According to the YES Network’s Jack Curry, the Yankees are shifting flame-throwing pitching prospect Carlos Lagrange to the bullpen. The 23-year-old had made 11 starts for Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre this season, but will now begin to adjust to pitching in relief.
It’s a clear signal from the Yankees, who will see if Lagrange can help improve their bullpen from within. Lagrange’s numbers as a starter this year are nothing to write home about, a 4.41 ERA in 49 innings with 63 strikeouts against
25 walks, but the young fireballer still profiles as one of the best bets to contribute to the Yankee bullpen down the stretch. That’s thanks to his pure power stuff; Lagrange has been the hardest thrower in the minors this year, dialing things up to 103 mph, to go along with a 60-grade slider.
All that said, while Lagrange’s shift to relief may make it seem that a promotion to the bullpen in the Bronx is imminent, it’s very possible that the Yankees let Lagrange take some time to adapt to his new role. Moving Lagrange to the bullpen now gives the young pitcher ample time to make adjustments, and gives the club time to fully evaluate the state of their roster and farm system before making moves during trade deadline season. That the Yankees are willing to commit him to this role so early shows both foresight, and confidence in Lagrange’s ability to make an impact at the highest level as soon as this summer.
Though there’s still hope that Lagrange could contribute as a starter in the future, he’s most valuable to the Yankees right now as a reliever, and it’s exciting to see that his time in the majors could begin sooner rather than later. Lagrange’s road to the bigs is clear as long as he can keep things on the rails working out of the ‘pen for Scranton.
