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.
Dodgers Announce Full 2025 Loons Coaching Staff
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons, in conjunction with the Los Angeles Dodgers, are excited to announce the team’s 2025 coaching staff. Second-year Loons’ manager Jair Fernandez will be joined by pitching coaches Sean Coyne and Eduardo Dominguez, hitting coach Kevin LaChance, and bench coach Joe Thon. Sean Coyne,
Great Lakes Loons Announce 2025 Promotional Schedule: Bigger, Better, Packed with Fan-Favorites, New Surprises!
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons are excited to announce the 2025 Promotion Schedule that includes an incredible lineup of promotions, theme nights, and special appearances. Fans flocking to Dow Diamond can look forward to unforgettable moments all season long. Highlights for the 2025 Promotional Schedule include: Star Wars
Jair Fernandez Returns as Loons Manager for 2025 Season
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons in conjunction with the Los Angeles Dodgers have named Jair Fernandez as their manager for the 2025 season. Fernandez will manage Great Lakes for the second straight season. Jair Fernandez is the 11th manager in the Loons' 18-year history and the fourth to
Michigan Baseball Foundation Grant Application Available Now
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Michigan Baseball Foundation (MBF) is pleased to announce the opening of the 2025 Grant Application today, November 15th, 2024. Grants are available for registered 501(c)(3) organizations that focus on youth-related activities or economic development. Applications must be for specific projects or initiatives the organization is undertaking
DOW DIAMOND HOSTS FIRST-EVER FIELD OF FRAMES FEST
MIDLAND, MI – Dow Diamond, home of the Great Lakes Loons, is thrilled to announce the debut of the Field of Frames Fest for September 26-28 2025, a dynamic and groundbreaking gaming and entertainment festival set to bring together gamers, esports enthusiasts, families, and industry professionals from across the region.
Loons Cap Season with 6-5 Win Over Dragons
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (69-61) (35-29) held off the Dayton Dragons (74-57) (40-25) winning 6-5 in the season finale on a windy 69-degree partly cloudy Sunday afternoon at Dow Diamond. - Three Loons walks tallied their first run in the first inning. Sean McLain’s bases-loaded base on
Loons Shutout Dragons 3-0 in Final Night Game of 2024
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (68-61) (34-29) struck out 12 Dayton Dragons (74-56) (40-24) in a dominant 3-0 win on a windy 60-degree sunny Saturday night at Dow Diamond. Jose Rodriguez finished six innings, a career-best, striking out five. The right-hander did not permit a hit, walking two.
Romero K’s 10, Loons Lose 4-1
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (67-61) (33-29) and the Dayton Dragons (74-56) (40-24) each struck out 13 times with a three-run three-hit inning propelling Dayton to a 4-1 win on windy 60-degree cloudy Friday night at Dow Diamond. - Josue De Paula scored the game’s first run with
Loons Strikeout 15 Dragons in 7-0 Shutout Victory
MIDLAND, Mich. –Great Lakes Loons (67-60) (33-28) pitching struck out 15 Dayton Dragons (73-56) (39-24) batters in a 7-0 win on an 84-degree partly cloudy Thursday night at Dow Diamond. - The Loons 7-0 win is their sixth shutout win of the season. Three have come in the last 21
Five-Run Fourth Inning Catapults Loons to 6-3 Win
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (66-60) (32-28) tallied five runs in the fourth inning to take the eventual final, a 6-3 win over the Dayton Dragons (73-55) (39-23) 6-3 on a 78-degree clear Wednesday night at Dow Diamond. - The Loons converted back-to-back two-out hits to grab a
Dragons Down Loons 1-0, Clinch Second-Half Playoff Spot
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (65-60) (31-28) allowed one unearned run off one hit but were shutout by the now Midwest League East 2nd Half champion Dayton Dragons (73-53) (39-22) 1-0 on a 71-degree sunny Labor Day Monday afternoon at Dow Diamond. - Peter Heubeck was excellent going
Cubs Shutout Loons 2-0, Split Series
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – Both the South Bend Cubs (50-76) (23-36) and Great Lakes Loons (65-57) (31-26) pitching staffs struck out 12, with a Cubs homer and Loons wild pitch the difference in a 2-0 South Bend win on a 71-degree clear skied Sunday night at Four Winds Field. -
Ramirez’s Grand Slam Gives Cubs Walk-off Win over Loons
