If pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange wasn’t already on the New York Yankees’ radar, he most certainly is now.
Lagrange dazzled in Saturday’s Spring Breakout game against the rival Baltimore Orioles, frequently topping 100 and 101 mph over four innings. The 21-year-old allowed two runs (one earned) and struck out two in the 5-4 loss.
“This was a big, big opportunity for me,” Lagrange said. “It meant a lot.”
Lagrange retired 12 of his final 13 batters and hit 101 mph on his last pitch.
“It just was an opportunity to prove to myself and everybody else that I’m a good pitcher and I can throw strikes,” Lagrange told reporters, according to the New York Post.
The Yankees signed the 6-foot-7, 195-pound Lagrange for $10,000 in 2022. He’s currently considered a top-20 prospect in the Yankees’ farm system.
Lagrange owns a 4.70 ERA across three minor-league seasons and topped out at Single-A Tampa last year. However, the talented righty should expect to start 2025 with the Tarpons, where he must improve his control if he ever intends to don the pinstripes.
Although Lagrange tallied a 2.08 ERA in five Arizona Fall League games, he walked 15 over 8.2 innings.
Lagrange didn’t walk a single hitter Saturday. We probably won’t see him reach the majors this year, though he’s positioning himself to earn a non-roster invitee and camp invite next spring.
From there? If he keeps pitching like he did Saturday, Lagrange may want to ensure he has a travel bag for the Bronx on standby.
