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Yankees Phenom Carlos Lagrange Fans Aaron Judge at 102.6 MPH, Intensifying Role Decision

Team officials are weighing development needs against short‑term pitching depth following the 22-year-old’s standout live batting practice.

Overview

  • In Monday’s live BP, Carlos Lagrange faced Aaron Judge three times, yielding a homer on a 99.3 mph fastball, then striking him out on a 102.6 mph heater before inducing a deep fly in their third matchup.
  • Manager Aaron Boone praised Lagrange’s presence and elite stuff while invoking Dellin Betances as a stylistic comp, and Judge called the prospect “going to be special.”
  • Lagrange, a 6-foot-7 right-hander ranked No. 79 by MLB Pipeline, posted an 11–8 record with a 3.53 ERA and 168 strikeouts in 120 innings across High-A and Double-A in 2025.
  • The Yankees have not set his path, with Brian Cashman noting it is too early to decide whether he breaks in as a reliever or continues starting in the minors, though a 2026 debut is possible.
  • Judge is fully cleared for spring work and is slated to play in four or five of New York’s first nine Grapefruit League games before departing March 1 to captain Team USA in the World Baseball Classic.