Do the New York Yankees Have Their Next Dellin Betances In the Farm System?

The New York Yankees’ farm system took a huge step forward last season, and could have the next Dellin Betances waiting in the wings. With many top pitching prospects, the club could move one of their flame-throwers to the bullpen and convert him into a high-end receiver, similar to what they did with Betances over a decade ago.

Yankees Have a Secret Weapon

The New York Yankees have a dominating force in 22-year-old Starting Pitcher Carlos Lagrange. Standing tall at six feet seven inches, Lagrange ranks as the second-best prospect in the Yankees’ farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. His fastball sits in the high 90s and can reach up to 102 MPH.

His secondary pitch is a wicked slider, followed by a cutter and a changeup. Lagrange has an extremely high ceiling, but his command issues have set him back as a starter in the minor leagues.

A similar story happened in the Bronx in 2013 with Betances. He was a starter for the Yankees in 2011 and 2012. However, he struggled mightily with command. The Yankees gave him ample time to grow and develop as a starter, but ultimately pulled the plug. They converted him into a full-time reliever. From 2014 to 2017, Betances was an All-Star. This run truly showed how dominant his arsenal was.

Lagrange is in a similar situation to Betances. The Yankees can convert Lagrange into a reliever if he does not improve as a starter this season.

Should They Make Lagrange a Relief Pitcher?

While Lagrange has shown flashes as a high-end starter, the Yankees could fast-track him as a reliever and secure a young, controllable arm for years. In a league where velocity is key, Lagrange fits perfectly in the back end of New York’s bullpen. As a closer, he only needs above-average pitches to succeed, and wouldn’t need to focus on improving the command of his cutter and changeup. With the Yankees expected to add to their rotation, Lagrange’s path to MLB gets tougher. 

Given that he’s only 22, my main recommendation is for the Yankees to give him another full year as a starter to see where he ends up. He did show improvement, jumping up from high-A to Double-A. In Double-A, which features the best minor league talent and can challenge many prospects, Lagrange continued to progress. 

In 15 starts, he posted a 3.22 ERA and 1.29 WHIP, striking out 104 in 78.1 innings. Depending on his Spring Training performance, Lagrange could start the 2026 season in Triple-A with the Rail Riders, putting him closer to his major league debut.