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Newsweek
a day ago
- Sport
- Newsweek
Dodgers Star Infielder Mookie Betts on Season-Long Slump: 'It's All New'
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Los Angeles Dodgers star Mookie Betts has struggled all season, and there's no way to sugarcoat it. He's been a fraction of himself, and things come crashing down at the plate every time you think he may turn a corner. After the Dodgers' 2-0 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday night, Betts opened up about his struggles as it's the first time in his career a slump has lasted this long. LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers attempts to throw Milwaukee Brewers Isaac Collins #6 out at first in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on July 18,... LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA - JULY 18: Mookie Betts #50 of the Los Angeles Dodgers attempts to throw Milwaukee Brewers Isaac Collins #6 out at first in the second inning at Dodger Stadium on July 18, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. More Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images "You get so lost in it," Betts told Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic. "Once you go down a rabbit hole — not a rabbit hole like I'm chasing something — but once you get down so far, up is so high that you just don't even care about it anymore. Obviously, yes, I do want to play better. But where I was and where I am now, it's so night and day different." Betts' struggles started as he was working to regain the 20 pounds from a stomach virus before Opening Day. At the time, his struggles were thought to be temporary. However, they haven't gone away. ""I've never done this," Betts told Ardaya. "It's all new. I've never been this bad for this long." When looking at Betts' numbers for the season, a few things stand out. As Ardaya mentions, Betts is striking out at a rate of just 11%, a very low number in today's game. One strikeout for every nine at-bats isn't an issue. However, this table breaks down a few key differences between last year's metrics and this year's numbers from Baseball Savant. 2024 2025 Average Exit Velocity (Percentile) 64 29 Hard Hit Rate (Percentile) 44 20 Launch Angle Sweet Spot (Percentile) 92 60 Squared Up Rate (Percentile) 99 100 Walk Rate (Percentile) 92 58 All of these numbers go hand-in-hand with each other, and it starts with the decline in walks. Betts isn't seeing the ball well out of the pitchers' hands which is why his walk rates have declined. In turn, his contact isn't as strong as it should be because of issues with timing. Baseball Savant defines the sweet spot for launch angle as one between 8-32 degrees for hitters, and Betts has seen that number drop significantly. A mental reset could, in theory, work for Betts. However, the Dodgers aren't in a position to give him a week off either. It's something he will simply have to try and work through as the season continues. More MLB: Potential Tigers Reunion 'Would Mean a Lot' to Slugger Eugenio Suárez
New York Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- New York Times
One defining stat for all 30 MLB teams to help you get you caught up for the second half
Over the course of the Major League Baseball season, the trends, traits and tendencies that make each team unique can get lost in the daily grind. For that reason, the All-Star break provides a perfect opportunity to pause and assess the league's landscape. At this point, every team has played at least 95 games. Throughout thousands of innings and at-bats spanning four months of baseball, the statistical sample needed to evaluate all 30 clubs has slowly grown. Advertisement But there is a lot of baseball left to be played. The puzzle that is each team's season is still being built. We're starting to get a good idea of how the pieces fit together — and hopefully didn't lose any under the couch in the process. Before the second half gets rolling, let's zoom in on one stat that defines each team's season so far, for better or worse. The stats cited in this story are courtesy of Baseball Savant (advanced stats) and FanGraphs. All stats are updated through the All-Star break. Toronto Blue Jays (55-41) 17.7 K% (1st in MLB) Good things happen when you put the ball in play at a high rate and play strong defense. Just ask the Blue Jays. Toronto has taken over the AL East lead behind the league's lowest strikeout rate. They are tied for first in batting average, third in on-base percentage and third in singles. This pairs well with a strong defense, which ranks tied for eighth in defensive runs saved. New York Yankees (53-43) .455 slugging percentage (1st) While some questions can be asked about the Yankees' bullpen and defense, their offense has been elite. New York leads the sport in slugging percentage, expected slugging percentage, on-base percentage, home runs, walks, hard-hit percentage and barrel percentage and ranks third in runs scored. Even with this prolific statistical profile, New York sits in second place in the AL East behind the Blue Jays. Boston Red Sox (53-45) 18 blown saves (29th) Despite a stellar offense and torrid close to the first half, Boston remains in third place in the AL East because its pitching and defense have self-destructed