The New York Yankees opened their 2026 Grapefruit League schedule with eyes firmly on the present and future of the franchise, and during that first week of workouts, veteran slugger Aaron Judge had plenty to say about one of the club’s most intriguing young arms.
In a week that featured both live batting practice and the first spring exhibition, 22-year-old pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange caught Judge‘s attention, and not just because of the radar gun.
The towering right-hander showed triple-digit velocity and a competitive edge against some of the Yankees‘ best hitters, including the three-time American League MVP, during drills in Tampa, Florida.
Judge didn’t mince words when discussing Lagrange‘s potential. “Carlos‘ potential, man, is to be a frontline starter for the New York Yankees,” the outfielder said, via Chris Kirschner of The Athletic.
First impressions in camp
Lagrange‘s spring training debut was notable not only for the velocity he showed, with fastballs topping out north of 100 mph, but also for how he handled himself against major league bats.
In simulated live batting practice, Lagrange struck out Judge on a 102.6 mph fastball in one at-bat, while Judge belted another pitch for extra bases earlier in the session.
Judge expanded on what impressed him beyond the pure speed, noting the prospect’s presence on the mound.
“You can look up at the radar and see 103 mph, the fastball he threw by me, but I think it’s also just the presence that he has on the mound,” Judge said.
“We sent up some pretty nasty lineups against him today, and he didn’t care. He wanted to be out there, and he came right after us.”
That mix of elite stuff and competitive demeanor is precisely what scouts and coaches covet. For a young pitcher with limited professional innings but a huge arm, commanding the mound with confidence in front of a Big League lineup is a promising sign.
Inside Lagrange‘s rise
Lagrange‘s ascent through the Yankees‘ system has been swift and, at times, surprising. Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 for a modest bonus, the 6-foot-7 righty quickly established himself as a strikeout force in the minors.
Over 120 innings in the 2025 season between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset, Lagrange punched out 168 batters while showing the velocity and secondary stuff that earned him a spot near the top of the organization’s prospect lists.
His path hasn’t been without challenges. Command has fluctuated at times, and the balance between harnessing his raw power and refining his control will likely determine how quickly he makes a sustained impact in the big leagues.
Yet the very traits that make Lagrange intriguing, size, velocity, and a developing arsenal of pitches, were all on display during the Yankees‘ first full squad workouts.
Manager Aaron Boone has also commented on Lagrange‘s development, noting how the right-hander has worked with established veterans like Gerrit Cole and the rest of the staff to sharpen his game.
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