In the New York Yankees' first full-squad workout in Tampa, Florida, star outfielder Aaron Judge faced top pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange during a live batting practice session. Judge homered off one fastball but was later struck out by a 102.6 mph pitch, impressing him with the 22-year-old's velocity and mound presence. The session highlighted the team's preparations for the 2026 season amid recent offseason moves.
TAMPA, Fla. – Carlos Lagrange, the Yankees' No. 2 overall prospect, took the mound for a three-inning live batting practice at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Monday, unaware he would face reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge. The 22-year-old right-hander's initial reaction was, “Damn, it’s Aaron Judge,” before delivering his high-octane arsenal.
In their first matchup, Judge fouled off a pitch and then barreled a 99.3 mph fastball over the left-field wall. Lagrange smiled and said, “It went far.” Facing a group that included Giancarlo Stanton, Cody Bellinger, and Trent Grisham next, Lagrange returned to strike out Judge with a 102.6 mph fastball, set up by a sweeper that dove into the dirt. Judge noted, “You can look up at the radar and see a 103 mile-an-hour fastball he threw by me. But I think it’s also just the presence he has on the mound. He’s a kid that we sent up some nasty lineups against us today, and he didn’t care. He wanted to be out there, and he came right after us.”
Their third encounter saw Lagrange shake off catcher J.C. Escarra to challenge with heat again; Judge hit a deep fly to left-center that fell near the warning track. Lagrange reflected, “I just want to keep working on those things.” Manager Aaron Boone described the moment as adding “some drama” and praised Lagrange's composure in his first big league camp.
Judge, gearing up as Team USA captain for the World Baseball Classic starting February 28, expressed excitement over Lagrange's stuff and demeanor: “That’s what you need if you’re going to play in the Bronx. You’ve got to have that demeanor... He’s going to be a special player for us.” This workout comes after a slow offseason start that frustrated Judge, who pushed for key moves like re-signing Bellinger to a five-year, $162.5 million deal, plus returns of Grisham and Paul Goldschmidt following the team's 94-win 2025 season. Judge also eyes more stolen bases in 2026, saying, “Baserunning's on my mind this year a lot,” to leverage the lineup's potency. His elbow, strained last July, now feels “great,” allowing full right-field play in the WBC.