NEW YORK — The success of Cam Schlittler in 2025 has opened a new chapter in how the Yankees evaluate their pitching depth. What once seemed like a reach has become a blueprint for opportunity.
General manager Brian Cashman recently sparked conversations among Yankees faithful when he referenced a group of “young pups” who are “hungry and thirsty” for their chance to prove themselves.
“And so with the young pups that earned the right to climb up the ladder a little bit more, that are hungry and thirsty to push their way into the mix, with some of the guys that were out of commission on the IL, some of the new additions, whether it’s some of these big young arms that we just acquired. … it’s just going to be a little bit of a different mix, a little different feel,” Cashman said. “They’re obviously pushing their way up the ladder.”
The comments came during discussions about the team’s pitching picture heading into spring training, a landscape complicated by injury concerns and workload management questions.
The Yankees find themselves in familiar territory. Last season, they turned to prospects with limited experience and received pleasant surprises. Now, with established arms nursing various ailments and the bullpen lacking proven depth, another wave of youngsters could crash the party.
Schlittler’s emergence demonstrated that opportunity meets preparation when organizations invest in player development. His trajectory from relative unknown to contributor has created optimism that other prospects might follow similar paths. The Yankees have several candidates positioned to make similar leaps.
Rodriguez leads the charge
Elmer Rodriguez stands closest to the major league door among the Yankees’ pitching prospects. The 22-year-old right-hander dominated across three minor league levels in 2025, starting at High-A Hudson Valley before earning promotions to Double-A Somerset and eventually Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for his final start.
Rodriguez posted a 2.58 ERA across 150 innings while striking out 29% of batters faced. His performance forced evaluators to accelerate their timelines for his development.
“Elmer’s got a large pitch package and can work his way around that arsenal early in games and then kind of refine it as he gets deeper into games and have a little more of a targeted plan,” pitching coach Matt Blake said earlier this offseason.
The Puerto Rican hurler brings versatility that appeals to modern pitching philosophies. He can mix pitches early to keep hitters off-balance, then narrow his arsenal as games progress. The Yankees value that adaptability, though they prefer he continues developing as a starter in the minors.
His participation in the World Baseball Classic depends on Puerto Rico using him in rotation work. That commitment to stretching him out reflects organizational priorities. However, injuries to Gerrit Cole, Carlos Rodon or Clarke Schmidt could alter those plans quickly.
Lagrange brings power potential
Carlos Lagrange presents a different profile. The 6-foot-7, 248-pound right-hander split time between High-A and Double-A in 2025, actually performing better at the higher level with a 3.22 ERA over 78.1 innings.
His overall numbers impressed. Lagrange finished with a 3.53 ERA and struck out 33.4% of batters across 120 frames. The raw stuff jumps off scouting reports.
Armed with a fastball that touches 103 mph, Lagrange can overpower hitters when he locates properly. The Yankees clocked him above 100 mph regularly throughout 2025. That velocity plays anywhere, though command inconsistencies suggest a potential bullpen future.
“Those guys are on our radar,” Blake said of Lagrange and Rodriguez. “I feel like those guys are probably a little bit further ahead than Cam was at this point last year, so you definitely can’t rule out that those guys could help us.”
Blake’s comparison to Schlittler carries weight. If both prospects have surpassed where Schlittler stood a year ago, their MLB debuts could arrive sooner than anticipated. The Yankees’ bullpen needs might accelerate Lagrange’s timeline particularly.
Cashman specifically mentioned both prospects when discussing options to address pitching depth. The general manager said young arms have “earned the right to climb up the ladder a little bit more” and are ready to “push their way into the mix.”
New additions expand the pool
The Yankees added 23-year-old Angel Chivilli from Colorado in a recent trade. His 7.06 ERA last season raises questions, but the organization looks past surface statistics.
“He’s a 23-year-old power arm that’s got a tool package that’s pretty exciting,” Cashman said. “He’s got some flexibility because there’s an option remaining in his profile.”
Chivilli averaged 97.1 mph with his fastball in 2025. His slider earned a Stuff+ grade of 110, while his changeup generated a 42.6% whiff rate. He also produced ground balls on nearly half of batted balls. The Yankees believe their pitching program can unlock consistent performance.
Cade Winquest presents a different challenge as a Rule 5 Draft selection. The 25-year-old must stick on the 26-man roster all season or face waivers. The Yankees’ interest dates to his college days, when they nearly drafted him in 2022.
“I’m ready to get to work,” Winquest said earlier this offseason. “This is a huge opportunity. I’m going to take advantage of it.”
Winquest throws hard and features a sharp 12-6 curveball. Blake has discussed adding a sinker to his repertoire, expanding his arsenal for different situations.
Hess waits in the wings
While Cashman didn’t mention Ben Hess specifically, Blake included the 2024 first-round pick among prospects ahead of where Schlittler was last winter. The Alabama product posted a 2.70 ERA over seven Double-A starts late in 2025 after dominating High-A.
Hess totaled a 3.22 ERA and 33% strikeout rate across 103.1 innings last season. His development path mirrors Rodriguez and Lagrange, though he trails in experience with just 36.2 Double-A innings logged.
“All three of those guys have taken some nice steps in their development,” Blake told YES Network. “They’re already in Tampa. They’re starting to ramp up, so we’re getting our eyes on them down there.”
The Yankees roster more than five capable starters but face health and workload questions that could create openings. Cashman acknowledged the situation remains fluid.
“I think it’s a work in progress with a lot of quality choices,” Cashman said about the bullpen specifically. “Some might be emerging, talented players from our system. Some might be more imports. I’d just say, ‘stay tuned.'”
Spring training will determine which young pups climb highest on the ladder. The Yankees have options. They also have needs. Sometimes timing makes careers.
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