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Feb 21, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; New York Yankees pitcher Carlos Lagrange (84) throws a pitch against the Detroit Tigers during the second inning in a Spring Training game at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images
The New York Yankees didn't enter Spring Training thinking that there was a Carlos LaGrange decision they'd have to make.
But this week, LaGrange forced a choice. The Yanks had to decide whether this flame-throwing prospect deserved a surprise spot on the Opening Day roster.
Whether he did or not, the Yankees made the logical but now much tougher choice to send him down to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to start the season.
It's not a given that he'll reach the majors quickly, but LaGrange certainly has a chance after a flame-throwing spring showing this month.
“He made it a difficult decision,” Yankees manager Aaron Boone told reporters, via MLB.com. “Coming into this, I wouldn’t have even thought there was a decision. He’s definitely got everyone’s attention. I love where he’s at. I would not be surprised if he is impacting us early, middle, later part of the season. I can just tell you, we’re all very excited about his continued development and what we think he could mean to our team at some point.”
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LaGrange pitched 13.2 innings in MLB Spring Training and allowed only a single run, which amounts to a 0.66 ERA.
The big right-hander is ranked the No. 79 overall prospect in baseball by MLB Pipeline, and clearly he has turned a lot of heads this spring.
LaGrange has been compared to former Yankees reliever Dellin Betances, but LaGrange might be better, because he might stick in the starting rotation.
He's definitely a name worth remembering. He may be back with the major league club very soon.
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