The New York Yankees are struggling to find rhythm across both spectrums of the game in recent weeks. They led the AL East division with a decent winning record until the end of May. However, their form dropped significantly in June, so they now share the second spot in the division alongside the Tampa Bay Rays, both two games behind the current leaders, the Toronto Blue Jays.
The current AL pennant holders have struggled with their bullpen rotation since losing various starters and relief pitchers to multiple injuries. Some of the Yankees‘ staple starters, such as Gerrit Cole, Luis Gil, Ryan Yarbrough, and Clarke Schmidt, have been on the injured list for varying periods.
To make things worse, relief pitchers Fernando Cruz, Yerry De Los Santos, Jake Cousins, and others are also on the IL after encountering injuries to their pitching arms. The depth chart has been tested like never before, forcing manager Aaron Boone to get creative with his rotations and bullpen usage.
Yankees Skipper Aaron Boone is Considering Adding Top Prospect to Pitching Rotation Per MLB Insider
Per MLB Insider Bryan Hoch, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone might be looking for a top pitching prospect to add to the pitching rotation. RHP Cam Schlittler has been impressing with his outings in the minor leagues and has quickly transitioned from Double-A to the Triple-A Scranton-Wilkes Barre RailRiders this campaign.
Aaron Boone said that top pitching prospect Cam Schlittler is “in the mix” to join the rotation, via @BryanHoch.
Schlittler has a 2.82 ERA across two levels of Minor League Baseball, striking out 99 batters in 76.2 IP. pic.twitter.com/i60IW04TV0
— Fireside Yankees (@FiresideYankees) July 4, 2025
The Bombers selected the 24-year-old in the seventh round of the 2022 MLB draft. He started his professional baseball career in the rookie league but has reached the stage when the coaching staff finds him worthy of pitching in the major leagues. Across the games with the ballclub’s Double-A and Triple-A affiliates in the MiLB, he has registered an ERA of 2.82 with 99 strikeouts in 76.2 IP.
Those numbers tell the story of a pitcher who’s ready for the next level. Schlittler’s strikeout rate of nearly 12 per nine innings shows he can miss bats consistently, something the Yankees desperately need right now.
Cam Schlittler yesterday:
– Up to 99 mph
– 9 Ks
– 19 swinging strikes
– Struck out Kristian Campbell three times(🎥 @swbrailriders)
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 26, 2025
Schlittler can be a valuable addition to the bullpen rotation, which has looked weary in recent weeks. The young RHP possesses decent pitching control and attempts to dominate the proceedings from the mound during his outings.
His positive attitude and high-velocity pitches can benefit the struggling Yanks should he be added to the rotation in the coming days. The fact that he’s touching 99 mph with his fastball gives him the kind of stuff that plays well in the majors.
Yankees Struggling as Pitching Woes Continue
The Bombers are now on a five-game losing streak and hold a 48-40 overall record. They have struggled recently, with two separate five-game losing streaks in their last 20 games. The Yankees’ most recent loss came against the New York Mets in the Subway Series opener on Friday night.
This skid has put serious pressure on the front office to make moves before the trade deadline. With the Blue Jays pulling ahead in the division, every game matters now. The pitching staff needs help, and Schlittler could provide it without costing the team any prospects in a trade.
The World Series hopefuls will be hoping to bounce back from their losing slump in the remaining games of the feisty Subway Series, with game two scheduled to be played on Saturday night at Citi Field. A strong showing against their crosstown rivals could be exactly what this team needs to turn things around.