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.
Sproat shines while offense powers Syracuse to 18-0 win over Buffalo on Friday night
Syracuse, NY – Behind a high-powered offense and a gem from starting pitcher Brandon Sproat, the Syracuse Mets beat the Buffalo Bisons, 18-0, on Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse had a season-high 17 hits in the game and went 11-for-18 with runners in scoring position. Meanwhile, Sproat pitched
Mets fall to Bisons, 9-1, on Thursday night
Syracuse, NY – After scoring early, the Syracuse Mets' offense went quiet in a 9-1 loss to the Buffalo Bisons on Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Despite the loss, Syracuse has still won six of its last nine games.
Mets offense leads way to 7-6 win over Bisons on Wednesday night
Syracuse, NY – In a back-and-forth battle, the Syracuse Mets plated four runs in the sixth inning to take a lead they didn't relinquish in a 7-6 victory over the Buffalo Bisons on Wednesday night at NBT Bank Stadium. The Mets went 3-for-7 with runners in scoring position in the
Frankie Montas makes MLB rehab start for Syracuse but Mets fall to Bisons, 8-5, on Tuesday night
Syracuse, NY – Even after a four-run first inning, the Syracuse Mets didn't overcome a strong Buffalo Bisons’ offense in an 8-5 loss on a sunny Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Donovan Walton led the Syracuse offense with two walks and a three-run home run while starting pitcher Frankie
Syracuse Mets Homestand Highlights: Tuesday, June 3rd to Sunday, June 8th
SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets return home to NBT Bank Stadium for a six-game series against the Buffalo Bisons (Triple-A Toronto Blue Jays) from Tuesday, June 3rd to Sunday June 8th. The homestand features Little League Night, Joey Chestnut Appearance, Bark in the Park, two nights of fireworks, and
Syracuse finishes dominant six-game series with 5-4 win over Iowa on Sunday afternoon
Des Moines, IA - The Syracuse Mets finished off a hot week in Iowa with a 5-4 win over the Iowa Cubs on Sunday afternoon at Principal Park. With the victory, the Mets won five of the six games they played against the Cubs.
Syracuse pounces on Iowa early en route to 6-4 Mets victory on Saturday night
Des Moines, IA - The Syracuse Mets scored six-runs in the first inning and held off late Iowa Cubs rallies en route to a 6-4 Syracuse win over Iowa on Saturday night at Principal Park. With the victory, the Mets have already secured a series win, taking four of the
Syracuse's three-game winning streak ends with 8-5 loss to Iowa on Friday night
Des Moines, IA - The Syracuse Mets' three-game winning streak ended Friday night in an 8-5 loss to the Iowa Cubs at Principal Park. Despite the loss, Drew Gilbert went 2-for-4 with an RBI and two doubles for Syracuse.
Tidwell strikes out 11 batters as Syracuse blasts Iowa, 12-3, on Thursday night
Des Moines, IA - The Syracuse Mets combined to score 11 runs in the first two innings on Thursday night, and Blade Tidwell pitched five and two-thirds hitless innings as the Mets beat the Iowa Cubs, 12-3, at Principal Park. Every Syracuse batter in the starting lineup reached base, eight
Syracuse Mets sweep Wednesday afternoon doubleheader against Iowa Cubs
Des Moines, IA - The Syracuse Mets began their six-game series against the Iowa Cubs with a doubleheader sweep on Wednesday afternoon at Principal Park. The Mets won the first game, 3-2, before winning the second game, 4-2. Syracuse combined to go 5-for-12 with runners in scoring position in both
Syracuse and Iowa postponed on Tuesday, doubleheader scheduled for Wednesday at 1:08 p.m. ET
Des Moines, IA - Tuesday night's game between the Syracuse Mets and the Iowa Cubs has been postponed because of rain at Principal Park. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader on Wednesday with the first game scheduled for 1:08 p.m. ET. The second game will
Mets fall to Red Wings, 9-5, in 11 innings on Sunday night
Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets fell to the Rochester Red Wings, 9-5, in 11 innings, wrapping up the final game of a two-week homestand on Sunday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
Syracuse splits doubleheader with Rochester, Mets win Duel of the Dishes
Syracuse, NY – The Syracuse Mets exploded for 14 runs in game two of a doubleheader to split the pair of games with the Rochester Red Wings on a windy Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Rochester took game one, 7-4, and Syracuse came out on top, 14-3, in game
Syracuse Mets Offering $5 Off Tickets for Memorial Day Sunday Game at NBT Bank Stadium
SYRACUSE, NY – The Syracuse Mets are offering a one-time special Memorial Day Sunday deal for $5 off tickets for Syracuse’s 6:35 p.m. game on Sunday, May 25th at NBT Bank Stadium against the Rochester Red Wings. The $5 off flash sale will begin on Saturday at 6:00 p.m. and
Syracuse and Rochester postponed on Friday, doubleheader to be played Saturday at 4:05 p.m.
