Baseball, and specifically Major League Baseball, is so unique for all the extremely niche statistic graphs that can bridge several decades of the game.
For the New York Yankees, starter Cam Schlittler recently made a unique form of MLB history that has not happened since Walter Johnson in 1913.
The Yankees are off to a great start this season, and Cam Schlittler is one of the main reasons why.
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GettyMILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – MAY 09: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees throws a pitch in the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on May 09, 2026 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. (Photo by John Fisher/Getty Images)
Cam Schlittle Makes Unique MLB History
Per Opta Stats, Cam Schlittler is the first pitcher in MLB history since Walter Johnson to start a season with:
50+ strikeouts, fewer than 10 walks, no more than 1 HR allowed, sub 1.50 ERA.
And what makes Cam Schlittler’s start even more impressive is the fact that Walter Johnson played part of his career in the dead-ball era, where baseballs weren’t formed the way they are now with increased cork in the middle of the ball.
Cam Schlittler’s 2025 stats: 9 starts, 1.35 ERA, 53.1 innings pitched, 59 strikeouts, nine walks issued, eight earned runs allowed.
Even though the Yankees have some of the best starters in MLB (Max Fried, Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon), Schlittler is making a name for himself that is making headlines.
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Cam Schlittler as a Yankees Pitcher
GettyST. PETERSBURG, FL – APRIL 12: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees throws against the Tampa Bay Rays during the fourth inning of a baseball game at Tropicana Field on April 12, 2026 in St. Petersburg, Florida. (Photo by Mike Carlson/Getty Images)
Also what makes this so impressive is the fact Cam Schlittler is in just his 2nd year in MLB.
Over 23 career starts, he holds a 2.28 ERA over 126.1 total innings and 143 strikeouts.
Schlittler’s ERA+ of 316 leads MLB, which is an incredible mark to start a season with in just your sophomore season.
Sporting News writer Billy Heyen also noticed this historical mark, and noted this about Cam Schlittler:
“It’s really been a remarkable start to this season for Schlittler. He wowed late last year, including in the postseason, but it’s never a given that a young pitcher carries over that small sample size success into a brand new year. For Schlittler, that’s exactly what he’s done. He looks like the young star he was hoped to be. It’s unlikely he’ll match any of Johnson’s career numbers from a time when ace starting pitchers threw a whole lot more often. But at the moment, Schlittler is doing as well as anyone could’ve possibly hoped.”
GettyNEW YORK, NEW YORK – OCTOBER 02: Cam Schlittler #31 of the New York Yankees celebrates during the fifth inning against the Boston Red Sox in game three of the American League Wild Card Series at Yankee Stadium on October 02, 2025 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Ishika Samant/Getty Images)
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Yankees’ Cam Schlittler Makes Unique MLB History Not Done Since Early 1910s