Imposing Yankees Righty Carlos Lagrange Blazes With Fastball
In terms of sheer arm talent, there may not be anyone in the Yankees’ system with higher upside than 22-year-old righthander Carlos Lagrange.
Harnessing it consistently had proven to be a challenge—until 2025.
Signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2022, Lagrange is an overpowering 6-foot-7, 248-pound righty who seemed to mostly put it all together last season.
The 22-year-old reduced his walk rate from 20% in 2024 to about 12% last year while tossing 120 innings between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. He struck out 168 batters, more than any minor league pitcher but Jonah Tong (179) and Elmer Rodriguez (176).
Lagrange tops 100 mph with relative ease and among pitchers who threw their four-seamers 400 or more times last year, just five registered the same kind of velocity. He also throws a sweeper, gyro slider and changeup.
For Lagrange, his ability to reach his ceiling will largely be dictated by fastball command, which has often let him down in and contributed to outings with high walk rates. He issued five or more free passes in five of his 15 Double-A starts.
“I work at it a lot, that’s the most important thing,” said Lagrange during the 2025 season in an interview translated by Double-A defensive coach Uziel Viloria.
“With my fastball, I go back to my mechanics. When my mechanics are good, my command is there. Sometimes, I have to make some adjustments, but when the mechanics are good, the command is good.”
Many evaluators believe Lagrange is ticketed for a high-leverage bullpen role in the future, but he will continue to develop as a starter.
One rival American League evaluator believed Lagrange could have retired big league hitters in a bullpen role last year, and his path to the majors would seemingly be vastly accelerated if that transition is made.
