SPANISH HARLEM – Spring Training is a time for most fans to focus on the future and part of that is discussing which prospects can make the Major League roster. While fans will dream of the day that George Lombard Jr. mans the shortstop position, most of the news has been about Carlos Lagrange and right fully so. Let’s look at what we know and whether he will be part of the team when the regular season starts.
Positives
Lagrange is a 6-foot 7 starting pitcher that currently stands (pun intended) as the 2nd ranked prospect in the Yankees system. He consistently throws in the high 90’s and has reached 103 mph on a couple of occasions already this preseason. He also adds a wipeout slider, along with a cutter and change-up. He is built to be a starter, but the pitching coach, Matt Blake, has commented on possibly having Carlos make the team as a relief pitcher. As of now, there is no need for him in the starting rotation, so if Aaron Boone and Brian Cashman feel he can contribute right away, reliever will be his only option at being in San Francisco to start the season.
Negatives
Being that tall can and will have many people focusing on this mechanics. Can he repeat his delivery enough to throw strikes consistently? This is a question that many have when you have a pitcher that tall, with him also being known to have control issues in the past. That is not to say he hasn’t improved over the years, yet these are the things you have to think about when adding someone that young and unproven to your roster.
The argument here is that if he is not ready mentally, he could damage the confidence he has gained as the Yankees best pitching prospect. We know the bright lights of New York can bring out the worst in some pitchers, so it may be best to allow him to refine his mechanics and strike throwing in the minors, while continuing to improve his stamina as a starter.
Outlook So Far
No doubt he has a bright future if he can stay healthy but if the Yankees believe he is someone that helps the club this season, there should be nothing stopping him from making the team in the bullpen. They can always convert him back into a starter if needed, so that shouldn’t affect his potential to be a future starting rotation piece. My guess is that he starts the season in the minors but there is still time to change some minds.
That’s it for now, please come back tomorrow for more great content from Jackson Sternberg.
