Yankees Prospects Gain Insight from Cole, Stanton and Hall of Famer Kent
TAMPA, FL – As the New York Yankees navigate spring training, several prospects are benefiting from guidance from established players, including Gerrit Cole and Giancarlo Stanton. Kaeden Kent, son of Hall of Famer Rickey Kent, is focused on development in his first full professional season.
Cole’s Curveball Advice for Carr
Left-handed pitcher Kyle Carr, the Yankees’ No. 11 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, received valuable advice from Cy Young Award winner Gerrit Cole during a recent bullpen session. Cole observed Carr’s curveball delivery and offered a suggestion on grip refinement.
“He watches a lot of bullpens. He just loves baseball, so he likes giving his advice,” Carr said. “He mentioned something and it clicked. … It was a feel thing, like throwing it with the back of your hand. It was a pretty simple thing, but it helped a lot.”
Despite allowing six runs in 3 1/3 innings during the Spring Breakout loss to the Braves on March 21, 2026, as reported by Pinstripe Alley, Carr impressed in earlier Grapefruit League appearances, conceding only one run and one hit over four innings.
Carr was the South Atlantic League’s Pitcher of the Year in 2024 while playing for High-A Hudson Valley, posting a 1.96 ERA in 22 starts and holding opponents to a .190 batting average. He was a third-round selection in the 2023 MLB Draft.
Carr is also focused on increasing his fastball velocity while maintaining its effectiveness. “I think just getting in the weight room, that’s the main thing,” Carr said. “Getting consistent there and making sure my body is ready for this season, because it’s a long one. Being consistent will help everything else.”
Lombard Learning from Stanton
George Lombard Jr., the Yankees’ top prospect, has been observing Giancarlo Stanton’s routine, both physically and mentally, during spring training. Lombard is ranked No. 32 overall by MLB Pipeline.
“A lot of it is just kind of picking the brains of guys that have been in the league for a while – been there, done that, and know what it takes,” Lombard said. “I’m learning how they work, how they manage their bodies and everything in between. There’s a lot I can learn from them, how they prepare and how they go about their business, especially on the mental side.”
Lombard noted Stanton’s impressive performance in camp, stating, “He’s been impressive this camp; he’s looked really solid. This is the first camp that I’ve gotten to see him have a full camp, because he’s been banged up a little bit and had some injuries. But getting to watch him work on a daily basis now, being healthy and being on the field, it’s been really fun to watch.”
Kent Embraces Continuous Improvement
Infielder Kaeden Kent, the Yankees’ No. 13 prospect, is entering his first full professional season after appearing in 25 games for Hudson Valley last year. A third-round pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, Kent batted .186 (19-for-102) with two home runs and 17 RBIs.
Kent, the son of Hall of Famer Rickey Kent, emphasizes the importance of continuous improvement. “The game is unforgiving,” Kent said. “My dad is a Hall of Famer, and he still hasn’t figured it out. That’s his message to me – you’re always evolving and always making changes. So credit to the coaching staff here and all the people in the organization who are around us to help us improve and learn the game.”