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.
Whitecaps Refresh Calaveras in 2025
2025 New Look 2025 marks the 6th year we will play as Las Calaveras de West Michigan, and we chose to revitalize our colors, jerseys, caps, and more to demonstrate our commitment to honoring the impact the Latin community has had on, not only the game of baseball, but all
Whitecaps Within One Game of Postseason After 7-1 Win
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps are officially one game away from making the postseason for the first time since 2018, thanks to a 7-1 win over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 6,364 fans at Jackson Field. LISTEN: WHITECAPS CLOSE IN ON POSTSEASON WITH 7-1 WIN The Whitecaps,
‘Caps Miscues Lead to Walk-Off Defeat
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps carried a lead throughout the entire evening on Wednesday but couldn’t finish the job as a bizarre ninth inning led to a 4-3 loss to the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 3.835 fans at Jackson Field on Wednesday night. The Whitecaps – who
Whitecaps Win; Magic Number Drops to 3
LANSING, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps took advantage of big nights from catcher Bennett Lee and infielder Peyton Graham to reduce their magic number down to three as part of a 6-2 victory over the Lansing Lugnuts in front of 3.847 fans at Jackson Field on Tuesday night. The
‘Caps Drop Series to Lake County
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps put the potential go-ahead run on base in the eighth inning, but they couldn't complete the rally, falling to the Lake County Captains 6-4 in front of 7,475 fans Sunday afternoon at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps left eight runners in scoring position
‘Caps Enjoy Biggest Crowd Since ’19 in Defeat
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – A 2025 season-high 9,049 fans were in attendance Saturday night as the West Michigan Whitecaps fell to the Lake County Captains 6-1 at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps enjoyed their first sell-out crowd of 2025 - marking the biggest gathering West Michigan has seen since August 17,
‘Caps Taken Down by Captains, 3-0
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps put eight runners in scoring position but went hitless in eight at-bats as they were shut out by the Lake County Captains 3-0 in front of 8,067 fans Friday night at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps put a runner at third base in
Whitecaps Walk to 5-4 Victory in 11 Innings
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps saw their magic number shrink to five games as they enjoyed a walk-off bases-loaded walk to sink the Lake County Captains 5-4 in 11 innings in front of 5,514 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps loaded the bases in the
‘Caps Win Streak Concludes in 4-1 Loss
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps saw two home runs make the difference as they couldn’t rally in a 4-1 loss to the Lake County Captains - snapping their nine-game win streak in front of 4,503 fans Wednesday night at LMCU Ballpark. The Whitecaps struggled to generate many
Whitecaps Wash Away Lake County in Ninth Straight Win
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Top Detroit Tigers prospects Kevin McGonigle and Josue Briceño hit back-to-back homers as the West Michigan Whitecaps rolled to their ninth-straight victory 9-2 over the Lake County Captains in front of 5,398 fans Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. Briceño reached base five times in the ballgame
‘Caps Get Franchise-First Road Sweep in 11-3 Win
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps finished their first six-game road series sweep in franchise history Sunday afternoon as Kevin McGonigle, John Peck, and Seth Stephenson combined for nine RBI in an 11-3 drubbing of the Dayton Dragons in front of 8,220 fans at Day Air Ballpark. McGonigle -
Briceño Slays Dragons with 9th Inning Slam, 7-4
DAYTON, OH – With the West Michigan Whitecaps down to their final out, a furious ninth-inning rally culminated in a go-ahead grand slam by Detroit Tigers top prospect Josue Briceño as part of a 7-4 win over the Dayton Dragons in front of 8,254 fans on Saturday at Day Air
Cobb Cruises, McGonigle Shines in 13-2 Win
DAYTON, OH – One day after watching Josue Briceño enjoy one of the best nights by an offensive player in West Michigan Whitecaps history, fellow top Detroit Tigers prospect Kevin McGonigle reached base five times by finishing a triple shy of hitting for the cycle while Tigers pitcher Alex Cobb
Briceño Makes History in 14-1 Win
DAYTON, OH – In a feat that hasn’t occurred in Major League Baseball since at least 1901, Detroit Tigers Top-5 Prospect Josue Briceño etched his name in the record books as the first player to homer three times and record a steal of home plate in the same game as
Pacheco Helps ‘Caps Rally Again in Ten, 5-4
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps turned to a familiar face in third baseman Izaac Pacheco, whose 3-RBI performance culminated in a go-ahead RBI-single as part of a come-from-behind 5-4 win over the Dayton Dragons in front of 7,346 fans Wednesday at Day Air Ballpark. Coupled with a loss
Six-Run Fifth Sends ‘Caps to Victory
DAYTON, OH – The West Michigan Whitecaps found themselves in a slugfest on Tuesday night as a six-run fifth inning highlighted a 12-7 win over the Dayton Dragons in front of 7,320 fans at Day Air Ballpark. The Whitecaps hold their five-game lead over the Lansing Lugnuts in the Midwest
GATE TIMES HAVE CHANGED FOR SATURDAY’S MAX CLARK BOBBLEHEAD GIVEAWAY.
