Stanton locking in; Schlittler dominates, then marvels at Lagrange's heat

TAMPA, Fla. -- Giancarlo Stanton says timing is everything for him throughout Spring Training, and his latest checkpoint was impossible to miss: two home runs traveling a combined projection of 826 feet, providing a good indication that his swing is right on schedule.

Stanton launched a two-run shot off Eric Lauer in the third inning and added a solo blast facing Lazaro Estrada in the sixth, powering the Yankees’ 8-1 Grapefruit League victory over the Blue Jays on Wednesday at George M. Steinbrenner Field.

“My timing is getting more precise, being able to replicate multiple games,” Stanton said. “I’ve been able to make the adjustments. The past game or two, my timing wasn’t there. I was able to go make the adjustments and come back and feel a little better.

“So that’s usually how spring goes. Put back to back together, put three in a row.”

Since playing his first spring game on March 5, Stanton has four hits in 11 at-bats (.364). Three of those have left the ballpark.

"I feel like all of his at-bats have been really, really good,” manager Aaron Boone said. “He’s not chasing. He’s controlling the strike zone. That’s what we saw him do a little better last year; not [having] some of the wild chases.

“He’s one of the guys that really benefits from his experience and applies it. I think he knows himself. He knows his routine and how to create a plan going into the games. I feel like he’s about ready to go.”

Stanton has spoken about the maintenance needed to play through the epicondylitis in both elbows that limited him to 77 games last season, delaying his debut until mid-June. While the issue has not resolved, Stanton said he has found a routine that makes it manageable to perform.

So what does a typical day look like -- for example, one that includes two long homers off Toronto pitchers?

"Today was a long day,” Stanton said. “We had a lot of pregame meetings and some team stuff, and then I just get my full routine in -- make sure I get enough running in, the Trajekt timing.

"I think it’s more with all that I’ve got to do pregame, to get all that in with getting my timing right, [I have] to make sure I still have time before the game for a little break to then go out. In spring, sometimes I get pushed right into the game. So it’s about getting the pregame flow in.”

Throwing gas

Cam Schlittler remembers his first impressions of Carlos Lagrange, just across the street from the Yankees’ spring home in the chain-link fields of the Florida Complex League.

It was 2023, Schlittler’s fastball was registering about 91 mph, and the young right-hander took a long look at Lagrange -- a physical specimen, tall and lanky, throwing triple-digit heat seemingly without having to reach for it.

“I was very impressed,” Schlittler said. “He’s always been a guy who could chuck it pretty hard. I thought he was really raw back then; compared to myself, I didn’t have the velo, but I was kind of raw, still trying to develop pitches, still trying to get in the zone. It’s been great to see him develop.”

Schlittler showed the world how far he came last season, rising to the big league level and succeeding on the postseason stage. Lagrange, the Yankees’ top pitching prospect according to MLB Pipeline, may not be far behind.

Over four dominant relief innings Wednesday, Lagrange threw 19 fastballs that averaged 101.5 mph, maxing at 103.1 mph. He was so efficient, Lagrange had to empty the rest of his allotted pitch count in the bullpen after the game.

“He just continues to be really, really excellent,” Boone said. “This is all we’ve seen from his live [batting practices], now carrying into games. Just getting to know him, we’re obviously excited about it.”

As for Schlittler, Boone said his first two innings were “about as dominant as you’re going to see,” with five strikeouts on 25 pitches. Schlittler fanned six over 3 2/3 innings, touched by a Jesús Sánchez RBI double in the fourth.

First impression

Randal Grichuk said he sees a path toward claiming a roster spot if he hits the ball like he has throughout his career, especially against left-handed pitching.

The veteran picked up his first hit of camp in the third inning, smoking a 112.6 mph line drive into the left-field corner for a run-scoring double.

“It was scalded,” Boone said. “Obviously, he’s hurt us over the years as an everyday player, but I’ve also seen him the last couple of years against some lefties where you’re like, ‘Man, this is a little bit of a mismatch here.’

“It’s good to get him playing now and hopefully he gets some real at-bats here to build a little bit of momentum in these final two weeks.”