The Yankees suffered a tough walk-off loss to the Baltimore Orioles in their Spring Breakout game on Saturday afternoon. While the final score didn’t fall in their favor, the Bombers still walked away with a few exciting takeaways, particularly from their young pitching prospects.
One name that stood out was 21-year-old right-hander Carlos Lagrange, who turned heads by dialing up his fastball to triple digits. At 6-foot-7 and just 195 pounds, Lagrange has the frame of a power pitcher, and he’s proving he has the velocity to match.
Lagrange’s Fastball Is the Real Deal
Lagrange was firing heaters that topped 100 mph, putting everyone on notice. His velocity has always been a strength, but the ability to consistently sit in that range is what makes him an intriguing prospect.
Last season, Lagrange only threw 14.1 innings with the Yankees’ Single-A minor league affiliate in Tampa. He struggled with a 6.91 ERA, but there were flashes of potential, especially in his strikeout numbers. He fanned 11.93 batters per nine innings, an elite mark that shows how overpowering his stuff can be when he’s in command.
The issue, however, has been control. His 51.9% left-on-base rate and 40.6% ground ball rate suggest that while he gets swings and misses, he hasn’t been able to put hitters away consistently.
Injury Setbacks and a Fresh Start
Lagrange dealt with some injuries last season, which undoubtedly impacted his numbers. His back trouble kept him from logging more innings and refining his mechanics, but heading into 2025, he’s fully healthy and looking to make strides.
“(This was) a big opportunity for me. It meant a lot…to prove to myself that I’m a good pitcher and I can throw strikes,” Lagrange said after his outing.
Physically, he feels stronger than ever. “This year I feel really good,’’ he added, calling a back injury “minor,” via NJ.com.
A Potential Fast Riser in the System
Lagrange is currently ranked No. 19 in the Yankees’ farm system (via MLB Pipeline), but that could change quickly if he finds a way to control the strike zone more effectively. His fastball gives him a legitimate major league weapon, and if he can improve his command, he has the potential to rise through the ranks fast.
It’s likely he’ll start the season back in Single-A with Tampa, but if he builds on his spring performance and sharpens his secondary pitches, a jump to Double-A could come sooner rather than later. For now, he’s given the Yankees something to be excited about as they continue searching for impact arms in their farm system.