Due to rain outs earlier in the week, Saturday’s game is now a doubleheader with Game 1 starting at 6:05pm! That means NEW GATE TIMES for the Max Clark Bobblehead Giveaway. Gates will now open at 5:15pm (5:00pm for season ticket holders). This is 30-minutes earlier than previously scheduled, so
Pacheco Clubs First Ever Walk-Off Slam
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – West Michigan Whitecaps infielder Izaac Pacheco hit the first walk-off grand slam in franchise history as they stunned the Loons 5-2 in front of 6,100 fans Sunday evening at LMCU Ballpark. The 'Caps – who did not have a hit through the first seven innings of
Patrick Plays Hero in Doubleheader Split
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The West Michigan Whitecaps managed just four base hits in a 4-0 shutout loss before Patrick Lee lifted a game-tying home run in the nightcap, allowing Bennett Lee to deliver a walk-off sacrifice fly as they stole the 4-3 win and a doubleheader split with the
'Caps Fall to Loons, 3-2
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Despite a strong showing by the West Michigan Whitecaps pitching staff, the offense couldn’t string hits together as the Great Lakes Loons rallied late in a 3-2 loss Friday evening at LMCU Ballpark. ‘Caps pitchers compiled 10 strikeouts while holding the Loons to 1-for-3 with runners
Clark is Grand in ‘Caps Doubleheader Sweep
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – Detroit Tigers top prospect Max Clark blasted his first career High-A grand slam with the West Michigan Whitecaps as they completed a doubleheader sweep of the Great Lakes Loons by scores of 2-1 and 7-1 in front of 5,752 fans Thursday night at LMCU Ballpark. Clark
Whitecaps, Loons Doubleheader Suspended
COMSTOCK PARK, MI — For the second straight day, the Whitecaps and Loons watched Mother Nature intervene as the teams played to a 1-1 tie through two and a half innings of their scheduled doubleheader before heavy rains suspended play Wednesday morning at LMCU Ballpark. The ‘Caps and Loons –
‘Caps, Loons Postponed; Will Play Two Wednesday
COMSTOCK PARK, MI – The first game of the West Michigan Whitecaps six-game series against the Great Lakes Loons was postponed after steady rain throughout the day made field conditions unplayable Tuesday night at LMCU Ballpark. Constant rain moving through West Michigan beginning in the late morning hours continued throughout
Whitecaps Take Five of Six from TinCaps
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps saw a pair of rehabbing Detroit Tigers take the field for just the second time in franchise history, as pitcher Sawyer Gipson-Long and outfielder Wenceel Perez helped pave the way to a 3-2 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of
‘Caps Clinch Series Win in Fort Wayne, 4-1
FORT WAYNE, IN – The West Michigan Whitecaps put forth another masterful pitching performance in a 4-1 win over the Fort Wayne TinCaps in front of 7,602 fans at Parkview Field on Saturday night. Sears, who struck out a career-high seven batters in five scoreless frames, helped the Whitecaps clinch