Carlos Lagrange was a brief flash of hope in a Spring Training filled with bad news about the New York Yankees’ pitching. The towering 6-foot-7 right-handed Yankees prospect gave fans something they could dream about in the future..

The 21-year-old Dominican native, ranked as the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, showcased his electric arm by consistently hitting triple digits on the radar gun. ​

Top prospect Spencer Jones went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored. George Lombard, Jr. went 1-for-4 and the Yankees’ prospects lost to the Orioles 5-4 Saturday night.

Signed for just $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022, Lagrange has been steadily climbing the Yankees’ prospect rankings. Despite missing significant time last season due to back inflammation, he made notable strides in the Arizona Fall League, refining his mechanics and control. ​

In his four-inning outing against the Baltimore Orioles prospects, Lagrange allowed two runs (one earned) and two hits, including an inside-the-park home run by Vance Honeycutt in the fourth inning. After initial jitters, which led to a leadoff single and a throwing error, he impressively retired 11 consecutive batters, recording two strikeouts without issuing a walk.​

Reflecting on his performance, Lagrange expressed gratitude for the opportunity, stating through an interpreter, “It meant a lot. It was an opportunity to prove to myself and to everybody else that I’m a good pitcher and that I can throw strikes.” ​

With a career spanning 32 minor league games, Lagrange has amassed 133 strikeouts over 95 2/3 innings, highlighting his potential as a future asset for the Yankees’ pitching staff. ​However, he has only reached Class-A Tampa and is still a ways away from helping the big league club.

Still, it’s some much-needed hope for a Yankees fan base that has lost ace Gerrit Cole for the season to Tommy John surgery and 2024 American League Rookie of the Year Luis Gil for at least three months with a strained lat.