at various points. The Red Sox are near the top of the sport in several offensive categories, ranking first in doubles and first in hits, and fifth in runs scored. These positives have been offset by the fact that Boston ranks 21st in runs allowed, 22nd in hits allowed and walks allowed and, to make matters worse, the Red Sox have committed 78 errors (second-most). Advertisement Then there are those glaring blown saves. However, Boston is only three games back of first place. Not the worst spot to be in. Tampa Bay Rays (50-47) 123 stolen bases (1st) The Rays' winning formula has been to get on base, steal bags and drive in runs. Tampa Bay ranks fourth in baseball with 845 hits and leads the sport in stolen bases, snagging 13 more than the next closest team. It's all tied together by the Rays' tendency to come up clutch with runners in scoring position. They have the second-highest batting average with runners in scoring position, just behind the Los Angeles Dodgers. As a result, Tampa Bay ranks ninth in runs scored. Baltimore Orioles (43-52) 132 home runs allowed (29th) How have the Orioles so massively underperformed expectations? Their pitching has gotten pulverized. Their offense hasn't been stellar either, but their staff's struggles have been seemingly insurmountable. Baltimore finds itself towards the top of the league in hits allowed (third), home runs allowed (second), runs allowed (fifth), and opponent exit velocity (fourth). They also have the fifth-fewest quality starts in baseball. As a result, Baltimore may become a seller at the trade deadline. Detroit Tigers (59-38) .444 expected slugging percentage (7th) Detroit is a dangerous team this year because it combines elite offense with top-tier pitching — hence its 11 1/2 game lead in the AL Central. The Tigers rank 12th in hits, sixth in runs scored and barrel percentage, and tied-eighth in homers. Pair these impressive metrics with the sixth-best ERA in the majors, thanks to a powerful staff led by reigning Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal, and you get a team that's 21 games over .500. Minnesota Twins (47-49) 249 walks allowed (1st) Even after a slow start, the Twins are within shouting distance of a .500 record, and one important factor in their stabilization has been their ability to avoid walking batters. Minnesota's other pitching metrics have been rather mediocre, so mitigating free passes has been critical. Advertisement The Twins have just 25 quality starts, 28th in the league. They also rank roughly middle of the pack in runs allowed, hits allowed and opponent exit velocity. Kansas City Royals (47-50) 328 runs scored (29th) The Royals' meager offense has been their downfall and a critical part of that is their approach. Kansas City has seen the second-fewest pitches in baseball, has the league's second-highest chase rate and has walked less often than any other team. One positive has been the team's ability to put the ball in play, recording the second-fewest strikeouts in baseball, but the power numbers are poor. The Royals rank 29th in homers and 26th in slugging percentage and barrel percentage. Despite its underwhelming offense, Kansas City is still only 4 1/2 games out of the American League's last Wild Card spot. Cleveland Guardians (46-49) .227 expected batting average (30th) It's actually impressive that Cleveland is just three games under .500, considering how abysmal it has been offensively this season. The Guardians rank towardsthe bottom of the league in too many metrics, including expected slugging percentage (30th), average exit velocity (28th), hard-hit percentage (30th), hits (30th) and runs scored (26th). If their offense does not improve, Cleveland may slide farther down the standings, considering their minus-45 run differential. Chicago White Sox (32-65) .235 expected batting average (28th) Yes, Chicago's pitching has been mediocre, but not poor enough to justify being 23 games under .500. The offense is the real culprit, despite being tied for eighth in exit velocity. Chicago has the second-fewest hits in baseball, third-fewest homers and second-fewest RBIs. The White Sox also have the league's fourth-worst strikeout rate and fourth-worst expected slugging percentage. Advertisement On the bright side, they're on pace to be better than last year. That counts for something — right? Houston Astros (56-40) 930 strikeouts (1st) Headlined by the hard-throwing Hunter Brown, Houston's aggressive pitching staff has propelled the Astros to a five-game lead in the AL West. The Astros attack the strike zone, throwing the sixth-fewest pitches this season while recording far and away the most strikeouts in baseball and generating the league's second-best whiff percentage. Even when the ball is put in play against the Astros, they allow just the second-lowest exit velocity in the sport. Seattle Mariners (51-45) 14,648 pitches seen (2nd) When facing this Mariners' lineup, opposing pitchers ought to be prepared for a battle. Seattle applies persistent pressure by consistently working counts, which has resulted in the team seeing the second-most pitches in the sport. While this is a credit to the Mariners' meticulous approach at the dish, it is also a sign of respect. Giving in against this group is a risky proposition, considering Seattle ranks seventh in