The Yankees are in the lead Carlos Lagrange in the bullpen in Triple-A, as first reported by YES Network’s Jack Curry. Manager Aaron Boone then confirmed the decision while adding that the team still hopes to develop Lagrange as a starter in future seasons.
“We definitely look at him long term as a starter,” Boone told reporters (including MLB.com’s Bryan Hoch). “But in the lens of 2026, there’s a chance he can get us out of the bullpen while not disrupting anything going forward.” Boone added that the Yankees will need to take “a few weeks” for Lagrange to get used to shortstop and pitching every day.
That will happen with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. It will still be at least a few weeks before Lagrange becomes an option at the MLB level. It’s clear the Yankees are eyeing a midseason promotion for the 23-year-old, who has the makings of a late-season weapon near the strike zone. They’ll feel free to move him up a few weeks before the trade deadline, as that could fuel their rush to add some outfield bullpen help.
Lagrange averaged 98.9 mph on his fastball while serving as a starter. There’s a good chance he’ll be sitting in triple digits in short bursts, as he’s been burned to 103. He owns a pedestrian 4.41 ERA over 49 Triple-A innings despite a 29% strikeout rate. Lagrange has walked more than 11% of opponents while averaging less than five innings per start.
The fastball is one of the best kids. Prospect scouts also praised his breaking stuff, especially his slider. Baseball America and Eric Longenhagen/Brendan Gawlowski of FanGraphs each ranked Lagrange the #4 prospect in the Yankees system this winter. Both of these outlets felt that he might end up in the fold if he was given his lower power but wrote that he is already closing in on that position.
The Yankees look like they might be looking for another top arm to join them David Bednar, Fernando Cruz again Brent Headrick in freedom. Bednar, an upcoming free agent, has had an inconsistent season in the closer role. New York can get Clark Schmidt back later in the year to work in a relief and/or think tank Ryan Weathers in the fold if they are worried about his work.
