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.
Tortugas Unveil Full 2025 Promotional Schedule
PRINTER-FRIENDLY SCHEDULE FULL SCHEDULE AND TICKETS DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—The Daytona Tortugas have unveiled their full promotional schedule for their tenth season of play at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. The season will be highlighted by the return of several popular theme nights and daily promotions from previous seasons, plus new and exciting
Tortugas Announce 2025 Coaching Staff
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—In conjunction with the Cincinnati Reds, the Daytona Tortugas announced their coaching and support staff for the 2025 season on Monday afternoon. Manager Willie Harris joins the Tortugas for his first season in Daytona and his first season back in the Reds organization. The 46-year-old most recently served
Daytona Tortugas Release 2025 Schedule
PRINTABLE VERSION DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—In conjunction with the Florida State League and Major League Baseball, the Daytona Tortugas have released their schedule for the 2025 season, the historic tenth season of Tortugas baseball. The Tortugas are scheduled to play 132 games: 66 home and 66 away. They will open the
Nestor Lorant Honored as Florida State League Pitcher of the Year
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—After an outstanding 2024 season, right-hand pitcher Nestor Lorant was named Florida State League Pitcher of the Year on Thursday. Lorant enjoyed a tremendous season on the mound, going 8-3 with a 1.44 ERA in 22 games (seven starts), with 99 strikeouts against just 22 walks over 87.2
Tortugas Bounced Out of Playoffs as Curtain Closes on 2024
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals blasted a tie game wide open with an eight-run fifth inning as the Daytona Tortugas were bounced from the Florida State League playoffs as they were routed 11-2 to bring the 2024 season to a close. Palm Beach (2-0, 83-47) punched their ticket to the
Palm Beach Pummels Daytona Early to Take Series Lead
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Yerlin Confidan doubled, homered, and scored twice, but the Palm Beach Cardinals scored five runs over the first innings and opened the Florida State playoffs by defeating the Daytona Tortugas 8-3 on Tuesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Palm Beach (1-0, 83-47) stroked 11 hits and turned three
Tortugas Walk Into Postseason on Henley’s Walk-off Walk
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Kyle Henley’s walk-off walk capped off the 2024 regular season as the Daytona Tortugas finished their final contest before the playoffs with a 2-1 victory over the Bradenton Marauders at Jackie Robinson Ballpark on Sunday night. Daytona overcame a season-high 16 runners left on base to finish the
Stovall’s Walk-Off Lifts Tortugas to Game Two Win in DH Split
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas were three outs away from being swept in a doubleheader, but Peyton Stovall’s walk-off sacrifice fly capped off a three-run seventh as the Daytona Tortugas bounced back from a 10-5 loss in a suspended game to take game two 5-4 over the Bradenton Marauders on
Tortugas Punch Playoff Ticket Amidst Suspended Game
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—The Bradenton Marauders stormed in front with a five-run third in what was scheduled to be a Friday night doubleheader, but the Daytona Tortugas were the ones celebrating as a Jupiter Hammerheads loss sent Daytona to the postseason amidst a rain-soaked night that saw game one suspended and
Daytona and Bradenton Washed Out on Thursday
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Thursday night’s contest between the Daytona Tortugas and the Bradenton Marauders has been postponed due to rain. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader of two seven-inning games on Friday, September 6. The first game will start at 5:00 p.m. with the second contest
Stovall Stellar, But Comeback Bid Falls Short
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Peyton Stovall recorded the first three-hit game of his career, but the Daytona Tortugas came up just short in an attempt to erase a pair of five-run deficits as they fell 8-6 to the Bradenton Marauders on Wednesday night at Jackie Robinson Ballpark. Bradenton (24-38, 53-75) slugged four
Tortugas Start Final Week With a Bang; Win 7-2
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla—Peyton Stovall had two hits, two steals, and an RBI, while Yerlin Confidan and Esmith Pineda drove in two runs apiece as the Daytona Tortugas kicked off the final series of the regular season with a 7-2 victory over the Bradenton Marauders. Daytona (31-27, 62-62) stole a season-high
Tortugas and Cardinals Cancelled on Sunday
