Yankees’ 2026 Outlook: Cam Schlittler’s Changeup, Carlos Lagrange’s Heat, and a Pivotal Spring for Austin Wells
As the Yankees gear up for the 2026 season, the conversation around their pitching staff isn’t just about the health of Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón - it’s about who steps up in their absence. Enter Cam Schlittler.
The 25-year-old right-hander showed flashes of big-league readiness last season, but now he’s being asked to do a whole lot more: hold down the No. 2 spot in the rotation behind Max Fried. That’s a massive leap for a pitcher with less than 100 innings of MLB experience.
But here’s the thing - the Yankees believe Schlittler is ready. And it starts with his fastball.
We’re talking about a 98-mph heater that hitters struggled to even touch last year. It’s a pitch that gives him a high floor, the kind of velocity that can carry a pitcher through rough spots.
But the Yankees know that to thrive as a starter, especially in the AL East, you need more than just gas. That’s where the changeup comes in.
Pitching coach Matt Blake has made it a point this spring to help Schlittler develop a reliable off-speed weapon. The goal?
Give him something to neutralize left-handed hitters and keep pitch counts in check. If that changeup clicks - even just a little - Schlittler could go from a temporary rotation patch to a long-term piece of the Yankees’ future.
Manager Aaron Boone has already locked him into the rotation, signaling just how much faith the organization has in his durability and upside. And with the spotlight firmly on him this spring, Schlittler has a real chance to prove he’s more than just a stopgap - he could be the next mainstay in the Bronx.
Carlos Lagrange Is Throwing Triple-Digit Heat - Now It’s About Command
While Schlittler gets the headlines, Carlos Lagrange is quietly turning heads behind the scenes. The 22-year-old reliever might not be a household name yet, but his stuff is electric - and the Yankees know it.
Lagrange regularly touches triple digits with his fastball and racks up strikeouts at an elite rate. His time in High-A was dominant, and even when he hit a rough patch after moving up to Double-A, the swing-and-miss stuff never disappeared.
What did show up, though, was a command issue. More advanced hitters weren’t chasing as much, and Lagrange’s walk rate ballooned as a result.
Still, the Yankees aren’t panicking. In fact, they’re optimistic.
They see a pitcher who’s closer to the majors than his numbers might suggest. If he can rein in the walks - and that’s a big “if,” but not an impossible one - Lagrange has the kind of arm that could force his way into the bullpen by midseason. His fastball alone could earn him high-leverage innings in a hurry, especially if the Yankees need reinforcements during the long grind of summer.
He’s raw, no doubt. But the upside?
It’s real. And 2026 could be the year Lagrange makes his case.
Austin Wells Faces a New Reality Behind the Plate
For Austin Wells, the 2026 season brings a challenge that has nothing to do with pitchers or game plans - and everything to do with the rulebook.
With the league’s full adoption of the Automated Ball-Strike System, pitch framing - once Wells’ calling card - is no longer part of the equation. That’s a game-changer for a catcher whose defensive value was built on his ability to steal strikes. Now, with framing off the table, Wells’ glove work looks a lot more average.
That puts the spotlight squarely on his bat. And that’s where things get tricky.
Wells still has legit power, no question. But his plate discipline regressed last season.
He chased more, walked less, and made too much weak contact. Without the ability to consistently get on base, his offensive profile starts to look shaky - especially when paired with a now-neutral defensive skill set.
The Yankees are hoping the power can carry him, but the margin for error has shrunk. This spring is crucial.
If Wells can rediscover his approach at the plate - work deeper counts, draw walks, get back to driving the ball with authority - he can still be the everyday catcher. But if the offensive struggles continue, he could find himself in a reduced role, more of a bat-first option than a true backstop.
In a post-framing world, Wells has to hit. And the clock is ticking.
Bottom Line
The Yankees are entering 2026 with big questions and even bigger opportunities. Cam Schlittler is being handed the keys to a rotation spot, and if his changeup takes shape, he could become a foundational piece.
Carlos Lagrange is lighting up radar guns, and with a little more command, he might be the next bullpen weapon to emerge. And for Austin Wells, it’s all about adapting to a new era - and proving he can still be a difference-maker behind the dish.
Spring training hasn’t even started yet, but the stakes are already clear in the Bronx.