Yanks' Lagrange flashes triple-digit heat in Spring Breakout
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles. It had registered in the triple digits, and
SARASOTA, Fla. -- There was an audible “Ooh” from the crowd at Ed Smith Stadium, and Carlos Lagrange quickly glanced beyond the right-field wall, checking the velocity of the pitch he’d just thrown in Saturday’s 5-4 Spring Breakout loss to the Orioles.
It had registered in the triple digits, and the 6-foot-7 Yankees right-hander grinned. That was exactly what he’d hoped to showcase.
“This was a really big opportunity for me,” Lagrange said through an interpreter. “It meant a lot. It was an opportunity to prove to myself and to everybody else that I’m a good pitcher and that I can throw strikes.”
Rated as the Yankees’ No. 19 prospect by MLB Pipeline, the 21-year-old Lagrange’s big arm impressed in a four-inning performance against Baltimore’s top farmhands. He allowed two runs (one earned) and two hits, including Vance Honeycutt’s inside-the-park home run in the fourth inning.
📩 SUBSCRIBE TO THE BASEBALL TRAVELER NEWSLETTER
Lagrange settled in after experiencing first-inning jitters, coming after he permitted a leadoff single to Enrique Bradfield Jr. Lagrange threw errantly on a pickoff attempt down the right-field line, seeing Bradfield advance to third base, then uncorked a wild pitch that sent Bradfield home.
But Lagrange then retired the following 11 batters, two via strikeout, and did not walk any -- which represents an important next step in his development.
He issued 20 walks in 21 innings last season, when he posted a 6.86 ERA in nine games (eight starts) for the Florida Complex League Yankees and Single-A Tampa.
Asked how he recovered following Bradfield’s race around the bases, Lagrange replied: “I just tried to do what I always do -- try to keep the same rhythm going. The same things that we always do when we train in the complex. This is baseball. Things are going to happen.”
Signed for $10,000 out of the Dominican Republic in February 2022, Lagrange missed most of last season with back inflammation. He was much sharper in the Arizona Fall League, where he made strides he hopes to carry into the season.
“We have a lot of good pitchers in our organization, so when I got the news [about starting the Spring Breakout game], it felt incredible,” Lagrange said.
The Vandy boys
There was a Vanderbilt presence to the Spring Breakout game right to the finish, as the Yankees’ Spencer Jones and Greysen Carter posed for photos at home plate with fellow alums Enrique Bradfield Jr. and Patrick Reilly of the Orioles.
A fifth Vandy alum, Bryce Cunningham, was tossing in the bullpen after surrendering Leandro Arias’ walk-off hit. The Yankees’ loss meant Jones (Yanks' No. 3) won’t cash in his friendly wager with Bradfield for a medium-rare steak, but Jones said the experience was still a good time.
“Oh dude, it’s awesome when I get to see my former college teammates, especially now in professional baseball,” Jones said. “We competed against each other so many times, even at school, so this is the greatest thing ever.”
Jones, who went 1-for-2 with a double and a run scored, lauded Carter as “one of the strongest people I’ve ever seen in my life in the weight room” and said Cunningham (Yanks' No. 6) is “your typical SEC competitor; he’s going to come right after you and throw all his pitches for strikes.”
Jesús Rodríguez knocks in Spencer Jones 👏@NYYPlayerDev | #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/071JFNpeVl
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 15, 2025
As for Bradfield, who dashed around the bases to score Baltimore’s first run of the night, Jones offered this scouting report: “I think it’s a well-known fact that Enrique Bradfield can run.” (Performances like Saturday’s should make that clear to a larger audience.)
An unofficial debut
Ben Hess was the Yankees’ first-round selection (26th overall) in last year’s MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama, and Saturday’s contest marked the 22-year-old’s first time pitching in front of a crowd in a professional uniform.
“It was super cool to get to throw in front of fans, seeing another uniform in the box,” said Hess, the Yankees' No. 4 prospect. “I would have liked it to go a little better, but it was a great time.”
Entering for the fifth inning, Hess retired the first four batters he faced, including a nifty sliding stop by third baseman Jesus Rodriguez that robbed Jud Fabian of a hit.
Smooth play by Jesús Rodríguez 🔥@NYYPlayerDev | #SpringBreakout pic.twitter.com/SCKvqRpoFg
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) March 15, 2025
Hess walked one and struck out three; he was also struck in the left calf by a Bradfield comebacker that led to the Orioles scoring a run in the sixth, saying he’d likely be sore for a couple of days.