hard-hit percentage and has hit the sixth-most homers in baseball. Probably not surprising, considering the Mariners are led by 2025 Home Run Derby champion Cal Raleigh. Texas Rangers (48-49) 3.31 ERA (1st) Where would the Rangers be without elite pitching? In addition to their sparkling team ERA, Texas has handcuffed opponents with the lowest slugging percentage in baseball, having given up the third-fewest homers. While starters Nathan Eovaldi, Jacob deGrom and Tyler Mahle have inflated these numbers, it's been a true team effort. Despite these glistening stats, Texas remains a .500 ball club because of its offensive struggles. The team ranks 24th in total hits and 23rd in expected batting average. Los Angeles Angels (47-49) 11.0 barrel percentage (2nd) Advertisement The Halos are somehow hovering around .500 despite ranking 24th in team batting average and tallying the second-most strikeouts at the plate. How have they compensated for this lack of consistent contact? Supreme efficiency. Simply put: their good swings are really good. The Angels have the highest barrel percentage in the league, resulting in the fifth-most homers. Of the team's 748 hits this season, 139 have been dingers. Athletics (41-57) 251 opponent barrels allowed (29th) The Athletics' pitching has been poor … and even that is being polite. Only one team has allowed more barrelled baseballs than them and the stats reflect that reality — the A's have allowed the second-most runs, the most home runs and the second-most hits in baseball. Did we mention they've issued 358 walks? Los Angeles Dodgers (58-39) .471 expected slugging percentage (2nd) Los Angeles' pitching has been pedestrian at best, yet the Dodgers lead the loaded NL West by 5 1/2 games. The same diabolically deep lineup that led the Dodgers to last season's World Series crown continues to dominate opposing pitching, despite cooling ahead of the All-Star break. The team is tied for second in batting average, third in expected batting average and second in both hits and home runs. The Dodgers' ability to hit for power, highlighted by their .471 expected slugging percentage, allows them to make up for their pitching staff's lackluster 4.29 ERA (23rd). Did I mention they also lead the majors in runs scored and rank third in slugging percentage? San Diego Padres (52-44) .242 expected batting average against (3rd) San Diego currently holds the No. 2 spot in the NL West and a Wild Card spot because its pitching staff has exceeded expectations, ranking top 10 in the league in: strikeouts (tied-eighth), earned runs allowed (fifth), homers allowed (tied-sixth) and opponent slugging percentage (tied-second). Advertisement Yet the stat that best summarizes how effective the Padres' pitching has been is opponents' .242 expected batting average, which has overshadowed some of their ugly hitting stats. The Padres sit 28th in barrel percentage, are fifth-lowest in exit velocity, 29th in hard-hit percentage and 25th in runs scored. San Francisco Giants (52-45) 7.6 opponent barrel percentage (3rd) The Giants' pitching has shone this season thanks to their collective ability to avoid hard contact. Their 39.4 percent hard-hit percentage allowed (tied for third-lowest) has directly resulted in allowing the league's fourth-fewest barrels, and they're tied for the second-fewest homers allowed. All of these stellar numbers are directly tied to the league's second-lowest opponent barrel percentage. As it turns out, limiting hard contact consistently can also do wonders for a staff's ERA. San Francisco holds the third-lowest mark in baseball, which has led to 45 quality starts in 97 games. Arizona Diamondbacks (47-50) 42.7 hard-hit percentage allowed (28th) Despite having one of the better offenses in baseball, Arizona is hovering around .500 and in fourth place in the crowded NL West because its pitching has fallen flat. The Diamondbacks' offense ranks second in the league in extra-base-hit percentage and doubles and fourth in homers. These efforts have been scuttled in part because their pitching staff ranks towards the top of the league in hard-hit percentage (third), exit velocity against (third), barrel percentage (second) and runs allowed (fourth). As a result, Arizona should be one of the prime sellers at the deadline, as it possesses several intriguing pieces that could help contending teams. Colorado Rockies (22-74) .472 opponent expected slugging percentage (30th) While Coors Field has always been known as a hitter's ballpark, that moniker is especially true this year because the Rockies' pitching has been abysmal, altitude or not. Advertisement Issues stem from the team's struggle to consistently throw first-pitch strikes. As a result, Rockies pitchers often find themselves behind in counts and ultimately pay the price for their lack of aggression early in at-bats, allowing the highest opponent expected slugging percentage in all of baseball. Fans in the Mile High City might already be counting the days until Ethan Holliday, drafted No. 4 on Sunday, is called up. Philadelphia Phillies (55-41) 88.6 mph average opponent exit velocity (1st) Phillies pitchers have excelled at minimizing hard contact by opposing hitters, ranking top five in hard-hit percentage (tied for second-lowest), barrel percentage (first) and expected slugging (third). This