Chase Hampton working his way back
It wasn't long ago that Hampton was the top pitching prospect in the Yankees system and the hype around the right-hander was at an all-time high. Unfortunately, Hampton had a flexor strain in spring training last year and underwent Tommy John surgery. That procedure took out a year of Hampton's career as he was making waves in the minor leagues.
Now, Hampton has returned to spring training looking to show the Yankees that he is on his way back to recapturing the form that made him a top prospect.
Boone was asked about Hampton's progression, and while vague, the Yankees skipper offered some encouraging signs.
"I don’t know his progression, so to speak. I’ve seen a couple of his bullpens now and it keeps ticking up," he said after Saturday's practice. "I know he is chomping at the bit for a little bit more because he is feeling really good as well.
"Sometimes, when you’re a big prospect and you have a surgery that knocks you out, you get off that 'word of mouth' list as prospects are building their value. It’s important to remember how big of a year he had back in ‘24, and there’s still a lot of reason to be excited as he gets closer to being back to full bore. He looks pretty good right now."
In 2024, Hampton made seven starts between Low/High-A and Double-A as he returned from multiple injuries. He did end his year on a high note, allowing just four hits and no runs across 5.2 innings (two starts) and striking out four batters.
When Boone was asked if Hampton could potentially pitch in spring training games, the longtime manager didn't want to "speak out of turn" and put a timeline on the youngster.
Carlos Lagrange's 'bright future'
Usurping Hampton's spot as the Yankees' top pitching prospect is Lagrange. The team's No. 2 prospect -- behind only George Lombard Jr. -- is a non-roster invitee this spring and has already begun impressing Boone.
The Yankees skipper was asked what he thinks when he sees Lagrange pitch, and Boone listed off what the 6-foot-7 righty brings to the table.
"Sometimes, as a hitter, I struggle sometimes when a guy was big and had that downhill tilt," he said. "Freddy Garcia comes to mind from my era. I never liked the angle that he’s able to create. But it’s a big arm, he’s going to walk out there and throw 100 mph and the changeup is really good. It’s a hard changeup, downward action on it. A big guy like that, it’s about repeating the mechanics. I think he does a good job of that already as a young player."
Boone continued talking about Lagrange and made an interesting comp to another big righty who came through the Yankees system.
"Think back to when Dellin [Betances]was at his best…when he was on, you can see some consistently really bad swings against him. I think Carlos has a very bright future."
Lagrange had a solid 2025 between High-A and Double-A. He made 24 appearances (23 starts) and pitched to a 3.53 ERA while striking out 168 batters across 120.0 innings. Those numbers catapulted Lagrange to the top of the Yankees prospects list, and sits at No. 74 in all of baseball, according to MLB Pipeline.
Paul Blackburn being built up as starter... for now
The Yankees' bullpen is one of the few unknowns going into spring training, which means Blackburn's role could be an evolving one in the next couple of months.
The Yankees re-signed Blackburn and Ryan Yarbrough this offseason to fill almost the same role. They both have starting and bullpen experience, and they were both used in those roles in 2025.
Boone was asked if they plan to build Blackburn up as a starter.
"He’ll get built up. We’ll build him and then keep evaluating, middle of spring, middle of March, where we’re out," he said. "Just depending on everything that’s happened, but we’re planning on building him, yes."
A season ago, the Yankees picked up Blackburn in August and used him as the long man in the bullpen. He made eight relief appearances, and after a couple of shaky starts to begin his tenure in the Bronx, Blackburn allowed just two runs in his final seven regular season appearances (12.0 IP).