Otherwise, Hess said the adjustment from college to pro life has been “really fun,” and that his focus for the upcoming season will be on winning games.
“I think sometimes that can get a little overlooked going through the development system,” Hess said. “First and foremost, I want to get some wins and throw well, [and] make all my starts.”
Senior Reporter Bryan Hoch has covered the Yankees for MLB.com since 2007.
Rough Start Leads to Hot Rods 4-2 Loss in Winston-Salem
Winston-Salem, North Carolina – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (30-27) struggled to fight back after a three-run first inning for the Winston-Salem Dash (22-36), leading to a 4-2 loss in the series opener on Tuesday at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Winston-Salem started the scoring in the bottom of
Hot Rods Seven-Run Rally Falls Short, Split Series with BlueClaws
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (30-26) rallied from down seven runs to force extra innings but ultimately fell in the series finale to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (21-35) on Sunday, 12-10 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The BlueClaws struck first in the top
Cermak and Colmenarez Homer, Hot Rods Drop Twin Bill
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Ryan Cermak slammed his second home run in three games, and Colmenarez collected his first High-A homer, as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (30-25) fell in both games of the doubleheader to the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (20-35) on Saturday, 4-2 and 8-2 at Bowling Green Ballpark
Hot Rods and BlueClaws Postponed, Doubleheader Set for Saturday
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The game scheduled for Friday, June 6, between the Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Jersey Shore BlueClaws has been postponed due to rain. The two teams are scheduled to play a doubleheader on Saturday, June 7, at Bowling Green Ballpark. The doubleheader will consist of
Cermak Swats Walk-Off Homer to Lift Bootleggers to 5-4 Win
Bowling Green, Kentucky – After relinquishing a late lead, Ryan Cermak’s walk-off, two-run blast propelled the Bowling Green Bootleggers (30-23) to a 5-4 win over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (19-34) on Thursday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. Bowling Green began the scoring in the bottom of the third off Jersey
Hot Rods Cruise to 8-2 Win Over BlueClaws
Bowling Green, Kentucky – A pair of three-run innings spurred the Bowling Green Hot Rods (29-23) to an 8-2 win over the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (18-34) on Wednesday afternoon at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bowling Green kicked off the scoring against Jersey Shore starter Aaron Combs in
Hot Rods Take Series-Opening Win 7-3 Over BlueClaws
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (28-23) used a four-walk third inning to take the opening game of the series against the Jersey Shore BlueClaws (18-33), 7-3 on Tuesday night at Bowling Green Ballpark. Jersey Shore took the lead in the top of the third inning off
Snelsire Strikes Out Six in Hot Rods 2-1 Loss
Greensboro, North Carolina – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (27-23) were on the short end of a pitchers duel, dropping the series final 2-1 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (34-16) on Sunday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Grasshoppers scored the first runs of the game in
Hot Rods Blast Off, Three Homers Help Beat Grasshoppers 9-6
Greensboro, North Carolina – Daniel Vellojin, Emilien Pitre, and Aidan Smith all left the park, powering the Bowling Green Hot Rods (27-22) to a 9-6 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers (33-16) on Saturday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. Bowling Green opened the scoring in the top
Hot Rods Win Continuation Game 2-1, Drop Second Game 4-1
Greensboro, North Carolina – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (26-22) won a continuation game from a suspension on Thursday, 2-1, while dropping the regularly scheduled game 4-1 to the Greensboro Grasshoppers (33-15) on Friday at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina. The Grasshoppers opened the scoring in the
Hot Rods and Grasshopper Suspended Due to Rain, Resumes Friday
Greensboro, North Carolina – The first game of Thursday’s planned doubleheader between the Bowling Green Hot Rods (25-21) and the Greensboro Grasshoppers (32-14) was suspended, tied 1-1 in the sixth inning. The game will resume at 4:00 PM CT at First National Bank Field before their regularly scheduled nine-inning matchup.
