Yankees’ next wave of top pitching prospects features ‘monster,’

The upcoming group of top pitching prospects for the Yankees includes a standout with a blazing 101 mph fastball and the organization’s most impressive changeup

Despite trading numerous top-notch pitching prospects in recent years, the Yankees are heading into the 2024 season with an abundance of promising arms in the upper tiers of their farm system. Pitchers like Will Warren and Clayton Beeter are set to debut in the MLB this season, adding depth to the major league squad. Chase Hampton, the top pitching prospect in the organization according to MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, is close behind.

Brett DeGagne, the pitching coach for Double-A Somerset and a seasoned member of the Yankees’ pitching staff, believes that the team’s success in identifying, selecting, and acquiring talented pitchers ensures a continual supply of prospects with potential to thrive in the big leagues.

DeGagne emphasized the Yankees’ strategy of enhancing players’ existing strengths rather than trying to overhaul their entire approach, illustrating their commitment to maximizing each pitcher’s abilities to excel in New York and contribute to the team’s pursuit of a World Series title.

While pitchers like Warren and Hampton quickly transitioned to affiliated baseball after being drafted by the Yankees, some promising prospects require more time to develop, starting their journey in the Florida Complex League.

Over the past two seasons, DeGagne served as the pitching coach for the Yankees’ FCL team, guiding a talented group of prospects, many of whom were younger than 21. In 2023, this pitching staff led the FCL in strikeouts with 587 and ranked fourth in ERA at 4.47. During a phone interview with NJ Advance Media, DeGagne highlighted six pitchers who excelled in the FCL last season and are now poised to advance to Class-A Tampa, High-A Hudson Valley, and beyond in the upcoming season. A National League scout familiar with the Yankees’ farm system praised these pitchers, describing them as part of “probably the best complex team he’s ever seen.”

Henry Lalane, Left-Handed Pitcher

Age: 19

Height: 6’7″

Weight: 211 lbs

Acquisition: Signed internationally from the Dominican Republic in 2021

Yankees prospect rankings: Ranked No. 7 by Baseball America; Ranked No. 12 by MLB Pipeline

Performance in 2023 FCL Season: 1 win, 0 losses, 4.57 ERA, 8 games played, 21 2/3 innings pitched, 34 strikeouts, 17 hits allowed, 4 walks, 3 home runs given up

DeGagne’s assessment: “His father had a career in professional basketball, and despite his exceptional height of 6-foot-7, Henry is a remarkable athlete. He demonstrates impressive body control and delivery precision, surpassing some pitchers of shorter stature. His potential is outstanding considering his age of just 19 and a half years!”

 

Few young pitchers draw as much praise from scouts as Yankees LHP Henry Lalane 👀

He's a candidate to make the Top 100 by 2025.

Here's why: https://t.co/hb47lJ43Ku pic.twitter.com/y0P06RYWnA

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) January 29, 2024

Scout’s assessment: “Lalane exhibits exceptional body control, showcasing a fastball that reaches speeds of up to 95 mph, typically sitting at 92 mph, with further potential for increased velocity as he matures and becomes stronger. Currently, his standout qualities include his impressive command, especially considering his youth and stature, as well as his consistent delivery.

He also possesses secondary pitches in the form of a slider and changeup, both showing potential ranging from average to above-average. Of these, the changeup stands out as having the greatest likelihood of becoming a formidable pitch. Lalane’s profile is promising; he could potentially become a significant presence in a team’s rotation. His trajectory towards becoming a mid-rotation starter will largely depend on enhancements in his fastball speed and the refinement of his secondary pitches.”

Carlos Lagrange, Right-Handed Pitcher

Age: 20

Height: 6 feet 7 inches, Weight: 195 pounds

Acquisition: Joined as an international signing from the Dominican Republic in 2022

Rankings in Yankees’ prospect lists: Rank 13 in Baseball America; Rank 25 in MLB Pipeline

Performance in 2023 with FCL: Record of 0 wins and 0 losses, Earned Run Average (ERA) of 4.97, participated in 12 games, pitched 41 2/3 innings, struck out 63 batters, allowed 34 hits, issued 24 walks, and conceded 4 home runs

Evaluation by DeGagne: “Carlos possesses a unique pitching talent that is not frequently encountered. This past year, he was able to reach speeds of up to 101 mph. Our discussions with Carlos focus on his journey towards reaching the major leagues with the New York Yankees. We explore what steps he needs to take to achieve this goal. While he already demonstrates impressive velocity, we are considering areas where we can support him further.

This could involve improving his breaking ball or changeup, enhancing pitch accuracy, refining his ability to maintain control and throw strikes consistently, and building his physical strength in the gym to ensure long-term durability for the demands of a lengthy MLB career, including pitching in over 30 games per season. Our approach is always aimed at nurturing his potential for the future. Unlike some other players who may face different developmental challenges, Carlos has reached a point with his exceptional velocity where he can now concentrate on refining other aspects of his game to progress through our development system successfully.”

Scout’s assessment: “Lagrange is an impressive physical presence with impressive abilities, particularly a fastball that can reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour. While his precision and mastery over his pitches may not be as polished as Lalane’s, Lagrange has displayed advancement in this aspect. His primary secondary pitch is a potent slider that is likely to develop into an exceptional asset. While there is a possibility that he may transition into a relief role, possibly as a top-tier reliever, I believe he should be given ample opportunities to start. In my opinion, with enhancements in his command and control, Lagrange has the potential to become a formidable starting pitcher, potentially fitting in at the back of the rotation. I admire the talent and potential evident in his pitching abilities.”

