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MLB

Patriots Notebook 7/18/25: Pats Are Back

July 18, 2025

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Seemingly the only thing that could slow down a surging Patriots club that is 12-6 and tied with Binghamton for first place in the Northeast Division is the All-Star Break. Somerset resumes action tonight in Hartford to kick off a three-game slate with the third place Yard

BRIDGEWATER, N.J. – Seemingly the only thing that could slow down a surging Patriots club that is 12-6 and tied with Binghamton for first place in the Northeast Division is the All-Star Break. Somerset resumes action tonight in Hartford to kick off a three-game slate with the third place Yard Goats (10-8) after taking five-of-six from New Hampshire at home last week.

The team has fully bought into the “Second Half Pats” rallying cry, much like the 2024 version of the team did after a fourth-place finish in the standings during the first half. Since the calendar flipped to July, Somerset has gone 10-2 while posting an Eastern League-best 2.50 ERA in the month while scoring an average of just under five runs per-game.

“Right now, I feel like they [the team] is starting to play together,” said manager Raul Dominguez. “It seems like they are having more fun; I think they are getting to know each other a little bit more. In the advanced meetings they are making jokes and they’re just trying to celebrate everything. They are learning together and right now they are playing together, and I think that’s why we are getting the results on the field right now.”

Dominguez added, “We’ve been here for three or four months now, and finally they connected. The pitching, the defense, the offense – that’s why we are playing a good game right now.”

Here are some of the latest news, notes and storylines surrounding the Patriots heading into this week’s action.

Gil Electric in Debut: Yankees right-hander Luis Gil looked electric in his season debut for the Patriots last Sunday in the first game of his rehab assignment against New Hampshire. The reigning American League Rookie of the Year became the ninth Yankees player to rehab with Somerset this season.

Gil, who was slated to throw 50 pitches was capped at exactly that mark after tossing 3.1 innings of one run ball. The Dominican-native allowed just two hits and a walk while striking out six. Gil is expected to pitch again on Friday in Hartford.

Lagrange Turning a Corner: Carlos Lagrange turned in his best outing since being promoted to Double-A in early June. The imposing 6’7” right-hander came on in a piggyback situation behind Gil on Sunday and showcased sheer dominance against New Hampshire. The 22-year-old Lagrange fired five innings of hitless ball and allowed a walk while fanning seven batters.

In his first four starts for Somerset, Lagrange pitched to a 6.05 ERA while allowing 17 hits and 15 walks over 19.1 innings of work. In his last three starts, he has posted a 1.10 ERA and has surrendered just three hits and seven walks while striking out 25 batters over his last 16.1 innings.

“I have been really impressed; the tools that he has is a gift,” said manager Raul Dominguez. “He has the potential to be a big-league pitcher. It’s good to see him frustrated when he walks a lot of people; I tell him that is good but that he needs to learn between innings how to turn the page and if he can dominate that part of the game, the mental part of the game, then he is going to be really good.”

Lombard in the Spotlight: Somerset shortstop George Lombard Jr. left a strong impression on fans and evaluators around the game after a standout performance in last weekend’s MLB All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta. The Yankees 20-year-old top-prospect slotted into the ninth spot and started at second base for the American League team.

In his first of three at-bats, Lombard drew a walk in the third inning and immediately swiped second base and eventually came around to score the first run of the contest. Lombard hit a well-struck double off of the left field wall in his second at-bat of the afternoon in the fifth inning before lining out to centerfield in his third and final at-bat.

Following the game, Baseball America cited Lombard as the best player in the contest.

Cam Shoves: Right-hander Cam Schlittler, who started opening night for Somerset and spent the first two months of the season with the club, made his MLB debut in pinstripes in the Bronx last Wednesday against Seattle. The 22-year-old Schlittler earned the win after allowing three earned runs on four hits while striking out seven over 5.1 innings of work – he hit as high as 100 MPH on the radar gun during the outing.

The Patriots were forced into a rain delay against New Hampshire during his outing and many of the players and coaches gathered in the dugout to watch from a tablet. Schlittler became the 49th Patriots player to make their MLB debut since the team joined the affiliated ranks of MiLB in 2021.

Knowing the Opponent: Somerset enters action on Friday in Hartford in a tie with Binghamton for first place, but the Yard Goats are lurking as they sit just two games behind those teams. The Patriots have gone 4-5 against the Rockies' affiliate this season, but historically have lost just one series to them during their time in the Eastern League.

Hartford is highlighted by Colorado’s top-prospect, Charlie Condon. The 22-year-old outfielder was the third overall pick in last summers MLB draft and in his first nine games at the Double-A level, the Georgia-product has slashed .258/.333/.323 with 8 RBI.

Hartford also features the Rockies second ranked prospect in outfielder Cole Carrigg, who was the 65th overall pick back in 2023. The 23-year-old Carrigg has spent the entire season with Hartford and is hitting .243 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI while swiping 31 bases, which ranked third in the EL heading into action this weekend.

Series Pitching Probables

Fri: RHP Luis Gil (MLB Rehab) vs. RHP Connor Staine (1-5, 4.40 ERA)
Sat: RHP Trent Sellers (1-4, 3.56) vs. TBD
Sun: LHP Ben Shields (1-0, 2.77 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Mahoney (2-4, 5.60 ERA)

Matt Kardos | SomersetPatriots.com Senior Writer

Matt Kardos has covered the Yankees minor league system for over a decade and will spend his 13th season on the beat covering the Patriots for SomersetPatriots.com. Throughout his career, Matt has contributed to MLB.com, YES Network and Pinstriped Prospects. When he’s not at the ballpark, Matt enjoys traveling with his wife Kimberly, watching Jets football and collecting sports cards.

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