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.
FSL announces Covid-19 relief efforts in all cities
Today the Florida State League announced that all its member teams will be participating in a League wide effort to support Covid-19 relief. The 12 teams have partnered with LiveSource to set up an auction site that will make bidding for auction items a simple and efficient process. The collectible
On This Date in 2017: Stone Crabs play on back fields after net collapse
It was one of the weirdest weekends in Stone Crabs history. The Jupiter Hammerheads came to Port Charlotte expecting to play a routine, three-game weekend series against their division rivals. But as is customary in the Florida State League, the series opener was suspended after just one inning due to
Radio Broadcast of the Week: May 18, 2018
The Stone Crabs hosted the Jupiter Hammerheads on May 18, 2020. Two-way player Brendan McKay made his High-A pitching debut following a rehab start from Nathan Eovaldi! Listen to the broadcast here.
Strotman, Whitley safe and eager in quarantine
March 12 was the day that sports stood still. The NBA postponed its season and the NCAA cancelled March Madness. The baseball world was on pins and needles as teams continued to gear up for Opening Day - which was just two weeks way.While the Tampa Bay Rays hosted the
STONE CRABS COMPLETE BEST SEASON IN FRANCHISE HISTORY
In a season defined by historically dominant pitching and a team that reached new heights, the 2019 Stone Crabs saw the best campaign in franchise history cut short by the threat of Hurricane Dorian.Despite the abrupt end, the Stone Crabs set new franchise records for wins (82) and winning percentage
Tommy Romero named FSL Pitcher of the Year
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 29, 2019) - Stone Crabs starting pitcher Tommy Romero has been named the 2019 Florida State League Pitcher of the Year, the league office announced Thursday.Romero becomes the first pitcher in Charlotte history to earn the honor outright, after Jake Faria shared the award with Daytona's
Hulsizer power, Smith speed lifts Crabs past Frogs 4-3
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 27, 2019) - Niko Hulsizer homered and drove in the winning run Tuesday, and Michael Smith's speed did the rest in the Stone Crabs' 4-3 win over the Florida Fire Frogs at Charlotte Sports Park.In a tie game in the bottom of the eighth, Smith and
Fire Frogs catch Crabs 5-4 in 10
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 26, 2019) - Garrett Whitley and Jake Palomaki both picked up multiple hits Monday, but the Florida Fire Frogs pulled out a 5-4 win in 10 innings at Charlotte Sports Park.With the game tied 4-4 in the top of the tenth, Florida (53-80, 28-39) left fielder
Stone Crabs sweep Threshers with third straight shutout
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 25, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs celebrated their division championship with their third straight shutout win over the Clearwater Threshers, an 8-0 blanking at Charlotte Sports Park Sunday.Michael Plassmeyer (7-2) needed only 47 pitches to go five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while striking
STONE CRABS CLINCH SECOND HALF DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 24, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs have clinched the second half championship in the Florida State League South, earning their fifth postseason appearance in the franchise's 11-year history. The Stone Crabs' (79-51, 43-20) 5-0 win over the Clearwater Threshers Saturday night at Charlotte Sports clinched
Stone Crabs shut out Clearwater 3-0
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 23, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs snapped a three-game skid with a 3-0 blanking of the Clearwater Threshers at Charlotte Sports Park Friday, giving themselves a chance to clinch the division title Saturday.Friday's shutout win gives the Stone Crabs' (78-51, 43-30) a 7.5 game lead
Miracle sweep Stone Crabs with 5-2 win
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 22, 2019) - The Fort Myers Miracle scored five runs in the first three innings and never looked back, sweeping the Stone Crabs with a 5-2 win at Hammond Stadium Thursday.The Miracle (71-55, 32-28) didn't waste time getting the offense going against Charlotte (77-51, 42-20) starter
Late comeback falls short in 7-5 loss to Miracle
FORT MYERS, Fla. (August 21, 2019) - Wander Franco reached base four times and the Stone Crabs mounted a late comeback, but the Fort Myers Miracle held on for a 7-5 win at Hammond Stadium.With Charlotte (77-50, 42-19) trailing 7-3 entering the ninth inning, Zac Law singled to start the
Fort Myers outlasts Stone Crabs 6-5 in 13
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 20, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs got excellent pitching for 12 innings Tuesday, but the Fort Myers Miracle broke through for three runs in the 13th to beat Charlotte 4-1 at Charlotte Sports Park.Charlotte (77-49, 42-18) starter Cristopher Sanchez struck out six batters over 4.1
Stone Crabs sweep St. Lucie with 5-2 comeback win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 18, 2019) - Niko Hulsizer and Brandon Lowe led the Charlotte Stone Crabs to a 5-2 comeback win over the St. Lucie Mets Sunday, giving the Stone Crabs a commanding 6.5 game lead in the division race.With Charlotte (77-48, 42-17) leading the FSL South by 3.5
Hippies halt St. Lucie 8-1
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 17, 2019) - The Charlotte Harbor Hippies overwhelmed the St. Lucie Mets 8-1 at Charlotte Sports Park Saturday, earning Charlotte the highest second-half win total in franchise history.The Stone Crabs (76-48, 41-17), renamed the "Hippies" this weekend to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Woodstock, surpassed the
Gomez breaks home run record in 7-0 win
PORT CHARLOTTE, Fla. (August 16, 2019) - Moises Gomez broke the Stone Crabs' single-season home run record Friday, extending Charlotte's lead in the division with a 7-0 win over the St. Lucie Mets at Charlotte Sports Park.The Stone Crabs' (75-58, 40-17) win ties the franchise record for second half wins,
Daytona drops Stone Crabs 5-0
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 15, 2019) - The Charlotte Stone Crabs couldn't solve Ryan Lillie and the Daytona Tortugas pitching staff Thursday, getting shut out 5-0 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Lillie (3-7) struck out eight batters over six scoreless innings to earn Daytona (59-62, 24-32) a four-game split with Charlotte (74-48,
Whitley homers in 2-1 loss to Daytona
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 14, 2019) - Garrett Whitley homered Wednesday, but the Daytona Tortugas ended the Stone Crabs' eight game-winning streak with a 2-1 win at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.Whitley's solo home run in the top of the seventh represented the only scoring for Charlotte (74-47, 39-16). With two outs, Whitley
Stone Crabs blow out Daytona 13-2 to take eighth straight
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 13, 2019) - Ronaldo Hernandez matched a career high with five RBI and delivered his eighth home run of the year Tuesday, leading the Stone Crabs to a 13-2 win over the Daytona Tortugas at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.The Charlotte (74-46, 39-15) win is their second most lopsided
Plassmeyer dazzles in 3-2 win in Daytona
DAYTONA, Fla. (August 12, 2019) - Michael Plassmeyer spun seven outstanding innings and the Stone Crabs broke a tie in the ninth inning Monday, taking the first game from the Daytona Tortugas 3-2 at Jackie Robinson Ballpark.Plassmeyer did not allow an earned run over seven innings, striking out six while