Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, Ben Rice keep building an All-Star case

NEW YORK – Here’s one endorsement for Cam Schlittler starting for the American League All-Stars.

“I think he should, actually,” said Yankees teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr., following Schlittler’s latest impressive start Friday night – tallying 13 strikeouts in a 5-0 win against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium.

Yankees first baseman/DH Ben Rice should be in that same Philadelphia-bound car for the July 14 All-Star Game, and maybe Yanks’ Northeast area scout Matt Hyde should throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

Behind Schlittler’s “electric” performance, Rice launched his team-leading 21st homer of the year. It happened during a four-run second inning that began with Chisholm’s solo shot off Reds starter Rhett Lowder.

“It’s remarkable, really , when you think about it,” Yanks manager Aaron Boone said of two later-round draft picks from Massachusetts now “turning into two cornerstone pieces for us, and in their own way, dominating the league.”

Cam Schlittler’s “great presence” factors again

Jun 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Cam Schlittler (31) delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

With his already trademark self-assurance, delivered in an understated tone, Schlittler spoke about wanting to “go out there and kind of have a dominant start” Friday.

Schlittler cited his 2026 Yankee Stadium stats going into Friday – 5-4 record, 3.08 ERA vs. 6-2, 1.72 on the road – as not up to personal standards.

Between starts, Schlittler said he worked on his downhill mechanics to sharpen up his fastball command.

After nicking the first hitter of the game, Blake Dunn with a pitch, Schlittler ran a full count against JJ Bleday but got a strikeout/throw-out double play courtesy of catcher J.C. Escarra.

“Able to get in a good rhythm after that,” said Schlittler, who yielded four hits and did not walk a batter, lowering his league-leading ERA to 1.72.

“Great presence at top of the zone, used his sinker. He was feeling it tonight,” Boone said of Schlittler having all three different fastballs working.

Making an All-Star case

Jun 19, 2026; Bronx, New York, USA; New York Yankees first baseman Ben Rice (22) rounds the bases after hitting a three run home run during the second inning against the Cincinnati Reds at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images

Not surprisingly, the idea of starting for the AL All-Stars is “not really a concern right now,” said Schlittler, coming off his 30th career regular season start.

In that span, Schlittler somehow hadn’t recorded a double-digit strikeout game, but he’d fanned 12 Red Sox in last year’s clinching AL Wild Card Game 3.

“We can all say he’s probably been the best, one of the best, pitchers in the sport,” said Boone, confident that Schlittler will “be in that conversation” to start the Mid-Summer Classic.

And in this Aaron Judge-less lineup (fractured rib), which had Yankees Universe bracing for another June swoon, the Yanks have won nine of their last 11 games and Rice hasn’t missed a beat.

Since May 26, Rice has reached safely in 18 of 20 games, batting .333 (27-for-81) with five homers, 19 RBI and a 1.062 OPS.

“He’s a lead man,” said Schlittler. And with lineup anchors Judge and Giancarlo Stanton sidelined, and probably for some time, “guys have stepped up and he’s been a huge piece of that.”

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Yankees’ Cam Schlittler, Ben Rice keep building an All-Star case

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