Syracuse, NY – Friday night's game between the Syracuse Mets and the Rochester Red Wings has been postponed because of inclement weather. The game will be made up as part of a single-admission doubleheader on Saturday, May 24th beginning at 4:05 p.m. Game two will begin approximately 40 minutes after
McLean tosses gem, Mets fall to Red Wings, 6-4, on Thursday night
Syracuse, NY – With a chance at a comeback victory in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Syracuse Mets stranded the bases loaded and fell just short in a 6-4 loss to the Rochester Red Wings on a rainy Thursday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
Blackburn shines, Mauricio homers again, and Mets beat Red Wings, 5-2, on Wednesday
Syracuse, NY – Behind a fantastic Major League rehab outing by starting pitcher Paul Blackburn, the Syracuse Mets beat the Rochester Red Wings, 5-2, in front of a raucous Wednesday afternoon crowd at NBT Bank Stadium for Education Day. Blackburn tossed seven shutout innings and only allowed one hit with
Mauricio homers but Syracuse falls to Rochester, 9-4, on Tuesday night
Syracuse, NY – Although the Syracuse Mets outhit the Rochester Red Wings, a nine-run top of the fifth inning was the difference in a 9-4 Mets loss to the Red Wings on Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Despite the loss, Ronny Mauricio had three hits and two RBIs for
Syracuse comeback falls short in 8-6 loss to Lehigh Valley on Sunday afternoon
Syracuse, NY – Even with a productive day from the lineup, the Syracuse Mets fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 8-6, on a windy Sunday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium. Despite the loss, Ronny Mauricio had two hits in his return to Syracuse after missing all of 2024 and the
Syracuse beats Lehigh Valley, 7-6, on Saturday night
Syracuse, NY – Behind an offensive surge and a stellar start from Joander Suarez, the Syracuse Mets beat the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 7-6, on a rainy Saturday night at NBT Bank Stadium.
Senger and Singleton homer as Syracuse beats Lehigh Valley, 8-5, on Friday night
Syracuse, NY – With a pair of three-run homers, the Syracuse Mets’ offense powered them to an 8-5 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Friday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse hit two three-run home runs in the game en route to the win.
Meneses homers, Mets fall to IronPigs, 7-3, on Thursday night
Syracuse, NY – Although the Syracuse Mets pitching kept them in the game through the eighth inning, the offense didn't muster up enough runs in a 7-3 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.
Meneses homers but Mets fall to IronPigs, 18-8, in ten innings on Wednesday
Syracuse, NY – In a back-and-forth shootout, the Syracuse Mets fell to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs, 18-8, in ten innings in front of an electric crowd of 9,969 fans on Wednesday afternoon at NBT Bank Stadium.
Young homers twice but Syracuse falls to Lehigh Valley, 7-3, on Tuesday night
Syracuse, NY – Jared Young homered twice but the Syracuse Mets squandered too many opportunities in a 7-3 loss to the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Tuesday night at NBT Bank Stadium. Syracuse allowed four unearned runs to score because of two errors on defense, and the Mets went 0-for-6 with
Syracuse splits series with Jacksonville after 5-2 loss on Sunday
Jacksonville, FL - The Syracuse Mets finished their week in Jacksonville with a series split after a 5-2 loss to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp on Sunday afternoon at VyStar ballpark. Both teams won three games during the six-game series. Drew Gilbert singled in the game, extending his on-base streak to