New York Yankees’ Top Prospect Struck Out Aaron Judge On a 102.6 MPH Fastball

The New York Yankees have a strong farm system entering the 2026 season, headlined by two high-end pitching prospects. The one who made waves was Carlos Lagrange. He turned heads, striking out Aaron Judge on a fastball that clocked in at 102.6 miles per hour.

Lagrange stands tall at six feet seven inches, and he ranks as the second-best prospect in the Yankees’ farm system, according to MLB Pipeline. In 16 starts in Double-A last year, he pitched to a 3.22 ERA and struck out 104 batters. While he struggled with command, his talent is truly undeniable.

Carlos Lagrange Has Shined

He may have flown under the radar in the minor leagues, but many are learning his name. A clip from Chris Kirschner, who covers the team for The Athletic, went viral on social media. Lagrange faced the top of New York’s lineup in a live bullpen, but got the last laugh against Aaron Judge.

The captain took Lagrange deep earlier in the day, smoking a 99 MPH fastball to left field in beautiful fashion. A few minutes later, the two mammoths went at it once again. He got the best of Judge, painting the corner for a swinging strike three. When the camera panned to the scoreboard, it read the pitch at 102.6 miles per hour, which is absolutely insane in February.

Usually, guys tend to take things easy at the beginning of Spring Training, but Lagrange is hitting 100 with ease, which is a rare sight. His throwing motion is extremely smooth, and the Yankees have an elite talent that can make a huge impact at the major league level sometime soon.

Where Will He Begin the Season

It’s still hard to figure out how the New York Yankees plan to use Lagrange. He would be an awesome starting pitcher, but durability is there; command issues could change things. If Brian Cashman wants to fast-track him to the majors, he could turn Lagrange into a reliever, similar to what the team did years ago with Dellin Betances in 2013.

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 opted to convert him into a full-time reliever, and from 2014 to 2017, Betances was an All-Star. Lagrange has a similar frame and high velocity fastball like him, so the Yankees could make the same decision they made 13 years ago.

As a closer, he only needs two above-average pitches to succeed, which he already has in his fastball and slider. With these two already set in stone, he wouldn’t need to focus on improving the command of his cutter and changeup. With a lot of the rotation signed to long-term contracts, it would make Lagrange’s path to the majors easier. 

Yankees Farm System Is Stacked

Outside of Lagrange, the biggest name to get off to a nice start has been Elmer Rodriguez. New York acquired him from the Boston Red Sox in the 2024 offseason for Carlos Narvaez. He is ranked as the third-best prospect in the organization and was one of the best pitchers in the minor leagues last year. In 25 starts combined in the minors, he pitched to a 2.45 ERA and dominated opposing lineups with his four-pitch mix. 

George Lombard, Dax Kilby, and Spencer Jones are the other intriguing names at the top of the farm system. Lombard has an outstanding glove on the left side of the infield, but struggled to put things together at the plate after being promoted to Double-A. Kilby is one whom I expect to rise quickly. He’s not great defensively, but his plate discipline and ability to get on base are absurd. 

Jones is back in the same position as last season. There is no open spot on the major league roster, so he’ll stay down in Triple-A. Cashman has a ton of young talent to use in a big trade if the right player becomes available. With the roster as balanced as it will be for a long time, the New York Yankees.