all correlates to a majors-high 53 quality starts in 96 games. Philadelphia's pitching keeps the squad in games, and the offense does the rest with quality at-bats, ranking fourth in on-base percentage, seventh in hits, tied for sixth in walks and sixth in hard-hit percentage. New York Mets (55-42) 83 home runs allowed (1st) This iteration of the Mets has been bolstered by pitching, and even though the staff has cooled off after a stellar start to the year, the numbers are still pretty impressive. New York ranks eighth in strikeouts, tied for ninth in opponent batting average, tied for second in opponent slugging percentage and fourth in ERA while allowing the fewest home runs in baseball. Now the question: Is this production sustainable? At the moment, it appears possible. Since June 1, the Mets have given up the seventh-fewest runs in baseball and the 10th-fewest hits, though they have walked the fifth-most batters. Miami Marlins (44-51) 89.9 mph average opponent exit velocity (27th) The Marlins' offense has kept them in games this season, ranking fourth in batting average, fifth in singles, and seventh in doubles. These numbers have exceeded expectations, but their pitching has been a letdown. Advertisement Miami's pitching struggles to generate whiffs, and when its hurlers get hit, they generally get hit hard. Marlins pitchers rank 23rd in strikeouts and 27th in opponent exit velocity, resulting in the league's sixth-highest expected opponent batting average. Atlanta Braves (42-53) 9.4 K/9 (2nd) Without quality pitching, an underwhelming season for the Braves could have been a downright disaster. Atlanta's pitching has allowed the fifth-fewest hits in baseball, is tied for the fourth-most quality starts, and ranks second with 878 strikeouts. Even with their pitching prowess, the Braves remain 11 games under .500 because they haven't hit to their standard. Atlanta ranks 24th in runs scored, 21st in batting average and 20th in hits. Washington Nationals (38-58) 5.21 ERA (28th) Similar to Miami, Washington has trotted out a respectable lineup with several impressive young bats, but its pitching staff as a whole has been abysmal. In fact, the Nats have the second-highest expected batting average in baseball, but think of any pitching statistic and they are probably towards the bottom of the league. Washington ranks in the bottom third of the league in the following metrics: opponent expected batting average (28th), opponent exit velocity (29th), ERA (28th), home runs allowed (22nd) and hits allowed (27th). There are more, but I digress. Chicago Cubs (57-39) .468 expected slugging percentage (3rd) Everything about the Cubs' offense is elite. Their process is precise and the results are self-explanatory. Chicago sees a lot of pitches, rarely chases and consistently barrels baseballs. As a result, the Cubs are near the top of several offensive categories, including expected slugging percentage, runs scored (second), hits (third), home runs (third), and on-base percentage (eighth). Did I mention they have stolen the third-most bases in the league? Shout-out to Pete Crow-Armstrong. Milwaukee Brewers (56-40) 110 stolen bases (2nd) In a modern game obsessed with exit velocity and launch angle, the Brewers play an old-school brand of baseball that works for them. Milwaukee is 16 games above .500 despite ranking last in barrel percentage and exit velocity and 28th in expected slugging percentage. Advertisement That's wild. Instead, the Brewers swipe bags, drive in runners and pitch well enough to tie the whole thing together. They have stolen the second-most bases in the league while ranking sixth in batting average with runners in scoring position and tied for sixth in ERA. St. Louis Cardinals (51-46) 36 errors committed (T-3rd) The Cardinals keep finding ways to win baseball games. This squad was counted out before the season began, but proceeded to defy expectations thanks to its bats and defense. St. Louis ranks 11th in hits, sixth in doubles, and 10th in runs scored. However, the Cardinals' pitching staff ranks 24th in hits allowed and 26th in opponent hard-hit percentage. That's where the gloves come in, as the Cardinals have committed the third-fewest errors in baseball. Cincinnati Reds (50-47) 39.2 opponent hard hit percentage (T-2nd) An essential part of the Reds' winning formula this season has been avoiding hard contact. Cincinnati's pitchers do not generate a lot of swings-and-misses, but they pitch effectively within the zone and force weak contact. The Reds are tied for the fifth-most quality starts (39) and are one of just six teams with multiple complete games. The offense gives them just enough run support to make it work with great plate discipline, owning the second-lowest chase rate in baseball. They also rank 11th in runs and 13th in stolen bases. Pittsburgh Pirates (39-58) 66 home runs (30th) It's unrealistic to have a respectable offense when you pair an inability to hit for power and one of the league's fourth-highest strikeout rate. That sums up the Pirates' season thus far. Pittsburgh ranks 24th in expected slugging percentage, 27th in hits and 30th in runs scored. Plus, a majority of their hits have been singles, sporting a league-low 5.8 extra-base-hit percentage. (Top photo of Houston's Hunter Brown: Alex Slitz / Getty Images)
