There IS excellence and there is Yankees excellence. 

And for a pitcher to receive The Bronx version of distinction, there are boxes to check. Postseason. Fenway Park. Subway Series. 

And here is Cam Schlittler, still not a calendar year into his major league career, having checked them all. And now working further on this one — young ace stepping up while those from the veteran category mend from injury. 

Access the Yankees beat like never before

Don’t miss Greg Joyce’s text messages from The Bronx and beyond — he’s giving Sports+ subscribers the inside buzz on the Yankees.

Schlittler has been so good — historically brilliant, by the way — that even at rotation full health (if the Yankees ever get there), you have to think he would be the top choice to get the ball to, say, open a playoff series. Of course, that is a long way from here. But we also are creating more and more distance from July 9, 2025 — his MLB debut.