Ranking Yankees top prospects' likelihood of making impact at 2026 spring training

There will be plenty of prospects on display for the New York Yankees as the action heats up down in Tampa. With that said, for most, this is simply an exercise in getting their feet wet.

While many other teams will be looking to their prospects to break through and win big league jobs, the pathway for most of these Baby Bombers to an Opening Day roster spot is nonexistent.

However, there are some potential scenarios where a select few can force the issue, and for others, making an impact now means gaining the runway to force the issue down the road this season.

How the Yankees' top prospects stack up in terms of making a spring training impact in 2026

6. Chase Hampton

Chase Hampton was the Kevin Lawn Award winner in 2023, earning the award as the Yankees' top minor league pitcher. Unfortunately, his 2024 campaign did not go as planned, and after some struggles, he was shut down and underwent Tommy John surgery. After missing all of 2025, there's some excitement to see him back on the mound, but even with a strong spring showing, his big-league impact will be minimal. Hampton's most important task this year will be proving he's healthy and getting back on the stellar track he was on nearly three years ago.

5. Ben Hess

The Yankees' first-round pick in 2024, Ben Hess turned heads last year in his pro debut, posting a combined 3.22 ERA with two-thirds of his season coming at Hi-A Hudson Valley, and the final third coming at Double-A Somerset. Recently, Matt Blake stoked the hype train by naming Hess as one of the pitching prospects ahead of where Cam Schlittler was at this time last year.

The Alabama product could put himself on the fast track with an impressive performance in Tampa, but unlike Schlittler, he'd have to leapfrog two more experienced hurlers in Elmer Rodriguez and Carlos Langrange in order to make a major league impact in 2026. Possible? Yes. Likely? No.

4. George Lombard Jr.

George Lombard Jr. is one of the best prospects in all of baseball, so when you have a player so highly regarded, the chance to make an impact is always present. However, the 20-year-old struggled once he got to Somerset last season. His approach was solid, and the tools are there, but the production didn't come together for him as the competition bar was raised.

He's not really an Opening Day roster candidate, but if he can put together an insane spring that carries over to Somerset, he could force the issue later in the year. Earlier in the offseason, Brian Cashman wavered (we think?) on his unquestioned support of Anthony Volpe. Later, Aaron Boone's dodgy responses seemed to indicate that there will be a leash on Volpe should he struggle when he returns from recovering from offseason shoulder surgery. A perfect storm of circumstances could provide Lombard Jr. with an opportunity, but that all starts this spring.

3. Carlos Lagrange

At an intimidating six-foot-seven and armed with a triple-digit fastball and thebest stuff in the minor leagues, Carlos Lagrange will be one of the most intriguing prospects we see on the field this spring. The question he'll have to answer is whether or not he's improved his command of the arsenal that makes him so tantalizing.

On top of proving that he's refined his control issues, the question will be what the Yankees' ultimate plan is for the right-hander. If they're comfortable using him in the bullpen, we could see him in 2026, possibly on Opening Day. If they only want to use him as a starter, 2027 is more likely for him to make a true impact.

2. Elmer Rodriguez

The likelihood of Elmer Rodriguez getting a chance to make an impact in 2026 is high. Named the Yankees' Minor League Player of the Year last year, the 22-year-old had a meteoric rise starting at Hudson Valley and finishing his year in Scranton. Admittedly, he struggled in his one Triple-A start, but the dominance he showed at the lower two levels is enough to make him one of the first call-ups should injury strike in the rotation.

It's not likely, but a stellar spring could springboard him into the Opening Day roster conversation. Gerrit Cole and Carlos Rodón being on the mend means that New York will be trusting volatile hurlers like Will Warren, Luis Gil, and Ryan Weathers. The latter two also bring injury concerns of their own. One way or another, it feels safe to assume that Rodriguez will get a big league call-up at some point this year.

1. Spencer Jones

No Yankees prospect has a straight line to a spot on Opening Day, but of all, Spencer Jones has the best shot. The general sentiment around Jasson Dominguez makes it seem like, one way or another, a spot could open in the big league outfield. The Yankees would prefer to fill that with a right-handed hitter, but after bringing back Paul Goldschmidt and losing Austin Slater, that might not come to fruition.

Jones will need to prove that his massive strikeout issues have been reined in. He's been putting extra work in this offseason, and it seems like he's on a mission. On the other hand, it shouldn't shock anyone if the Yankees sell high on him, should a last-minute trade opportunity present itself.