USA Today
6 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
2025 Home Run Derby power rankings: Which participant has the best shot?
The Home Run Derby is one of baseball's most beloved traditions. The opportunity to see raw power on the biggest stage has long captivated fans. The recent changes to the tournament have been well-received as well. Changing the rules to be a timed tournament adds a sense of urgency and tension to what was already an enthralling event. With the new format, endurance has become a pivotal part of the derby, giving younger competitors a huge advantage. That's likely a big reason why, prior to Teoscar Hernandez winning a year ago, no competitor over the age of 26 had won since the format changed. Those are the factors you have to keep in mind when determining a winner this year. You've got to look for youth, stamina, and raw power. Here is every participant this year ranked by their odds of winning the Home Run Derby. All odds via BetMGM. Power Ranking 2025 Home Run Derby participants 1. Cal Raleigh, SEA (+280) It's obvious that the guy with the most home runs in baseball is going to be a favorite in an event about hitting home runs. But I wouldn't be so sure that the Big Dumper is going to win it all. He's a little old for his first tournament, and considering Raleigh has historically been a better hitter when batting right-handed, Truist Park has always been a pretty middling home run park for righties, favoring hitters from the left side. Maybe Raleigh will participate as a lefty. After all, 22 of his 38 home runs have come as a lefty. However, that's just because there are more right-handed pitchers in baseball than southpaws. He's just had more opportunity to hit homers from the left side than the right. Raleigh is slashing .229/.375/.543 as a lefty batter in 2025. He's slashing .333/.382/.853 as a righty. If he wants to put his best foot forward, he'll hit right-handed, which could hurt his chances. 2. Oneil Cruz, PIT (+350) 3. James Wood, WSH (+400) These two should be the favorites. They are both young enough to dominate in a battle of stamina and both are near the top of the exit velocity leaderboards this season. In fact, no one has hit a ball harder than Cruz's 122.9 mph, per Baseball Savant. Wood ranks fifth on that list. Cruz also ranks first in average exit velocity. He should be the favorite. These two should be the frontrunners and are likely the best bang for your buck if you're looking to gamble on the derby. T-4. Byron Buxton, MIN (+900) T-4. Brent Rooker, ATH (+900) T-4. Matt Olson, ATL (+900) While none of these participants is very young, they all have immense power. These guys could do some damage in the earlier rounds, but a decline should be expected as the tournament progresses. It would be a shock if any of these three win. 7. Junior Caminero, TB (+1000) 8. Jazz Chisholm Jr., NYY (+1500) Caminero is not getting nearly the love he deserves. Caminero's max exit velocity of 116.5 ranks 13th in Major League Baseball. The only two participants with better max exit velos are Wood and Cruz. Yet somehow they have much better odds than he does. Yes, Caminero is a right-handed hitter, which is a detriment in comparison to lefties Wood and Cruz, but if anyone is going to put up a fight against those two titans, it's going to be Caminero.
