TAMPA – The Yankees wasted no time testing one of their top pitching prospects on Monday, as Carlos Lagrange threw three innings against a live batting practice group that included three MVPs in Aaron Judge, Cody Bellinger and Giancarlo Stanton.
With Lagrange looking to showcase his electric stuff and improve his command this spring, a rather large contingent of front office members took the sight in from the stands at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Brian Cashman, standing behind a screen, watched up close on the field.
They quickly saw Lagrange fire a 99.3-mph fastball… only for Judge to demolish it over the left field wall.
“It was so far,” a smiling Lagrange said of the homer.
But those observing also saw the 22-year-old, who has yet to pitch at Triple-A, respond with poise and some emphatic power of his own, as he fanned Judge with a 102.6-mph heater in their next matchup.
“I know 102 is really hard, but I worked out hard in the offseason,” Lagrange said. “When you do a really good job in the offseason, that’s the result.”
Still, the added zip — and rebound against baseball’s best hitter — elicited oohs and ahhs from the fans in attendance.
“I think there is something to that,” Aaron Boone said of Lagrange’s bounce-back. “That’s a big thing to walk into for a guy that hasn’t been over here, and it didn’t seem like a big thing to him. He was just out there executing.
“It’s fun to watch all that unfold.”
How’s this for a bounce-back: Carlos Lagrange gets revenge on Aaron Judge, striking him out with a 102 mph heater. #Yankees https://t.co/WhQxKEDVTx pic.twitter.com/DWj13i8Qng
— Gary Phillips (@GaryHPhillips) February 16, 2026
Lagrange, meanwhile, said he was simply trying to execute against Judge in both at-bats. Of course, he had to quickly shake off the sensation that came with facing him.
“When I see Aaron Judge in the box, I say, ‘Damn, it’s Aaron Judge,’” he said with a laugh. “But when I throw the first pitch, it’s, ‘Okay, throw in the zone and execute your pitch.”
While Lagrange’s fastball, no stranger to triple-digits, was the star of the show, Boone also thought his changeup and sweeper looked sharp.
Judge, who flew out against Lagrange in their third at-bat, was also impressed with the youngster, declaring, “he’s going to be a special player for us.” The captain also highlighted Lagrange’s presence on the mound.
That made Judge the latest Yankee to note Lagrange’s intangibles, joining a chorus that already included Boone and assistant pitching coach Preston Claiborne, among others.
“We sent up some nasty lineups against him today,” Judge said. “He didn’t care. He wanted to be out there, and he came right after us. That’s what you need if you’re gonna play in the Bronx. If you’re gonna play in New York, you gotta have that demeanor.”
JUDGE’S ARM GOOD TO GO
Judge said his elbow is “good to go” and “feeling great” after a flexor strain restricted his throwing in the second half last season.
At the recommendation of the Yankees’ training staff, he didn’t undergo offseason surgery and started his throwing program on the earlier side in anticipation of playing in the World Baseball Classic. He’s already thrown to bases a few times and has “no worries” about his arm.
Boone previously called Judge a “full go” this spring.
“He’s throwing the ball really well right now,” the manager said.
Boone added that Judge will get more work than usual this time of year because he’ll be joining Team USA for the WBC on March 1. Judge is expected to play in four or five of the Yankees’ first nine exhibition games, and Boone wants him to get up to six innings in a game by the time he leaves Yankees camp.
Judge is expected to play right field for Team USA.
OTHER RECOVERIES
Anthony Volpe, recovering from shoulder surgery, started his hitting progression with dry swings on Monday, Boone said.
The skipper added that he will take some time getting Oswaldo Cabrera, who suffered a season-ending ankle fracture last May, into spring training games.
Finally, Boone mentioned that Ryan McMahon reported to camp under the weather, so he didn’t do any physical activities on Monday. McMahon tested negative for the flu.
