Prospect Carlos Lagrange has drawn praise from Gerrit Cole during New York Yankees spring training in Tampa, Florida, for his triple-digit fastballs. The 22-year-old right-hander threw multiple pitches over 100 mph in live batting practice, leaving the former Cy Young winner astonished. Lagrange's performance has sparked discussions about his potential big-league impact this season.
In Tampa, Florida, at George M. Steinbrenner Field, Yankees pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange showcased his elite velocity during a live batting practice session on Friday afternoon. The session preceded New York's 3-0 victory over the Rays, with Lagrange throwing three innings and Cole tossing two. As the Yankees' top-ranked pitching prospect per MLB Pipeline, the 22-year-old repeatedly exceeded 100 mph, including a 102 mph fastball that overpowered hitters.
Gerrit Cole, recovering from Tommy John surgery and touching 97 mph himself, was particularly impressed. 'It’s like, silly. I’ve never seen anything like it,' Cole said. 'It’s wild. I’m just blown away by the velocity every time.' He noted that Lagrange throws 101 mph effortlessly, something Cole has done fewer than 10 times in his career, even in low-pressure settings with an empty field and only about 50 spectators present.
Lagrange, grinning upon hearing Cole's comments, responded, 'If he thinks that about me, it’s really good.' Earlier against the Twins, he struck out Zack Short with a sequence of an up-and-in fastball over 100 mph followed by a low-and-away sweeper. Teammate Jasson Domínguez, facing Lagrange for the first time, described the at-bats as 'nasty,' citing the pitch movement, mechanics, and a slide-step delivery. 'I got frozen with a sweeper, back-door. It’s tough to pull the trigger. Then it’s 102 [mph] -- it’s disgusting,' Domínguez said.
Manager Aaron Boone has compared Lagrange to a young Dellin Betances, and Domínguez believes he could contribute at the major league level soon. 'I think he can be a great pitcher for us,' Domínguez added. 'He definitely can help the team. He’s still young, but I think he’s got great stuff.'
Lagrange recalled his first 100 mph pitch at age 20 in the Florida Complex League, bringing adrenaline and confidence. He emphasized the effort required: 'I get it; it might look easy. But the reality is, it’s not easy. You need consistency with your mechanics, with your aggressiveness, with your mind, too.' General manager Brian Cashman described the camp as an 'Ivy League education' for Lagrange. The prospect has already discussed pitching with Cole, Max Fried, and Ryan Weathers, potentially accelerating his path to the Bronx.