Newsweek
10-07-2025
- Sport
- Newsweek
Rays Land 30-Year-Old Pitcher In Rare Itra-Division Trade: Breaking
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The MLB trade deadline is quickly approaching. With around three weeks before the deadline, media outlets, writers, insiders, and fans have begun pitching their own trade ideas around baseball. With all the chatter going on in the background, the Tampa Bay Rays and Baltimore Orioles agreed on a deal that would send reliever Bryan Baker to Tampa Bay in exchange for the Rays' competitive balance pick in Sunday's MLB Draft, per Robert Murray. This pick is No. 37 overall. ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 05: Bryan Baker #43 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after striking out Austin Riley in the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 5,... ATLANTA, GEORGIA - JULY 05: Bryan Baker #43 of the Baltimore Orioles reacts after striking out Austin Riley in the eighth inning of a game against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on July 5, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. More Edward 30, has three additional years of control on his contract. The righty has been solid this year, holding a 3.52 ERA in 38 1/3 innings. He was rocked by the New York Mets in his most recent outing, but besides that appearance, his ERA is around 2.50 on the season. Baker has generated a lot of swing and miss this year. He's near the top of the league in strikeout percentage and whiff percentage, per Baseball Savant. The righty is also one of the better pitchers in baseball at limiting walks, issuing a free pass around six percent of the time. Adding a pitcher with this kind of ability to a team like the Rays, who are notorious for getting the most out of pitchers, is dangerous for the American League. With the New York Yankees faltering, the Rays may have seen this as their opportunity to strike and steal the division, but the competition will still be quite stiff. For the Orioles, landing this draft pick gives them a lot more flexibility at the top end of the draft. Baltimore will now be able to land multiple top prospects rather than having to settle on one guy. More MLB: Yankees General Manager Takes Strong Trade Deadline Stance
New York Post
10-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Cam Schlittler delivers impressive MLB debut as Yankees beat Mariners again
Access the Yankees beat like never before Join Post Sports+ for exciting subscriber-only features, including real-time texting with Greg Joyce about the inside buzz on the Yankees. Try it free It is still far too early to tell whether Wednesday night was a sign of things to come, a flash in the pan or even a showcase for other teams with the trade deadline nearing. But at least for one start, Cam Schlittler delivered just what the Yankees needed, doing so while lighting up the radar gun often enough for fans to utter, 'Holy Schlitt.' The 24-year-old Schlittler came out firing in his MLB debut and struck out seven across 5 ¹/₃ encouraging innings as the Yankees beat the Mariners for a third straight win, 9-6 in The Bronx. Called up to fill a hole in the rotation left by Clarke Schmidt needing Tommy John surgery, Schlittler walked off the mound in the sixth inning to a standing ovation from the 35,651 in attendance who appreciated his efforts. On a day that began with the Yankees (51-41) designating veteran infielder DJ LeMahieu for assignment, reinforcing the need to acquire a third baseman, general manager Brian Cashman still cited pitching as his biggest concern moving forward, largely due to a rotation missing three starters from last year's World Series staff. That was going to remain the biggest need regardless of how Schlittler fared. But in the interim, fresh off a quick rise through the Yankees farm system and prospect rankings, Schlittler was impressive against the Mariners (48-44). The right-hander allowed three runs on four hits (two solo homers) and two walks, capping off his outing by punching out MLB home run leader Cal Raleigh a second time. 4 Cam Schlittler, who allowed three runs in 5¹/₃ innings, won his major league debut in the Yankees' 9-6 win over the Mariners on July 9, 2025. Jaso Szenes / New York Post The first came on a 100 mph fastball that caught the catcher looking in the first inning. CHECK OUT THE LATEST MLB STANDINGS AND YANKEES STATS Schlittler's final pitch, a 98 mph heater, got Raleigh whiffing. Coming into the night, the hardest-thrown pitch by a Yankee this season belonged to reliever Yerry De Los Santos at 98.5 mph, according to Baseball Savant. 4 Cam Schlittler's family cheers during his MLB debut with the Yankees. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post By the end of his outing, Schlittler had thrown seven pitches above that mark, six of them coming in the first inning as he topped out at 100 mph. The Yankees provided their young teammate with plenty of run support to help the cause. They handed him a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning then added on from there — including two home runs from Jazz Chisholm Jr., who might just be playing his way into next week's Home Run Derby in Atlanta. 4 Jazz Chisholm flip his bat after hitting a homer in the fifth inning, his second of the game, in the Yankees' win over the Mariners. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Jasson Domínguez added a three-hit night out of the leadoff spot, including an RBI double in the sixth inning. Aaron Judge followed that with a two-run double to make it a 9-4 lead. Jonathan Loáisiga relieved Schlittler with a man on second in the sixth inning and immediately gave up a two-run homer on the first pitch he threw to Randy Arozarena, making it a 6-4 game. 4 Aaron Judge rips a two-run double during the sixth inning of the Yankees' victory over the Mariners. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Loáisiga got tagged for another two-run shot in the seventh inning that pulled the Mariners within 9-6, further emphasizing the need for bullpen help by the deadline. But Luke Weaver, who had a brutal last week, looked sharper in 1 ²/₃ scoreless innings before Devin Williams closed it out with a perfect ninth inning for his 13th save.