Horvath, Vellojin Homer in Hot Rods 7-6 Win Over Grasshoppers
Greensboro, North Carolina – Daniel Vellojin helped the Bowling Green Hot Rods (25-21) offense get out to a quick lead and Mac Horvath clubbed his team-leading 10th homer of the season, leading to a 7-6 win over the Greensboro Grasshoppers (32-14) at First National Bank Field in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Hot Rods Rained Out Tuesday, Doubleheader Set for Thursday
Greensboro, North Carolina – The game scheduled for Tuesday, May 27, between the Bowling Green Hot Rods and the Greenville Drive has been postponed due to rain. The two teams will play a doubleheader on Thursday, May 29 at First National Bank Field. The doubleheader will consist of two, seven-inning
Snelsire Solid Start Leads Hot Rods to 5-0, Weather Shortened Win
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Hayden Snelsire spun 6.0 scoreless frames in the Bowling Green Hot Rods (24-21) weather shortened, 5-0 win over the Greenville Drive (20-25) on Sunday at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bowling Green jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first
Santana Slugs First Professional Homer, Hot Rods Fall 8-4
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Adrian Santana clubbed his first professional home run as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (23-21) fell to the Greenville Drive (20-24) on Saturday, 8-4 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Greenville struck in the top of the first against Hot Rods starter Gary Gill
Diaz Hammers Two Home Runs, Hot Rods Rally to 5-4 Victory
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Jhon Diaz mashed two home runs helping the Bowling Green Hot Rods (23-20) down the Greenville Drive (19-24), on Friday, 5-4 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Bowling Green kicked off the scoring in the bottom of the second facing Drive starter Payton Tolle.
Smith Smacks Two-Run Bomb, Bootleggers Fall 4-3
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Aidan Smith smacked his second home run of the season as the Bowling Green Bootleggers (22-20) fell to the Greenville Drive (19-23) on Thursday, 4-3 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Greenville struck first in the top of the first, facing Bootleggers starter Marcus
Hot Rods Split Doubleheader with Drive on Wednesday
Bowling Green, Kentucky – The Bowling Green Hot Rods (22-19) split a doubleheader with the Greenville Drive (18-23), dropping the first game 5-2 while picking up a 3-1 win in game two on Wednesday at Bowling Green Ballpark. In the first game, the Hot Rods opened the scoring in the
Santana Collects Two Hits, Hot Rods Fall 6-2 to Tourists
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Adrian Santana collected two base knocks, but it was not enough as the Bowling Green Hot Rods (21-18) fell to the Asheville Tourists (18-21) on Saturday, 6-2, at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Tourists struck first in the top of the second facing
Horvath Plates 6 RBIs in First Game, Hot Rods Split Doubleheader
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Mac Horvath collected six RBIs in the first game of a doubleheader leading the Bowling Green Hot Rods (21-17) to a 13-0 win, while the Asheville Tourists (17-21) took the second game 4-1 on Saturday at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. In game one
Hot Rods Rally Late, Fall 9-6 to Tourists
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Jhon Diaz homered for the second consecutive game, but the Bowling Green Hot Rods (20-16) fell to the Asheville Tourists (16-20) on Thursday night at Bowling Green Ballpark, dropping the fourth game of the series, 9-6. The Tourists started the scoring off Hot Rods starter Marcus
Nichols Whiffs 12, Hot Rods Take 6-3 Win Over Tourists
Bowling Green, Kentucky – TJ Nichols struck out a career-high 12 batters, while Jhon Diaz drove in two of the Bowling Green Hot Rods (20-15) six runs, taking down the Asheville Tourists (15-20) by a score of 6-3 at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The Hot Rods pulled
Hot Rods Topple Tourists 2-1 in Series Opener
Bowling Green, Kentucky – Timely hitting and strong pitching led the Bowling Green Hot Rods (19-15) to a series-opening win over the Asheville Tourists (15-19), 2-1, on Tuesday at Bowling Green Ballpark in Bowling Green, Kentucky. Asheville started the scoring in the fourth against Bowling Green starter Hayden Snelsire. Garret
Hot Rods Drop Series Finale 5-3 to Dash
Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Mac Horvath hit his team-leading eighth homer of the year, but his power wasn’t enough to lead the Bowling Green Hot Rods (18-15) to a win, losing 5-3 to the Winston-Salem Dash (12-21) on Sunday at Truist Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. For the sixth consecutive
Edwards Hurls 6.0 Scoreless Innings, Horvath Homers in 7-0 Win
Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Mac Horvath belted his team-leading seventh homer of the year and Raudelis Martinez knocked in three runs, while Garrett Edwards tossed 6.0 scoreless innings to lead the Bowling Green Hot Rods (18-14) to a 7-0 win over the Winston-Salem Dash (11-21) on Saturday at Truist Stadium