Yankees Prospect Lagrange Impresses Judge in Spring Training

TAMPA, Fla. – Carlos Lagrange is quickly turning heads in Yankees camp, and on Monday, he did so in spectacular fashion. The 22-year-old pitching prospect struck out Yankees captain Aaron Judge during a live batting practice session, showcasing a fastball that touched 103 mph.

The session, a three-inning simulated game, was designed to give Lagrange a chance to face Major League hitters. “I knew I was going to be on the mound when I walked into George M. Steinbrenner Field this morning,” Lagrange said, through an interpreter. The opportunity to face Judge, one of the game’s most formidable hitters, was not lost on him.

Lagrange didn’t shy away from the challenge. After working through a group that included Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham, he faced Judge again. Three pitches later, he painted the corner with a 102.6 mph fastball, a pitch preceded by a sweeping slider that broke sharply. Judge went down swinging.

Carlos Lagrange strikes out Aaron Judge on three pitches. Last one at 102.6 mph. pic.twitter.com/Z4dODwf0Hn

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 16, 2026

Judge, preparing for his role as captain of Team USA in the upcoming World Baseball Classic, acknowledged the impressive display. “You can look at the radar gun and see 103, that’s what it was,” Judge said. “But I think it’s also just the presence he has on the mound. He’s a guy we sent tough lineups against today, and he didn’t flinch.”

Lagrange, signed out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022 for $10,000, has rapidly ascended through the Yankees’ minor league system. In 2025, he went 11-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 24 games (23 starts), striking out 168 batters in 120 innings while splitting time between High-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset. He attributes his increased velocity to a focused offseason of training.

“I know 102 is hard, but I train hard in the offseason,” Lagrange said. “When you do a good job in the winter, that’s the result.”

The third matchup between Lagrange and Judge proved particularly revealing. With two strikes, Lagrange disregarded catcher J.C. Escarra’s sign, opting to finish Judge off with pure velocity. Judge made contact, sending a deep fly ball to left-center field that fell near the warning track – likely an out.

Carlos Lagrange vs. Aaron Judge, round III. Lagrange shows off his sweeper a couple times. Gets Judge to fly out to left. pic.twitter.com/0d3Z4v7hMq

— Bryan Hoch ⚾️ (@BryanHoch) February 16, 2026

“I just want to keep working on those things,” Lagrange said.

While these live batting practice sessions don’t count on the stat sheet, they carry weight. Judge is gearing up for international competition, and Lagrange is attempting to make a lasting impression in his first Major League spring training. Both players considered Monday’s workout productive.

Yankees manager Aaron Boone has been impressed with Lagrange’s development. “We’re excited about him, for good reason,” Boone said. Lagrange, ranked as baseball’s No. 79 prospect by MLB Pipeline, possesses the potential to become a significant contributor to the Yankees’ pitching staff.

Judge echoed Boone’s sentiment, emphasizing Lagrange’s confidence and composure. “That’s what you need if you’re going to play in the Bronx,” Judge said. “You’ve got to have that attitude, that no matter who’s in front of you, what’s going on, you’re going to attack them. So I’m excited for him, excited for his work. His personality and presence – he’s going to be a special player for us.”

At 6-foot-7 and 248 pounds, Lagrange is an imposing figure on the mound, further accentuated by a diamond-studded chain he calls part of his “flow.” His ability to command the strike zone has improved significantly, a testament to his dedication during the offseason. Lagrange’s combination of size, velocity, and developing secondary pitches has positioned him as one of the Yankees’ most promising young arms.