Patriots Notebook 8/26/25: Battle in Binghamton
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — As the Patriots (27-24) head to Binghamton for their final regular-season meeting with the first-place Rumble Ponies (33-18), Somerset holds just a 0.5-game lead over Hartford in the race for an Eastern League playoff berth. The last scheduled edition of the Double-A Subway Series carries major postseason
BRIDGEWATER, N.J. — As the Patriots (27-24) head to Binghamton for their final regular-season meeting with the first-place Rumble Ponies (33-18), Somerset holds just a 0.5-game lead over Hartford in the race for an Eastern League playoff berth. The last scheduled edition of the Double-A Subway Series carries major postseason implications.
The Patriots began last week with a 4.5-game lead over the Yard Goats, but after dropping five of six to the Rockies’ affiliate — including four losses decided by two runs or fewer — Somerset enters the final 18 games with little margin for error.
Here are some of the latest news, notes and storylines surrounding the Patriots heading into this week’s action.
Carlos Lagrange (@Yankees No. 2 prospect) looked strong with five innings of one-run ball in his 20th start of the season.
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 24, 2025
After five more strikeouts today, Lagrange leads all Yankees minor leaguers with 147 strikeouts on the season. pic.twitter.com/u5WXxMAukX
Lagrange Bounce-Back: After a shaky outing in the series opener against Hartford on Tuesday, right-hander Carlos Lagrange rebounded in Sunday’s finale. The Yankees’ No. 2 prospect allowed one earned run on five hits with one walk and five strikeouts in a 1-0 loss. Ranked No. 81 overall in baseball, Lagrange leads the Yankees’ system in K (147) and is third in BA (.196).
Choose your fighter 🥷@NYYPlayerDev | #RepBX pic.twitter.com/F8Ttf2kbqc
— Somerset Patriots (@SOMPatriots) August 13, 2025
Decorated Rotation — The Patriots’ rotation has been bolstered in recent weeks and now features four of the Yankees’ top five minor league strikeout leaders. Lagrange leads with 147, just ahead of No. 6 prospect Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (146). First-round pick Ben Hess ranks fourth with 118 strikeouts, while Trent Sellers, who has 108 strikeouts in 95.2 IP over 21 GS, is fifth. Rodriguez-Cruz struck out a Double-A–high nine batters last Friday, and Hess matched his career high with nine strikeouts on Saturday.
Power Outage — Somerset endured its longest home run drought of the season last week, a span of 39.2 innings. Outfielder Jace Avina broke the streak with a two-run homer in Saturday’s win. Despite leading the Eastern League with 120 homers, the Patriots have hit just 11 in August, second-fewest in the league this month.
Knowing the Opponent — Binghamton has led the Eastern League all season, boasting a 78-30 record, 8.5 games ahead of Akron. However, key players Carson Benge (Mets No.1 prospect), Jett Williams (No. 2), Jonah Tong (No. 4) and Ryan Clifford (No. 8) have all been promoted to Triple-A since the teams last met two weeks ago.
Somerset is 4-8 against Binghamton this season, including 1-5 at Mirabito Stadium. The all-time series is tied 34-34. The teams last split a six-game set at TD Bank Ballpark from Aug. 5-10.
Mets No. 6 prospect Jacob Reimer has 16 homers this season and is hitting .267 with a .373 OBP and .484 SLG in 46 games since his June 23 promotion.
Mets No. 7 prospect AJ Ewing, promoted to Double-A two weeks ago, will face Somerset for the first time. Ewing is batting .314 with 65 SB in 74 attempts this season, ranking fourth in Minor League Baseball. In 12 Double-A games, he is hitting .358 with 12 SB.
The Mets also promoted No. 11 prospect Will Watson to Binghamton on Monday. The 2024 seventh-round pick from USC has a 2.45 ERA and 120 K in 103 IP this season.
Series Pitching Probables
Tue: LHP Brock Selvidge (2-4, 4.67 ERA) vs. RHP R.J. Gordon (4-0, 3.29 ERA)
Wed: RHP Trent Sellers (2-5, 3.78 ERA) vs. LHP Jonathan Santucci (3-0, 2.34 ERA)
Thu: RHP Elmer Rodriguez-Cruz (3-2, 2.32 ERA) vs. RHP Jack Wenninger (11-6, 2.73 ERA)
Fri: RHP Ben Hess (1-1, 2.70 ERA) vs. RHP Will Watson (Double-A debut)
Sat: RHP Carlos Lagrange (5-5, 3.68 ERA) vs. TBD
Sun: LHP Brock Selvidge (2-4, 4.67 ERA) vs. RHP R.J. Gordon (4-0, 3.29 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.