Yankees’ Power Lefty Henry Lalane Is Ready To Take Next Steps
The Yankees’ next line of pitching prospects is set to make waves, and it may be 6-foot-7 power lefthander Henry Lalane leading the charge.
Signed for $350,000 in 2021, Lalane drew scouts’ praise last season in the Rookie-level Florida Complex League when he walked just four batters and struck out 34 in 21.2 innings.
The 19-year-old did little to tamp down the hype with a strong outing in the Yankees’ Spring Breakout game against Blue Jays. Lalane’s fastball touched 97 mph and he threw a plus slider and a changeup that the organization feels is his best secondary offering.
He limited Toronto prospects to one hit and one walk in two innings while striking out three.
Lalane will pitch for Low-A Tampa this season, perhaps at the outset. Yankees director of pitching Sam Briend believes that transition will be a seamless one.
“Obviously, the pitches and locations and how well he throws strikes for a young kid stand out, but I think it’s just his feel,” he said. “To be able to make changes, be able to have feel for what’s working that day and to be able to make those subtle adjustments . . .
“You get the best version of him every day, and it’s really impressive for a 19-year-old.”
Lalane is lauded for his athleticism for his size and features a lower-effort delivery and penchant for finding the strike zone that is uncommon for a pitcher with such long levers.
Now, Briend said, it’s refining what’s already there as he begins his ascent and tries to separate himself from the organization’s other lefthanders, including Kyle Carr and Brock Selvidge.
“Some of the decision-making process needs to get better with him, as far as when to actually use his pitches,” Briend said. “You’ve got to feel to throw all these things, but are you throwing them at the right situations and using your best weapons at the best times?
“Learning how to pitch is probably that next big step for him as he gets to the next levels and faces hitters with better approaches.”
