Yankees Young Hurlers Are Opening Eyes in Spring Training

The New York Yankees’ silent offseason left many scratching their heads. This included MVP Aaron Judge, who openly questioned the lack of big moves. However, what if the real answer to the Yankees’ World Series hopes isn’t a blockbuster signing, but a wave of young fireballers waiting in the wings? As spring arrives, all eyes are on the team’s emerging pitchers, who just might hold the key to unlocking the success and attitude that the Yankees have been missing.

Not since 2007, when Phil Hughes, Joba Chamberlain, and Ian Kennedy emerged as a trio of can’t-miss arms, have the Yankees boasted such a promising collection of pitching prospects. The early returns from this spring training have already turned heads, with batting practice faceoffs between young pitchers and established hitters hinting at an exciting future. Out of the 39 pitchers in camp, three have especially served notice: Ryan Weathers, Elmer Rodriguez, and Carlos Lagrange. Much like that 2007 group, this current crop is making it clear that, for the Yankees, the future on the mound might just be now.

Ryan Weathers is the first of three young Yankee fireballers making waves this spring, and he brings more than just heat. Acquired from the Florida Marlins, Weathers is viewed as the ideal placeholder in the rotation until Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón return to full strength. The son of former Yankees World Series champion David Weathers, Ryan features a fastball that regularly touches 96–97 mph, a hard-biting slider, and a curveball that has become a legitimate weapon thanks to offseason tips from Max Fried. In 2025 with the Marlins, Weathers posted a 3.89 ERA over 118 innings, striking out 112 and walking 39, while holding hitters to a .244 average. His ability to run his fastball up in the zone and pair it with a sharper, more deceptive curve has already turned heads in Yankees camp, his velocity and movement making him almost untrackable in early batting practice duels. If Weathers can stay healthy, he’ll not only bridge the gap to a healthy rotation but could also emerge as a key bullpen weapon down the stretch.

The young prospect the Yankees are especially high on is Elmer Rodriguez, who will soon be showcasing his talent on an even bigger stage as a member of Puerto Rico's World Baseball Classic roster. His selection for the Classic is a testament to just how far his game has come over the past year. The early returns in camp saw Rodriguez give the Yankees a preview of what international competition they will have to contend with. During a much-anticipated live batting practice session, he faced off against Ben Rice, one of the team’s most promising young hitters. Rodriguez wasted no time, striking out Rice on just three pitches: he spotted a lively fastball for strike one, then followed with a devastating changeup/split that dipped out of the zone for strike two, and finished Rice off with another heater that blew past him. The combination of his rising velocity, improved command, and ability to mix pitches has Yankees coaches excited that Rodriguez could be on the verge of a breakout, both in the Classic and, eventually, in the Bronx.

The highly anticipated duel between Yankees captain Aaron Judge and top prospect Carlos Lagrange turned heads and is running heavily on social media for good reason. It revealed just how special Lagrange could be. Originally from the Dominican Republic, Lagrange first caught the organization’s attention last summer in the minors when he struck out the side on nine pitches during a crucial Somerset Patriots game, flashing his rare mix of velocity and composure. In camp, he faced his biggest test yet. In their first at-bat, Judge showcased his MVP power by sending a 99 mph fastball over the fence. But instead of wilting, Lagrange responded with poise and fire. In their next faceoff, the 22-year-old dialed up the heat and struck out Judge with a 102.6 mph fastball perfectly placed on the inside corner.

Lagrange’s arsenal is as impressive as his poise. He possesses a blazing fastball that regularly touches triple digits with a sharp slider, an improving changeup, and a late-breaking cutter, all delivered from his imposing 6-foot-7 frame. This back-and-forth didn’t just highlight Lagrange’s electric stuff. It showcased his ability to adjust and compete against the very best. Judge himself praised Lagrange’s mound presence and fearlessness, and it’s clear the Yankees are now eyeing him as a potential late-inning bullpen weapon, eager to harness his power arm in high-leverage situations this upcoming season.

While it’s true that hitters are often slow to find their rhythm early in spring, the confidence and advanced skill set of the Yankees’ young hurlers is impossible to ignore. Rodriguez, Weathers, and Lagrange aren’t just taking advantage of early-spring timing; they’re demonstrating real command, poise, and a willingness to trust their full arsenals. Their bulldog mentality and mature approach are already setting them apart. No matter how the bats may lag behind in March, these arms are making a statement: they belong, and they’re ready to change the conversation about the Yankees’ pitching staff this season. If the organization is wise enough to harness this emerging talent, it could be the spark that propels the team back to the World Series.