB history to do that is Paul Skenes.”

In 12 starts this season, the 25-year-old is 7-2 with a 1.50 ERA. He adds a 0.85 WHIP, .185 OBA, and an incredible .481 OOPS. Schlittler has struck out 81 hitters this season, which is fifth in the league. He has already racked up a 3.3 WAR, proving that he is the best hurler on the staff right now, even more so than Max Fried. Schlittler and Fried are going to make a nasty 1-2 punch this season and in October.

Schlittler has also made history not seen since 1914. Via Sarah Langs on MLB.com, “Schlittler now holds a 1.50 ERA on the season, which is the second-lowest of any Yankees pitcher through their first 12 starts since 1913. Only Ray Caldwell’s 1.46 mark in 1914 was lower.”

The Yankees and Athletics begin a 3-game series in Sacramento on Friday. Carlos Rodon, another nasty lefty for the Yankees, starts for NY while Luis Severino, a former Yankee, toes the slab for the A’s.

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