Luis Serna, Right-Handed Pitcher

Age: 19

Height: 5-11, Weight: 162

Origin: Signed internationally from Mexico in 2021

Yankees prospect rankings: Not ranked in 2024 … Ranked as the Yankees’ 12th prospect by Baseball America in 2023

Statistics for 2023 in the FCL: Record of 0-1, ERA of 4.19, 8 Games, 19 1/3 Innings Pitched, 23 Strikeouts, 17 Hits, 8 Walks, 2 Home Runs Allowed

DeGagne’s perspective: Serna has spent two years in the Complex League, honing three pitches that are nearing readiness for the big leagues. Particularly noteworthy is his changeup, regarded as perhaps the finest in the organization. This pitch stands out for its elite swing-and-miss capabilities and overall quality. It serves as his primary weapon. While he may not be receiving widespread recognition yet since he hasn’t moved beyond the FCL, within our circles, which include opposing coaches and scouts, he has made a strong impression. Serna remains a highly regarded prospect to us, and we are eagerly anticipating his upcoming progression.

Scout’s viewpoint: I held a higher opinion of Serna the year before last; unfortunately, he did not show the desired advancement this past season, partly due to injuries resulting in significant missed playing time. His changeup stands out as a top-tier pitch, at times displaying potential well above average. It could indeed be the best within the system. However, his performance in 2023 was not as sharp as in the preceding year. Serna needs to focus on building strength and adding mass as he is currently undersized. His fastball typically registers at an average velocity, with average command projections. He also utilizes a slider and curveball, but they are considered less impressive than his changeup. While I still hold a positive view of him and believe he has the potential to be a reliable depth or backend starting pitcher, he must demonstrate durability and physical development to reach his full potential.

Luis Serna strikes out Giancarlo Stanton pic.twitter.com/QnNFsaW3YM

— Chris Kirschner (@ChrisKirschner) February 23, 2024

Allen Facundo, Left-Handed Pitcher

Age: 21

Height: 6-0, Weight: 171

Origin: Signed internationally from Venezuela in 2021

Yankees prospect rankings: Not ranked

Statistics for 2023 in the FCL: Record of 5-0, ERA of 2.37, 11 Games, 30 1/3 Innings Pitched, 40 Strikeouts, 20 Hits, 13 Walks, 0 Home Runs Allowed

DeGagne’s perspective: “He’s an extremely promising left-handed starting pitcher. Despite facing some injuries in 2022 that sidelined him for most of the season, he delivered a standout performance last year and played a pivotal role for our FCL team. I have high hopes for his future. His slider has been particularly impressive, inducing a swing-and-miss rate of 55 to 60 percent over the past two years.”

Scout’s viewpoint: “Facundo possesses athleticism and features a standout slider that can be dominant on his best days. He has the potential to be highly effective, especially as a lefty specialist, showcasing the ability to become a reliable middle reliever if he can enhance his velocity (currently ranging from 89-94 mph, averaging 92), refine his command, and develop a third pitch.”

Jackson Fristoe, Right-Handed Pitcher

Age: 22

Height: 6-4, Weight: 210

Drafted: Selected in the 12th round (370th overall) from Mississippi State in the 2022 MLB Draft

Yankees prospect rankings: Not ranked

Combined 2023 statistics in FCL & Class-A Tampa: Record of 1-4, ERA of 4.91, 13 Games, 36 2/3 Innings Pitched, 45 Strikeouts, 25 Hits, 28 Walks, 3 Home Runs Allowed

DeGagne highlighted Fristoe as the standout among the pitchers who dedicated a significant portion of the offseason training at the Yankees’ player development complex. Despite being relatively unknown, Fristoe, the 12th-round pick from Mississippi State in 2022, showed significant improvement towards the end of the 2023 season. His early arrival at camp this year aimed to maintain his progress into 2024.

Scout’s evaluation: “Fristoe is another draft prospect the organization has effectively developed to increase his value. With a fastball reaching above-average speeds of 97 mph and averaging 94 mph, he relies heavily on his secondary pitches. His cutter, a standout offering, is considered a plus pitch and a primary weapon for generating swings and misses. The slider is projected to be average. He’s viewed more as a middle reliever in the bullpen due to areas that need

Jordarlin Mendoza’s impressive FCL debut: 3 IP, 0 R, 0 H, 5 Khttps://t.co/zLVlhXpUvd pic.twitter.com/58vl9DAhWz

— YankeesFarm (@YankeesFarm) June 15, 2023

DeGagne described Mendoza as a formidable talent, noting his impressive fastball that reached 98 mph. Additionally, he highlighted Mendoza’s slider with a spin rate of 3,000, describing it as a significant pitch with a wide movement.

According to the scout, Mendoza is currently viewed as a reliever and has been utilized in that capacity. The scout expressed the desire for Mendoza to receive opportunities as a starter to aid in his progression. Mendoza is recognized for his exceptional athleticism and promising potential, with already established pitching tools. He possesses a powerful fastball ranging from the mid to upper 90s. However, his command is currently below the necessary level for his development, requiring significant improvement to fulfill his long-term potential. Notably, his above-average slider stands out as his key weapon, capable of being highly effective when he finds his rhythm. Depending on his command progression, Mendoza could evolve into a valuable mid-to-high leverage reliever.