JUPITER, Fla—The Daytona Tortugas and Palm Beach Cardinals were cancelled on Sunday afternoon due to rain currently falling and an unfavorable forecast for the afternoon. As the game was the final regular season matchup between the two squads, the contest is officially cancelled and will not be made up. This
Tortugas Fall on Rain-Soaked Saturday
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals and Daytona Tortugas waited nearly two hours to throw the first pitch, but the Cardinals broke the game open with a seven-run fifth in a 12-1 rout over the Tortugas on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (41-17, 78-46) pounded out seven
Tortugas Tamed in 4-1 Setback
JUPITER, Fla—The Palm Beach Cardinals held the Daytona Tortugas to just one run on seven hits as the Tortugas fell for a second night in a row, dropping a 4-1 decision on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (39-17, 77-46) officially clinched the second half FSL East
Stafura’s Three Hits Can’t Overcome Early Hole
JUPITER, Fla—Sammy Stafura stroked three hits, but the Palm Beach Cardinals built a six-run cushion thanks to a five-run third inning and cruised to an 8-3 victory over the Daytona Tortugas on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Palm Beach (39-17, 76-46) evened the series behind the big third
Tortugas' Final Homestand of 2024 to Feature Elly De La Cruz Bobblehead, Copa de la Diversion, Fan Appreciation
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The Daytona Tortugas will return to Jackie Robinson Ballpark Monday September 2nd, to begin their final homestand of the 2024 regular season against the Bradenton Marauders, the Single-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Among the highlights of the six contests are four college nights for Daytona-area
Brutti’s Hitless Start, Cabrera’s Homer Lead Game Two Win in DH Split
JUPITER, Fla—A late rally fell short in the first game, but Ben Brutti spun 5.0 hitless innings and Ricardo Cabrera crushed a tie-breaking homer as the Daytona Tortugas bounced back from a 4-3 defeat in game one with a 3-1 victory in the second contest over the Palm Beach Cardinals.
Dualvert Dazzles as Tortugas Out-Duel Cardinals 2-0
JUPITER, Fla—Dualvert Gutierrez spun 4.0 strong innings in relief and Luke Hayden finished it off with his first career save as the Daytona Tortugas edged the Palm Beach Cardinals 2-0 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (29-23, 60-58) began a critical seven-game series on the right foot,
Series Ends on Sour Note in 6-0 Shutout
JUPITER, Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored in each of the first four innings and the Daytona Tortugas were held to just three hits as Jupiter took the series final 6-0 on Sunday afternoon at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter (25-27, 61-57) stroked 11 hits and handed Daytona (28-23, 59-58) their first
Tortugas Can’t Overcome Early Big Inning in Saturday Setback
JUPITER, Fla—The Jupiter Hammerheads scored five runs in the bottom of the second and kept the Daytona Tortugas at arms length the rest of the way as the Tortugas saw their four-game winning streak come to an end on Saturday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Jupiter (24-27, 60-57) snapped
New Faces Come Up Clutch in Comeback 2-1 Win
JUPITER, Fla—Ryan McCrystal swatted an RBI double in his first career two-hit game and Trent Hodgdon nailed down a gritty six-out save in his professional debut as the Daytona Tortugas pulled in front in the eighth inning to defeat the Jupiter Hammerheads 2-1 on Friday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet
Tortugas Score Twice in Ninth to Steal 2-1 Victory
JUPITER, Fla—After eight scoreless innings offensively, the Daytona Tortugas scratched across two runs in the top of the ninth inning to steal a 2-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Thursday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (27-21, 58-56) won their third straight game in the series as Jupiter
Almonte’s Blast, Stovall’s Strong Debut Pace 7-1 Victory
JUPITER, Fla—Ariel Almonte crushed his 20th home run of the season while Peyton Stovall tripled and reached base three times in his professional debut as the Daytona Tortugas led wire-to-wire in a 7-1 victory over the Jupiter Hammerheads on Wednesday night. Daytona (26-21, 57-56) took advantage of five Jupiter (23-25,
Big Nights at the Plate, On the Mound Pace 12-1 Rout to Open Trip
JUPITER, Fla—Ricardo Cabrera, Yerlin Confidan, and Malvin Valdez all have multiple hits and RBIs, while Adrian Herrera spurned any chance of a comeback with 4.0 scoreless innings as the Daytona Tortugas routed the Jupiter Hammerheads 12-1 on Tuesday night at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium. Daytona (25-21, 56-56) bounced back from