Cam Schlittler's Dominant Season Puts Him in AL MVP Conversation
The New York Yankees ace is a strong contender for the Cy Young Award and is making a case for the American League MVP.
New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler is emerging as a leading candidate for both the American League Cy Young Award and the AL MVP award. Schlittler, 25, has been a dominant force for the Yankees, leading American League pitchers in ERA (1.94) and WHIP (0.91) heading into his final start of the season.
Schlittler's performance has been crucial for the Yankees, who have faced significant injuries to their starting rotation. Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodón, and Max Fried all spent time on the injured list, placing immense pressure on Schlittler to anchor the pitching staff. The team's overall pitching ERA of 3.21 ranks first in MLB. The offensive struggles, particularly after Aaron Judge's placement on the IL in June, further amplified the need for Schlittler's consistency.
Despite the absence of key players, the Yankees have secured a playoff berth, finishing with the second-best record in the American League. The article argues that without Schlittler's performance, the Yankees might not have reached the postseason.
Schlittler has set a Yankees franchise record by allowing one or no runs in 21 starts this season. He is third in the AL with 234 strikeouts and second in innings pitched with 190 2/3. His 7.0 bWAR (Baseball-Reference Wins Above Replacement) leads all American League pitchers, placing him ahead of other MVP contenders such as Yordan Alvarez, Bobby Witt Jr., and Junior Caminero.
The article posits that Schlittler's value extends beyond traditional pitching statistics, highlighting his role in carrying the team through injuries and offensive slumps. It contrasts his situation with other MVP candidates, suggesting that while players like Alvarez and Witt have had strong seasons, Schlittler's impact on his team's success is more profound, especially considering the Yankees' struggles without Judge.
Historically, pitchers have rarely won the MVP award. Only 12 players in MLB history have won both the Cy Young and MVP in the same season. Justin Verlander was the last pitcher to win the AL MVP in 2011, leading the league in bWAR. Schlittler's dominance and durability this season position him to potentially join that exclusive club.