This story was excerpted from Bryan Hoch’s Yankees Beat publication. To learn the complete publication, click on right here. And subscribe to get it usually in your inbox.
The Yankees have shifted into offseason mode, with front-office conferences underway and roster choices forward.
As Brian Cashman stated throughout his end-of-season press convention, the group plans to “measure some alternatives for younger gamers who’re knocking on the door from down beneath.”
From his seat because the membership’s longtime common supervisor, Cashman sees a farm system that has quietly restocked, with a number of prospects seemingly poised to take the following step. Because the Yankees reload for an additional run, listed below are 4 names value figuring out for 2026 — every representing a special sort of promise.
That’s a reminiscence Schlittler will carry eternally, however his story is simply starting. The 6-foot-6 fireballer appeared to belong virtually instantly, incomes his promotion to the Majors in July and pitching to a 4-3 report and a 2.96 ERA in 14 begins down the stretch.
“The massive factor is at all times being assured,” Schlittler stated. “That’s been necessary to me the final two years. Simply with the ability to see the outcomes and getting confidence from guys on this room as nicely — it makes it simpler to go on the market and simply do my job.”
Drafted within the seventh spherical out of Northeastern in 2022, Schlittler started ’25 with 10 video games (9 begins) for Double-A Somerset, then made 5 begins with Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre. Yankees supervisor Aaron Boone has already known as Schlittler “a future staple of our rotation.”
Because the Yankees celebrated their Wild Card victory over Boston, Gerrit Cole gushed about Schlittler: “This man has come up and delivered straight away. He’s bought it. I don’t know precisely what it’s; it’s exhausting to outline it. However he’s bought it.”
Spencer Jones, OFWhen Jones connects, baseballs are inclined to disappear. The 6-foot-7 outfielder has lengthy been recognized for his prodigious energy, and in 2025, he lastly began to faucet into it persistently.
Jones nonetheless strikes out a lot (179 instances in 438 at-bats), and a few scouts now venture him extra as a nook outfielder than a real middle fielder. However he’s added energy with out sacrificing velocity, and his mixture of instruments stays uncommon. Although a crowded outfield blocked his path to the Majors in 2025, the group insists his time is coming.
“He’s put himself within the dialog,” Cashman stated. “I feel the way it performs out depends upon how our winter performs out. He’ll definitely come to Spring Coaching, and he’s earned a glance within the competitors. … He’s put himself within the place to be thought of a possible on a regular basis Main Leaguer in 2026.”
Carlos Lagrange, RHPAsked this spring how he’d describe himself to followers who haven’t seen him pitch, Lagrange smiled. “I wouldn’t wish to describe myself,” he stated by means of an interpreter. “I would really like for them to look at me pitch and have their very own opinion.”
Truthful sufficient, and that chance may very well be coming quickly within the Bronx for the group’s No. 2 prospect (No. 74 total).
Few pitchers within the system flip heads like Lagrange, a 6-foot-7 right-hander who pushes his fastball as much as 102 mph with carry and armside run. He opened eyes when he touched triple digits on the stadium radar throughout the Yankees’ Spring Breakout sport, and the excitement hasn’t stopped since.
Splitting his season between Excessive-A Hudson Valley and Double-A Somerset, Lagrange struck out 168 batters in 120 innings, going 11-8 with a 3.53 ERA in 24 video games (23 begins). Scouts rave concerning the uncooked stuff and physicality, evaluating his body to a younger Dellin Betances.
Can Lagrange repeat his supply and harness the strike zone sufficient to begin? Or does he turn into an influence reliever who shortens video games? Both manner, Lagrange has vaulted himself into the Yankees’ near-term plans.
The 22-year-old was named Baseball America’s Yankees Minor League Participant of the Yr after dominating throughout a number of ranges in 2025, placing out 176 batters in 150 innings, with an 11-8 report and a 2.58 ERA in 27 video games (26 begins). He is the Yankees’ No. 3 prospect and No. 97 in baseball.
Solely the Mets’ Jonah Tong (179) recorded extra strikeouts within the Minors than Rodriguez-Cruz, who completed the season at Triple-A, the place he pitched as soon as. Although MLB Pipeline lists his ETA as 2027, Rodriguez-Cruz’s trajectory would possibly outpace that projection.
An aggressive strike-thrower with a reside arm, Rodriguez-Cruz has already displayed polish to go along with his promise. After surpassing his said objective of getting previous the 100-inning mark, it’s not far-fetched to think about the Yankees giving him a great look this coming spring.