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – After nine scoreless innings and down to their final strike across three different batters, South Bend Cubs (48-76) (21-36) left fielder Pedro Ramirez launched a grand slam to beat the Great Lakes Loons (65-56) (31-24) 4-1 in 10 innings on a 84-degree cloudy Friday night at
McLain’s Homer & Martinez’s 3 Ks Gets Great Lakes 6-4 Win in 12 Innings
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Great Lakes Loons (65-56) (31-24) held the South Bend Cubs (47-76) (20-36) scoreless in all three extra innings, with a Sean McLain two-run homer in the twelfth, the difference in a 6-4 win in 12 innings on an 87-degree partly cloudy Thursday night at Four
Three-Run 11th Inning Gets Loons Past Cubs 6-3 in Extra-Inning Epic
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Great Lakes Loons (64-56) (30-24) produced a three-run rally in the eleventh to push past the South Bend Cubs (47-75) (20-35) 6-3 in 11 innings on a 84-degree partly cloudy Wednesday night at Four Winds Field. - In the eleventh inning, Great Lakes pushed across
Loons Top Cubs in Shootout 12-7 In Rain-Shortened Contest
SOUTH BEND, Ind. – The Great Lakes Loons (63-56) (29-24) tallied 14 hits and 12 runs before being halted by rain, defeating the South Bend (73-46) (31-22) 12-7 in eight innings on a 94-degree partly cloudy Tuesday night at Four Winds Field. - The Loons padded their lead with two
Timber Rattlers Split Series, Win 5-2 Over Loons
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (62-56) (28-24) went 0-for-9 with runners in scoring position dropping a series finale to the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (73-46) (31-22) 5-2 on a 85-degree sunny Sunday afternoon at Dow Diamond. - Wisconsin was worst with runners in scoring position, going 0-for-14. Their first
Loons Blank Timber Rattlers 7-0
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (62-55) (28-23) plated seven runs in the fifth inning, all they needed in a 7-0 shutout victory over the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (72-46) (30-22) on a 82-degree clear Saturday night at Dow Diamond. - Payton Martin went five innings, his fifth instance in
Wisconsin Routs Great Lakes 14-1
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Pepinillos Picantes del Norte (61-55) (27-23) were dominated by the Cascabeles de Wisconsin (72-45) (30-21) 14-1 on a 78-degree clear Friday night at Dow Diamond. - Wisconsin’s first three batters reached. Luis Lara led off the game with a single, and Cooper Pratt then homered. -
Timber Rattlers Snap Loons Five-Game Win Streak, Win 5-4
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (61-54) (27-22) took a lead into the ninth inning, but the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (71-45) (29-21) rallied for two runs to take it 5-4 on a 76-degree clear Thursday night at Dow Diamond. - Josue De Paula for the second time this week,
Loons Win Fourth in a Row, De Paula Drives in Two
MIDLAND, Mich. – The Great Lakes Loons (60-53) (25-21) late offensive surge topped the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers (70-44) (28-20) 4-2 on a clear 69-degree Tuesday night at Dow Diamond. - Wisconsin scored the game’s first run in the first inning. Three straight reached with two outs, with a Jadher Areinamo
DOW DIAMOND PROTECTIVE NETTING EXTENDED
MIDLAND, MI – The Great Lakes Loons are pleased to announce a significant safety enhancement at Dow Diamond. Starting with the upcoming homestand on August 20th, the protective netting will be extended to cover the left and right field bullpens, further ensuring the safety of guests. This extension follows new
Final Two Loons-Captains Games in Series Cancelled
EASTLAKE, Ohio. – The Great Lakes Loons (59-53) (25-21) and Lake County Captains (65-47) (24-22) Saturday night game that was suspended due to heavy rain and Sunday’s scheduled series finale have been canceled due to wet grounds. At the time of the suspension on Saturday, Great Lakes was up 3-0
Tonight’s Loons Game Suspended, Slated to Finish Tomorrow
EASTLAKE, Ohio. – The Great Lakes Loons (59-53) (25-21) and Lake County Captains (65-47) (24-22) Saturday night game was suspended due to heavy rain at Classic Auto Group Park. The game was delayed in the bottom of the second with the Loons up 3-0. Tomorrow Sunday, August 18th, will see
Loons Win Third Straight, Meador Goes Six Innings and Nevin Drives in Two
EASTLAKE, Ohio. – The Great Lakes Loons (59-53) (25-21) grabbed their third straight win behind a Jacob Meador six-inning outing and the top three in the Loons order reaching base 10 times in a 5-2 victory over the Lake County Captains (65-47) (24-22) on a rainy 75-degree Friday night at