Yankees

Cam Schlittler for MVP? Aaron Judge Loves the Idea

By ••3 min read
Cam Schlittler for MVP? Aaron Judge Loves the Idea

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Aaron Judge endorsed Cam Schlittler for the Cy Young Award, saying the Yankees’ pitcher has performed at an MVP level but deserves recognition as baseball’s best pitcher. Judge said the offense’s mindset is to score one run and let Schlittler handle the rest, praising his consistency, durability and unshakable approach. Judge also supported Ben Rice’s move to leadoff and said the Yankees should celebrate reaching the postseason before pursuing a World Series.

Aaron Judge did not hesitate when the subject of Cam Schlittler came up.

MVP?

Judge understands the argument. Schlittler has pitched like one of the most valuable players in baseball.

But Judge also made his position pretty clear.

Give Cam the Cy Young.

“He’s definitely pitching like an MVP,” Judge said. “But they got a Cy Young Award for a reason, best pitcher in the game. So he’s got my vote definitely for the Cy Young.”

And really, what else needs to be said?

Schlittler has reached the point where his starts feel completely different from everybody else’s.

Judge Says The Yankees Only Need To Get Cam A Run

The most revealing part of Judge’s comments was not even the Cy Young endorsement.

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It was how the Yankees captain described the offensive mindset whenever Schlittler takes the ball.

“As an offense, it’s just, ‘Hey, grind on this pitcher, get one run, and let Cam go do the rest.’”

That tells you exactly how much confidence this clubhouse has in him.

One run.

Not 5. Not 6.

Get Cam something to work with and let him take over.

Judge pointed out that Schlittler has been the same pitcher regardless of what is happening around him. Losing streak? Doesn’t matter. Yankees rolling? Same guy. Bullpen exhausted? Schlittler goes deep and gives everybody a break.

That consistency is what separates an ace from somebody simply having a good year.

And Judge believes the Yankees saw this coming.

Asked whether he expected this level of dominance, Judge answered, “100%.”

He talked about Schlittler’s fastball, his ability to attack the strike zone and the obvious stuff that hitters have to deal with.

But Judge kept coming back to something else.

His mindset.

“Nothing phases him,” Judge said.

A meaningless afternoon game against a team going nowhere or a postseason game with the season sitting on every pitch — Judge says Schlittler approaches it the same way.

That might be his greatest weapon.

The Yankees Are Almost Back In October

The conversation also shifted toward the Yankees being one win away from securing a postseason spot.

Should they celebrate simply getting in?

Judge almost sounded offended by the question.

Of course they should.

The Yankees’ ultimate goal is a World Series. Nobody inside that clubhouse is pretending otherwise. But Judge made a good point: you cannot win a championship unless you first earn the opportunity to play for one.

For some players, this could be their only postseason run wearing pinstripes.

Celebrate getting there.

Then get back to work.

Ben Rice Has Judge’s Approval Too

Judge also praised Ben Rice’s move to the leadoff spot, pointing to his ability to either immediately change a game with power or force pitchers through long at-bats.

Rice has bounced around the lineup and the field all season — catcher, first base, DH, middle of the order and now leadoff — and Judge believes he has handled every assignment thrown at him.

But the biggest statement from Judge was reserved for Schlittler.

When your captain is basically telling the offense that one run might be enough every fifth day, that is not normal confidence.

That is ace-level respect.

Forget forcing Schlittler into the MVP discussion when baseball already has an award specifically built to recognize what he has done.

Aaron Judge has made his choice.

Cam Schlittler is his Cy Young.

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