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One of the New York Yankees' top prospects is turning heads in spring training, including ace Gerrit Cole.
Cole missed the entire 2025 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery and is set to miss the beginning of this season, but is actively throwing and making good progress in his return to the mound. New York's ace isn't the only hurler set to miss time early in the season, as Carlos Rodón will also be unavailable to open the season.
The Yankees could boast one of the best starting rotations later in the season when their key starters return, but their absence has opened the door for one of the team's most intriguing prospects, fireballer Carlos Lagrange.
Lagrange, 22, is the Yankees' No. 2 prospect and ranks No. 79 on the MLB's Top 100 Prospects list. The right-handed hurler has been drawing a lot of attention after a strong start to spring training, leaving Cole "blown away," MLB.com's Bryan Hoch shared in a post to X on Friday.
Lagrange has been dominant through two appearances in spring training, posting a 1.59 ERA while striking out six batters in 5 2/3 innings pitched. The 6-foot-7 hurler has been impressive and boasts a fastball that averages triple-digit velocity. Lagrange is a strikeout machine who struck out 168 batters in 120 innings in the minor leagues last season.
Though Lagrange may not open the season in the big leagues with the Yankees, he already is drawing praise from some of the Yankees' top stars and is making a strong case to earn himself a role with the squad at some point this year. Keep an eye on the top prospect potentially making an appearance out of the bullpen for New York this season.
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